Quiet House

We've noticed that Orchard House has been quieter then normal over the past 24 hours. This is because the majority of our Year 10's and Year 11's have escaped to the South Downs as part of their Duke of Edniburgh Award and we've been sent a photo from out in the field...well from a supermarket! It looks like Orchard's Sam Cooke, Will Janes and Ruaridh Sheppard have some serious eating activities planned.

End of Term Carol Service

Now the College has grown to 400 pupils we are faced with an excess demand for seats at the End of Term Carol Service. In order to fit into St Mary’s this year, the college is asking to limit yourselves to one parent per pupil except for Year 13 parents.

Mr Jones, Deputy Head writes: "I am sorry that we have to manage numbers in this manner and we will be considering other options for 2013."

Charity Walk Update

Although some money is still to come in, Orchard has handed over a fantastic total of 3518.00 pounds to our chosen charities. Well done to all involved and a big thanks to all those who gave so generously!

Thank You

We'd like to thank all those Orchard parents and boys, that very generously donated items to the Harvest Festival Collection. There was a very impressive pile of tins and packets stacked up in our hall way on Saturday morning. The Drop in Centre Reading will be very happy we're sure!

Orchard Flying High

Earlier in the week we saw the Year 9 and 10 boys romp to victory in the Junior House Football competition and on Saturday it was the Senior boys turn, with a comprehensive set of victories over the other houses in the Senior Rugby matches.

Harvest Festival Service

All are welcome to join us at the College harvest festival service, which will be held this Sunday 7th October at 7:30pm in the church.

As in previous years, we will be supporting the Churches in Reading Drop-in Centre which supports homeless and vulnerable people, particularly the young.

If you would like to make a donation, they would particularly like the following items:
Tinned Meat
Breakfast Cereals
Coffee
Sugar
Marmite
Chocolate spread
Squash
Tinned peas, carrots, custard or soup
Salad Cream
Peanut butter
Biscuits
Bottles of handwash

These items can be delivered to matron in house or to the Rev directly.

Canoe Star...

One Orchard boy who is making a splash outside school, is Year 9's Ollie Walker. Not only did he canoe the 20 mile route of the charity walk, he has also been busy competing in the Hasler National Canoe Finals on the Thames.

He had qualified for Division 8 K2 and pairing his usual Reading Canoe Club partner finished a credible 6th place. This is a great result, particularly as they were probably the youngest crew in their division. Well done Ollie.