Welcome Back!

The Headmaster, Mr Tyrone Howe gave a motivational speech this morning during the first live streamed whole school assembly of the Summer Term, to welcome pupils back after the Easter break.

During his speech, he paid tribute to Shiplake’s very own ‘Captain Tom’, School Secretary, Mrs Sue Arpino who celebrates 30 years working today. He said: “Sue is the pillar of the Shiplake Community and I have been struck by her calmness and reliability during my time here, nothing is too much trouble. Thank you Sue, for being the glue that holds us all together.”

He then passed on to Revd Briggs for today’s prayer.

Following this, Year 11 pupil, Henry Kunzig, read the poem, The Man in the Glass by Dale Wimbrow:

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

 For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

 You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.

Mr Howe went on to talk about the interesting and meaningful challenge the poem conveys, and how we should always approach a task with ‘honesty, passion and integrity’. He referred to his time as a professional rugby player and how he and his team mates used to prepare for a big match. The idea being that we all prepare differently when approaching something that we need to try our best for. However, only you will know if you have given it your all. Will you be able to look yourself in the eye in the mirror and give that ‘knowing nod’ that you have done the best you can do? You can possibly bluff others, but you can’t bluff yourself and only you will know. With only eight weeks until the end of the academic year, Mr Howe promised to ask the question again when the term is over.

After this inspiring talk, Mr Howe praised the teachers for all their hard work and commitment over the Easter break in preparation for the Summer Term.  This includes the programme for distance learning, the Year 13 ShipShape programme, the new Sports website, and the Co-Curricular website, which were all sent to parents over the weekend:

• Programme of Distance Learning Summer 2020 
• ‘ShipShape’ Year 13 Enrichment Programme
• Sports Website
• Co-Curricular Website  

Mr Jones then introduced Year 13 singers, Bobby Howard-Jones, Ellen Hodson and Emily Booth, accompanied by Mr Curran on the piano who performed the much-loved hymn, Shine Jesus Shine.

At the end of assembly, Mr Howe asked all pupils to start every day with a positive attitude, care and commitment and signed off with: “The Shiplake way is we work really hard, but we do it with a smile on our faces. That starts today.”