Houses Raise Funds for Gap Africa

We've had a flurry of activity over recent months as each House has been fundraising to sponsor a child to attend secondary school in Kenya, which is part of the GAP Africa charity, one of the College's chosen charities. Since 1996 Shiplake College has supported the Kikunduku Primary School by fundraising for capital projects, like building classrooms, with each House sponsoring one child as they make the transition to secondary school. In previous years Shiplake pupils have also travelled to Kenya to serve in the schools as part of the Expedition Society.

At present our commitment is restricted to the sponsoring of one child per House at a cost of £420 per House.

From cake sales, pizza nights and BBQs to run challenges, sponsored shaves and even a Tough Mudder challenge thrown in, each House has really pulled out the stops to raise as much money as they can. So much so that we have smashed our target, with more funds still coming come in.

Revd Chris Briggs, said: "Each House has been raising funds to support their sponsored child in Kenya. So much has been raised that the surplus will be used to build a Matron’s House at the school which will be attached to the newly built Girls’ Dormitory. Only by having this 24 hour supervision can the dormitory be used. This project is a wonderful way to support girls’ boarding education at Kikunduku."

Burr House

Burr House pupils did odd jobs such as cleaning cars, cooking, gardening and hanging the washing out, during half-term in return for funds to support Gap Africa and the Disasters Emergency Committee. In addition, five bearded Burr House staff have decided to put their necks on the line (excuse the pun) as well! The principal target is £500, and all five beards will go. But if they reach £1000, one has agreed to get their head shaved instead of their beard! The big shave will happen on the last night of term, Tuesday 28 June. Click on .the link below to see photos and progess so far.

Reach £100: bye bye to Mr Woolner's beard
Reach £200: ciao to Mr Mackworth-Praed's beard
Reach £300: adios to Mr Claridge's beard
Reach £400: Mr Wheeler will oblige
Reach £500: au revoir to Monsieur Guillaud's barbe

Sponsor Burr House

College House

College House has pledged to raise £750 to provide vital support to their sponsored Kikunduku student, Mary Mwikali. Mary is one of seven children, and the first of her siblings to get a place at high school. Her elder brothers and sister were denied this opportunity due to the lack of funds.

Mary is a hard-working student, and is doing particularly well in English and Maths, and she is a talented sportswoman, who also enjoys singing. Mary wrote to College recently: “Truly, if it were not for you, I would not have joined form 1. I promise to work hard to achieve my goals. I humbly thank you for the support you have given me.”

The target has almost been reached and the aim is that each College House family donates just £12 each (or more!). College Housemaster, Mr Jonathan Ralph, says: "We hope you agree that twelve quid is a small price to pay to secure the life chances of a child who is desperate to get a sound education so she can lift herself and her family out of poverty."

Sponsor College House

Welsh House

On Sunday 5 June, Welsh House held a BBQ and garden party in aid of Fidelia, the young Kenyan girl that they are supporting through education. The event started at 5.00pm and was a fantastic evening supported by so many of our parents. Parents enjoyed a burger and sausage (donated by the College caterer Thomas Franks) from the BBQ cooked by Head of House Sam Bourke and Mr Rose. Alongside the meat they had a fantastic selection of salads prepared by Mrs Rose, Matron and members of Welsh house alongside other salads brought in by our fantastic parents. To finish there was a choice of amazing pavlova made by Mrs Clifford or ice cream created by sixth formers Matthew Jones and Hamish Moig.

Whilst the parents ate and chatted to each other and enjoyed a cool glass of Rose or soft drink, again donated by our lovely parents, they were able to listen to Ed Houghton on the guitar followed by a DJ set from Robbie Dawson, both from the Welsh house balcony. Alongside this, the Welsh house boys were washing cars for a donation, overseen by a very wet Mr Littledale whilst Oscar Smaje and Charlie Kerrison, the 'waiters', dressed very smartly in shirt and tie sold raffle tickets to parents.

To finish an auction was held with some fantastic items that helped to raise the final total. The highlight of the auction was when auctioneer Liam Morgan managed to push the bidding for a limited edition signed Lewis Hamilton print up to a fantastic £380.

All of the Welsh House boys played a part in the organisation and the running of the day. Special mentions to Rory Campbell and Jake Scotchbrook who worked tirelessly all evening to take payments from parents.

The event managed to raise a fantastic £3,450 for charity.

Gilson House

The Gilson girls will be selling ice lollies at the Sports Festival on Monday 27 June so please ensure all pupils have some cash available!

Lower School

The Lower School held a cake sale with cakes and treats donated by parents. In total just over £400 was raised!

Mr Tom Crisford, Head of Lower School, said: "I wanted to say a massive thank you for all the donations of cakes last week. We were so grateful to receive so many cakes that were enjoyed by everyone at Shiplake.

"I am also delighted to report that we raised just over £400 which is a magnificent effort and will go a long way in sponsoring Fabbish Wambua for a year of his schooling. Thank you so much!"

Orchard House

Over the Easter Break, Mr Curtis challenged each pupil to run 70km over the holidays and raise sponsorship for their chosen Kenyan pupil. In total just over £1,000 was raised - an amazing effort!

Skipwith House

On Sunday 22 May, an intrepid team of students and staff from Skipwith House took on the Tough Mudder challenge which was held at the Henley Showgrounds near Hambleden. In total just over £1,500 was raised. Read the full story here.

Everett House

Earlier in the year, Year 13 Everett pupil who runs the business Pizza Please in his spare time, brought his recommissioned horsebox trailer to Shiplake to sell his artisan stone-baked pizzas to pupils and staff, raising £1,000 for Gap Africa. Tom returned earlier this week for a relaxed Everett social, with Mr Armstrong as his able assistant!