The last day of the academic year saw the annual Leavers' Service in the Parish Church, with the Leavers' Ball in the Prize Giving marquee that evening, as the Class of 2022 completed their time at Shiplake College, but continue their links by becoming Old Vikings and valued members of the Old Viking Society.
At the Leavers' Service each year, a leaving member of staff is asked to give the Valedictorum - or farewell address - and this year it was Mr Keith Settle who gave this heartful and exceptional speech:
"It was 14 years ago, I arrived here at Shiplake after already teaching at a day school for a few years. Suddenly I was immersed in the boarding life and was finding my feet in what seemed to be quite a unique school. Before joining, I had read an article about how one of our legendary history teachers Mr Cucksey, who is sadly no longer with us yet remembered as a consummate professional and exceptional teacher, had convinced the then headmaster, Mr Davies, to let him dig a trench in the orchard to recreate what it must have been like for soldiers in the First World War. Mr Davies and Mr Cucksey then spiced things up a bit by launching fireworks and bangers during the night to keep the students, who were sleeping in the trench, on their toes. I thought this is the place for me - they’re clearly up for a bit of fun. True enough when I first got here, as a fresh assistant in Welsh House I found myself briefing the new Year 9s on how they were going to be shipped over to the island for a night, to sleep under a tarpaulin and build camp fires to cook their own food… and no it wasn’t a joke.
Shiplake hasn’t disappointed in making life fun for staff and students. I remember the time Miss Satch and I took the Year 10 rowers out to Ghent regatta. With only what seemed a week of planning, Miss Satch had booked us a ferry and off we went. Playing ‘dead ants’ in the streets of Ghent and putting the boys through as many races as we could think of, the weekend was one of those epic trips that many of you will keep memories of too, for example the now legendary trip to Dartmouth at Easter with the infamous third eight.
As the years carried on, much as we all discover ourselves and meet new people and new interests, I was lucky enough to find out so much more about this place and to extol its virtues to other people. After a brief stint as Skipwith housemaster, I then got to work on marketing the school at various events in the local area and I was lucky enough to travel the world, not only representing the school, but meeting people with links to the school especially in our Old Viking community to which we all now belong. We are fortunate to have this network of extraordinary people, who through our link with Shiplake, are happy to meet, welcome, share memories and help each other. If you have not experienced it yet, you will as you are all bonded by this place and the experiences you now share with generations of Shiplake students, just like right now.
Think for a moment of all the students who have been sitting where you are now, over the years emotionally contemplating the end of their school days. Those same students who slept on the island, did their capsize drills in the river, played games on the hallowed turf of the new field and enjoyed their meals in the setting of the Great Hall. Like you will, they all remember not realising what they would miss, until it was gone.
It’s the Old Vikings that I would like to pay tribute to in this speech, as that is what we have all become. I won’t just be taking away memories of an amazing time here and incredible experiences, but also memories of those who I have had the good fortune to meet and now call friends and in some cases, family.
Firmly in my mind I think of one of my first tutees. Corporal JB Brown of the paratroop regiment, living with his beautiful girlfriend Heather and his sweet blue Staffie, Vinnie. When I hear he’s out serving overseas, such as last year when he served in Afghanistan to rescue people from Kabul airport, I can’t help but keep hoping he comes back safely.
Toby Bownass, a rower who caused much excitement when he found his first serious girlfriend at 16 and who 13 years later has not only been a pleasure to work with as a colleague, but to then attend the wedding of Mr and Mrs Bownass, was just pure joy.
Michael Glover, who I coached as J14 and throughout his time at Shiplake. His mother, Mrs Glover, hands down, made the best brownies at every regatta. To see him win his multiple Henley medals, represent Great Britain in rowing and now start his own teaching career brings nothing but pride, and I was so grateful to him for actually being a witness to my wedding before being blessed in this very church.
Matt Godwin, who beat the odds, to secure his pass grade at GCSE maths, then with a little support from his tutor, harassed so many companies to find a job after Shiplake and went on to have a successful career in IT, earning more money than a teacher could dream of. He compliments his hard work in the office by running marathons. He had even ran 7 marathons in 7 days in his year 13 and I was delighted to be there as he crossed the finish line at the Thames Barrier in his final marathon. He recently celebrated his 1st wedding anniversary with Amber.
Miss Andrew (now Mrs Cook) and Mrs Gillings, the formidable pair who for years ran the art department and became my surrogate older (much older) sisters but who now enjoy a slower pace of life, living in a place called ‘the North’ but still very much showing off the filthiest sense of humour, utter glamour and kindness in abundance.
Richard Evans, the head groundsman who has clocked up nearly 30 years service and probably started talking to me properly after my first 5 years here (he’s that sort of guy), but whose commitment to the college and making your fields and grounds looking impeccably kept and ready for action is second to none.
Alex Hunt who for many years as housemaster of Welsh, went on to run his own company, but even after leaving remains a great friend and I was honoured to have him be an usher at my wedding along with the inimitable, the irreplaceable Mr Crisford.
I also take new memories from this cohort of leavers. Captain Gus Elliott, for his great humour and leadership of the third eight, by far the best boat to coach in the boat club. Tom Houghton for his wise words, support for his friends and tenacity in the face of adversity. James Matton, who despite apparently, in his words, was a bit of a pain for some teachers, has been a pleasure to teach maths to for the last 4 years. There is nothing more annoying in the staff room than saying ‘well he’s fine for me’, so thank you for letting me be that guy.
You won’t necessarily hear of these people on our socials, in our marketing or as part of your introduction to Shiplake, but after 14 years here, they are who I believe are the secret of what makes Shiplake ‘magic’, part of what makes Shiplake special and I hope that whilst we are here together today for this last time, you can now reflect on who you are taking with you in your hearts and minds; who will keep you rooted to this Shiplake community? Who has made Shiplake special for you? Now it is our turn to move on and join these ranks of people who have come before us. But it’s not for the better or for worse. It will just be different. Our lives will move on and we will have new adventures, but we will all forever hold this place and this community in common.
In the coming weeks, months and years we will all reflect on what we had here. After you have recovered from the leaver’s ball, Henley Regatta, the festivals and the summer parties. You might find yourself in a quiet, contemplative moment. Looking back and maybe reflecting on your school days, often regarded by those who came before as being the best of your life, I would encourage you to remember this.
Whilst you are leaving Shiplake today, Shiplake will not leave you. Cherish your memories. Keep your friends close. Remember that your network now goes beyond the current cohort of students but actually stretches out to your fellow Old Vikings going back over 60 years. Those with shared experiences, shared backgrounds, shared aspirations and shared values. For the people you take with you, take pride and an interest in their lives. Be there for them when they need you, and hope they will be there for you too.
So to conclude, who do you keep with you? What are the memories you take? Today is the day to reaffirm those in your mind and to maybe create some new memories too, there is still time.
As we all move on, we will miss this place, but never forget what and who it has given to you."
