Virtual Easter Service Assembly

The Headmaster, Mr Howe led an uplifting assembly this morning, as we break for the Easter Holidays.

The assembly was a virtual mixture of a normal assembly and an end of term service, with some special messages from members of staff along the way to tell pupils about some of the things they can get involved in over the Easter holidays.

He said: “This has been our second week of remote teaching and learning and we have also reintroduced many of the routines that mark the Shiplake way. Our first live streamed whole school assembly got the week off to a really positive start, tutor groups are meeting, checks are taking place and in house social get togethers are happening.

“All of these things provide a reassuring rhythm to the week. A predictability that offers a sense of security, a sense of certainty when so many other things are uncertain.

“It also allows us to continue to nurture the sense of belonging to the very special community that is Shiplake College. All of that can be summed up in one word - normality.”

The Rev and Chapel Wardens offered prayers for Easter and the coming weeks, along with a special recorded message from the Bishop of Dorchester.

Head of Art, Mr Ramsay introduced the Shiplake April Art Challenge with special guest Monty Walker, where pupils are encouraged to join in with the daily artistic activities. 

Mr Walter, Head of PE introduced the Shiplake College Virtual Park Run. Pupils, staff, parents and all members of the extended Shiplake community are invited to join the College’s Strava Club and go for their first run on Saturday 4 April.

Mr Settle, Head of Co-curricular also introduced the co-curricular activity ideas for pupils and families to get involved in over the Easter holidays. These have been shared with pupils and will be flagged on social media throughout the Easter break.

Then a selection of students (who claimed they could do a better job than the boy band from Monday’s assembly) performed a fantastic virtual version of the hymn, Bless the Lord (10,000 Reasons).

A key highlight of the assembly however, was the announcement of the Heads of College, Deputy Heads of College and Heads of Houses from September 2020. Mr Howe said he was excited about the new appointees ‘driving Shiplake to an even better place next year.’

And the positions have been awarded to:

• Heads of College – Beatrix May and James Burgess
• Deputy Heads of College – Maddie Arora and Kai O’Hare
• Burr – Angus Wood
• Everett – Ben Ferguson
• Gilson – Rada Pandeva
• Orchard – Freddie Westbrook-Burr
• Skipwith – Sam Green
• Welsh – Fyn Brown

Both James and Trixie, came onto the live stream to give their initial thoughts about being appointed to the prestigious roles.

James said: “This role is an absolute privilege and I can’t wait to get back to normality and get started.”

Trixie added: “Thank you so much. I am so pleased and excited to start my new role from next term.”

Finally Mr Howe concluded with: “We’ve been brave, we’ve been calm and we’ve stepped up when it's mattered.

“All of the staff have responded magnificently and all of the pupils have adjusted really well.

“We’ve still managed to keep a sense of togetherness going at the same time. That’s why I’m more convinced than ever that our team, our community, our family or however you wish to refer to it, will come through this period even stronger and even more together than we are already.

“Since starting as Headmaster in September, I find myself saying to so many people that there is something really special about Shiplake, I still can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but maybe it is something as simple as - it’s the people.

“So keep being strong, keep looking after each other and stick together. I wish you and your families a very happy and a very healthy Easter break.”

We’ve had wonderful feedback:

"What a simply amazing start to the day, and what a cracking assembly it was. We couldn’t be more motivated after that assembly. If I had been watching that as a parent of a Shiplake student, I would have been blown away - confirmation that I am sending my child to the right school."

"We just wanted to pass on a note of how impressed and uplifted we all were in our household this morning, after watching the morning assembly; seeing something so incredibly positive in such challenging times was quite emotional! The input from all the staff and pupils was so inspiring; seeing everyone pulling out all the stops to carry on challenging themselves and coming together in the wonderful Shiplake community. I think you are right, the school will come through this stronger than before."

"Great assembly. I loved the pupils singing."

"Such a good thing to do, thank you."

"Wow! What a fantastic end of term assembly. Congratulations to the new deputy & head chapel wardens, heads of houses and deputies & heads of college."