Orchard's X-Factor

At today's Christmas lunch, each of Orchard's year groups had to perform a Christmas song of their choice and they were judged by Visiting Tutor's Mr. Gould, Dr. Snellgrove and our very own matron Julie Knight.

Despite a very high standard, Year 11 came out on top with their rendition of the Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York'.

Well done Year 11, we hope you shared your chocolate prize with everyone in the house?!

Rugby Awards 2012

The Junior and Senior rugby awards were held this week and we're proud to say that Orchard boys featured heavily in the prize-giving; from Year 13 right down to Year 9.

(above, Ed Warren delivers his Captain's Match Report)

Special mentions must go to Tom Howe and Alex Collis who won 'Players Player of the Year' and 'Coaches Player of the Year' for the 1st XV.

Other Orchard boys picking up 'Player of the Season' were Will Janes U16A, Billy Sayers U15A and George Cowley U14C.

Harry Emmanuel U14A,  Tom Williams U14B and Adib Wain U16B won 'Most Improved Player' and Ruairdh Scott was awarded 'Player with the Most Potential' for the 3rdXV.

(above, Harry Emmanuel receives his award from Head of Rugby, Mr. Beckett)

Joao Dias 2nd XV won the "Plato Plate' which is awarded to the boy who may not be the best player in the team but who gives 100% on and off the field; thus becoming a role model to younger boys.

Finally, numerous Orchard boys were key to the success of the U15C (or The Chargers as they are now known) who won 'Team of the Year 2012' as voted for by all Rugby coaching staff.

(above, Team of the Year U15Cs, including Ben Tait, Freddie Brady, Greg Holt and Mr Mallins from Orchard)

Well done to all the boys who represented Shiplake this year; it was a very successful season!

The date of a lifetime...

Yesterday's numerical significance did not go un-noticed; we've obtained this exclusive picture from  Mr. Mallins' Geography class. At 12.12pm on the 12/12/12 the class took a minute away from learning about the biosphere to reflect on this once in a lifetime moment. It was swiftly followed by cheers and applause.

For a bonus point, when will we see the date doing a similar pattern again?

Gentleman of the Year

The 'Jane Burtt, Gentleman of the Year' board is now up in the Junior Day Room.

This is a prestigious award in honour of our last matron, Jane Burtt, who retired earlier this year and it is awarded to the boys who consistently display the characteristics upheld by a true gentleman. The first winners of the prize were Joao Dias and James Dinsdale, but who will follow in their footsteps this year?

Cross Country Winners

Congratulations to all the boys and girls of Orchard House who completed the 2-mile cross country course today. All the times were added together and an average taken. We're very proud to announce that Orchard were the overall winners!

Juniors
A special mention must go to Orchard's Oscar Gutierrez and James Dinsdale who came first and third in the Junior competition. They were closely followed by their house mates George Greenaway and Jack Leigh who also made it into the Top 10!

Seniors
Matthew Herbert was Orchard's fastest senior, followed by Rob Waldron and Ben Peers (pictured above).

Girls
Maddie Newman was Orchard's fastest girl and we had no fewer than 5 girls in the Top 11; Antonia Claas, Sophie Arnold, Meg Barron-Cutts and Chloe Reeder.

Well done ORCHARD HOUSE!