On Thursday 5 May the College held Ascension Day services. It is also a special day for those leaving the College at the end of this academic year, as it heralds the annual Leavers’ Rounders match! Thank you to Deputy Head of College Anna Davies for providing the following report of what was an early but magical morning for the Shiplake leavers:
‘For those who were able to bounce out of bed at 6.00am, rather than hit snooze on the alarm clock, Thursday saw the annual Leavers’ Rounders match take place. Year 13 leavers headed to Maidensgrove together, piling into minibuses and cars in pyjamas and hoodies. The early morning took a toll on some people, but once the bracing air hit us we were ready and raring to go. To signify letting go of our sins, we began by blowing bubbles. This was thoroughly enjoyed, and therapeutic; we felt as though we were embracing our childhood again.
Then it was time for rounders to begin. Team Captain’s Dom Allen (Head Chapel Warden) and Guy Pollard (Deputy Head Chapel Warden) picked out their team members. Dom managed to get a considerable amount more team members, but once that was resolved the game was on! Dom’s team were batting first, with Dom himself leading the way. With a solid score of 11.5 rounders scored, Guy’s team were feeling the pressure. However, 1st XI cricket team captain Harry Ibbitson on Dom’s team, surely it seemed that fielding would be a breeze and they had the game in hand…until Harry showed that the transfer of skills really isn’t that easy! Once Guy’s team had all batted, with a score of 6.5 rounders, Dom’s team returned to batting to increase their lead. A particularly hard hit from Rory O’Conor stopped the match before the end, when the ball disappeared into surrounding undergrowth. However, this meant breakfast time so all was not lost!
Mrs Marion Cousins and Reverend Stephen Cousins had been preparing a magnificent spread for breakfast, including a range of fruit, croissants, sausage rolls and doughnuts. As we all gathered around the food, we were struck by the sobering thought that this would be one of the last times we would be together as a group. On behalf of Year 13, I would like to thank Mrs Cousins for organising the wonderful breakfast, the Rev for organising the event, and all of the teachers, who managed to raise themselves from bed at the early hour for the special occasion.’
