On the penultimate day of the Summer Term, pupils gathered in the prize giving marquee for the final assembly of the academic year. This gave everyone a chance to celebrate and recognise notable achievements, ahead of the main prize giving ceremony on the following day. The assembly particularly focussed on accomplishments in co-curricular domains including sport, outdoor pursuits and performing arts.
The assembly began with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award staff handing out certificates to successful pupils. Bronze award winners spent three months working on skills such as public speaking and cookery before completing a wet and windy expedition. Silver winners worked extremely hard to reach their goals but found it to be a very worthwhile experience. Gold award winners were deservedly recognised but will receive their awards later this year at Buckingham Palace from a member of the Royal family. Members of the CCF were then given their basic army certificates.
Outgoing Senior Master Mr Richard Mannix stepped up on stage to commend pupils and Houses who have behaved exceptionally this year. The Bevan Trophy is awarded to the House who were awarded the most excellence slips per pupil. In total, 3,863 excellence slips were awarded to pupils in Years 9 to 13. Skipwith came in 3rd place with 9.08 slips per pupil, last year’s winners Everett came 2nd with 11.02 while Orchard claimed the top prize with 11.70. The Graham Vick Lower School Trophy went to the Olympians who edged the Titans by just one more excellence slip per person.
Star performers across the College were Joseph Perry (Olympians, 41), Toby Gorringe (Titans, 41), Duncan Eglinton (Titans, 45), Joshua O’Hare (Olympians, 46), Will Bailey (Y9, 35), Kieran Leach (Y10, 51) and Freddy Ellis (Y11, 22).
Next, Director of Music Mr Paul Jones invited pupils who have excelled in the arts to receive commendations, half and full colours. A full list of winners can be viewed here. The Neilson Trophy, which combines the results of the inter-House Drama, Art and Music competitions, was won by Orchard House. Head of House Charlie Hancock was delighted to receive the trophy.
Director of Sport Mr Austin Kersey summarised the exploits of pupils in summer sports rowing, cricket and tennis. Our rowers’ successes have been well documented, particularly the medal-winning crews at National Schools’. Cricketers Matt Dalrymple and Miles Bridgeman put in exceptional individual performances, with best innings of 112 and 79 respectively. In tennis, Marcus Hillman and Laurenz Class made progress in the national ‘Road to Wimbledon’ competition while the College reached previously unchartered territory in the AEGON Championships. A full list of colours and award winners in tennis and cricket can be viewed here.
Rugby awards were handed out before Christmas but Alex Collis and Bodie Deane received their rugby badges. Girls’ Sport Captain Sophie Arnold was given another special mention for her outstanding contribution to sport at Shiplake. She has been an absolute credit to the College throughout her two years. Eleanor Waite has been appointed as Sophie’s successor for next year.
The results of all remaining inter-House events were revealed, with all points contributing towards the Baldry Trophy for all House sport. To cap a remarkable year for the House, this was also won by Orchard.
Deputy Headmaster Mr Rob Jones invited newly elected prefects to collect their badges and ties from the Headmaster. Congratulations to Yeem Chanthanawan (Head of College), Daniel DiGiulio, Freddie Ireland, Anthony Miarli, Charles Marsden, Will Janes, George Lawley, Sam Hallatt, Phillip Green, Charles Galligan, Tom Harman and Emma Haynes (Deputy Head of College) who will all be prefects next year. Emma Haynes also becomes Deputy Head Chapel Warden, and she joined Head Chapel Warden Barney Aldridge on stage to receive their gowns.
The final part of the service allowed pupils to bid farewell to leaving teachers, which culminated in a standing ovation for Richard Mannix.
Congratulations to all award winners and to Orchard House for their resounding and consistent successes in House events this year.
