International Women's Day 2022

Today is International Women's Day, and at Shiplake we have been talking about this year's theme #BreakTheBias. In Gilson, our girls' boarding house, the common areas have been decorated in purple (the IWD colour) and the girls have been talking about women who inspire them. 

At break-time the College's female staff and students all gathered on the Skipwith Lawn to show their support and solidarity in breaking the bias for women all over the world who face gender bias and inequality.

Yesterday Year 12 pupil Rudi O'Keeffe, who recently gave a talk on feminism to the Shiplake scholars at Masterclass Monday, gave an impassioned speech in Whole School Assembly about how brilliant girls are at Shiplake and also mentioned some great British female icons. He also used the opportunity to launch Fem Soc, our new society which will support the College's Diversity and Equality Committee.

You can read Rudi's speech here:

Inspiring, Resilient, Hardworking. These 3 words EPITOMISE the girls of Shiplake.

We only need to look at the rowing results at Henley last year to see just a taste of what the girls can do. In the few years that girls have been at Shiplake, by comparison of the age of the school, they have already made a huge impact in areas such the sciences, the arts, sports and core academic subjects.

Tomorrow is International Women's Day. This is a day for celebrating and recognising the achievements of women across the world.

We have a lot to be proud of, in terms of the achievements of strong British women.

In fact, the UK led the way in the development of the Covid vaccine due to Dame Sarah Gilbert: she co-developed the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine. However if she had gone with her instincts and fell to the pressure she faced, the latest coronavirus vaccine would never have been developed as she considered giving up on science altogether, but she persevered and pushed through and discovered something that has truly made an impact on society. I will be as bold to say we would probably not be living our new normal lives today if it wasn’t for her.

Ahead of tomorrow’s International Women’s Day, I think it’s only fitting that we use today to talk about the establishment of the Shiplake Fem Soc, which will be working in partnership with the Equality and Diversity Committee.

With Shiplake becoming a fully co-ed school in 2023 we need to ensure we can develop the most fair and inclusive school possible. To do that we need to give the girls at Shiplake a true voice, whether it's “more female toilets” or “more mixed sport”, whatever it is, Shiplake will be listening.

Girls i've spoken too love this school but still feel there are areas within the masculine attitudes that need to be changed, examples such as girls hearing sexist jokes and feeling belittled by some male peers. needs to stop and we need to educate ourselves. Even as a boy standing up here today I know I have a lot to learn.

Shiplake Fem Soc aims to achieve “acknowledgement” that equality IS part of Shiplake’s INCLUSIVE agenda and to address that girls are fully part of the Shiplake story. Having an equal role with their male peers and in all areas should be treated with the respect that they deserve. Their triumphs should be applauded now more than ever with the impacts of covid and the threats produced by Russia in recent news. We should be shoulder to shoulder in supporting each other.

Another formidable English female icon is Emma Radicanu, currently ranked number one in British tennis. She achieved what most of us can only dream of, at the age of 18 she represented her country in the sport she loves, not only did she do this but she made history in the process.

She became the the youngest Briton to win a Grand Slam title and youngest women's Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004 this is due to dedication and hard work, all the things we are lucky to be encouraged to do at Shiplake.

If anyone is interested in being part of Shiplake Fem Soc - male or female, please drop me , Mrs Magee or Mr Heaney an email. All ideas are welcome and if you're looking for stand out ideas to put on your personal statement this will be a great addition.

To conclude, Shiplake Fem Soc is open for business and I look forward to hearing from you.