Friday Night Lights!

Match report: Merchant Taylor’s First XV

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Shiplake College First XV

On the 22^nd of November, Shiplake College’s first XV played a tough rugby game against Merchant Taylors’ first XV under flood-lights.

Shiplake sprinted onto the pitch from the changing rooms and got ready to kick off. Merchant Taylor’s didn’t look like they were ready for the Shiplake onslaught. Right from the kick off Shiplake piled on the pressure forcing the Merchant Taylors’ defense into an early penalty. Our captain, Alex Collis (Orchard Y13) decided to kick for goal. Toby Howe (Orchard Y12) was to take the kick. Unluckily for him he missed the kick which allowed Merchant Taylors’ an early advantage and the first try of the game. They took an early lead 0-7 to the opposition.

With some more consistent pressure from Shiplake, mistakes were made by Merchant Taylors’; the ball was loose, picked up by Bodie Dean (Skipwith Y13) and this gave Shiplake a lifeline. An excellent try by Bodie Dean followed by a conversion kick by Toby Howe leveled the score.

Jake Long (Burr 13) with a powerful hand-off broke through the opposition’s defense allowing him a comfortable try under the posts. Another conversion kick took the half time score to 14-7. Shiplake were now in a commanding position.

Second half was full of surprises. Alex Collis the skipper got himself a yellow card and was sent-off for ten minutes. This did not deter Shiplake, Jake Long and Fili Savou (Burr Y11) both scored again, the final score being 33 – 7. A convincing win for the mighty Shiplake!

Match Report by James Dinsdale

 (Orchard Y11)

It's somebody's birthday.....

Registration took on a different format on Wednesday 27^th November in Orchard House. All the boys lined the stairs and clapped their House Master into the Pavilion. Here he was greeted by a trumpet fanfare to the tune of Happy Birthday.  There was much speculation about the House Master’s age, but unlike the date of his birth this is still a closely guarded secret. Happy Birthday Mr Curtis from all the pupils and staff of Orchard House.

Orchard News!

Typhoon

On Monday Shiplake College had a mufti day to raise money for people affected by the typhoon in the Philippines last month.

We have raised over 800 pounds so far with all the staff and students taking part for a donation.

We hope that the money raised will be helpful for their community, and gave us a chance to contribute to the tragedy that so many people need help with.

The College Charity Steering Group‘s first plan was to have this mufti day and raise money to help this cause quickly whilst the need was great.

Ben & Alex

CCF Inspection

On Wednesday the bi annual inspection took place.

A high ranking officer from the territorial army  (Lt Col. Ladd) arrived in his smart attire to greet the Shiplake College CCF and he was met with the utmost respect from all of the students in the school. They put on a display specifically for him, where they would show off exactly what the CCF  does – this was important since the MOD have to check what the budget was spent on.

The army cadets went on a blank firing exercise in the new field, showing all they had learned of contact drills in the past year. The Officer was "Hugely impressed" by our display of firepower and talked to us about how he was in the combined cadet force.  The cadets told me that they were inspired by the army and all the selfless work that they carry out on a day to day basis. A marvellous day for all in the CCF I'm sure you will agree.

Oliver (CCF Army Section)

Anti Bullying Week

11 Shocking Facts About Cyber Bullying

Nearly 43% of kids have been bullied online. 1 in 4 has had it happen more than once.

70% of students report seeing frequent bullying online.

Over 80% of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying.

68% of teens agree that cyber bullying is a serious problem.

81% of young people think bullying online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.

90% of teens who have seen social-media bullying say they have ignored it. 84% have seen others tell cyber bullies to stop.

Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.

Girls are about twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying.

About 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 4 out 10 say it has happened more than once.

About 75% have visited a website bashing another student.

Bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide.

Reseach by Ed

Junior house rugby 2013

 Junior House Rugby 2013 started off with orchard playing their first match against Welsh who were not going to be an easy side but we came out with a 15-0 victory boosted confidence and hope of another win. 

Our second side were Everett who we knew were a tough side but we came out with a strong win of 10-0 after a very physical match but we didn’t let ourselves down and staying strong we got ready for the third match.

  

We stood confident on the pitch awaiting Skipwith B to arrive. We played a very fast and non stop game to come out with a 25-0 score. Full of confidence we we’re ready for Skipwith A, which we knew would not be an easy match.

Skipwith A; After a very tough, harsh and brutal 7 minutes with both side making some very hard hits and some great runs but it was Orchard to come out with a final score and win of 5-0.

The final match we played was a strong Burr house but ready full of confidence and energy we were were keen for kick off. With some great, strong running for orchard we penetrated the Burr defense multiple times but unfortunately with some spills we could only manage a 10-0 win in the space of 7 minuets.

Well done to everyone who played for another Junior House Rugby win with a great side who didn't even concede and thank you to all of the teachers and referees who put a great afternoon and well organized afternoon together and was enjoyed by everyone who took part.

Written by Conor Crowe

Duke of Edinburgh Expedition

During half term most of year 10 went on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition.

Here is Oli Walker’s Diary of the trip.

Our first night

We were excited for the coming days but also preparing for blisters and tiredness. We camped at a scout camp which was around eleven miles from a second camping point in the middle of a field. There were two routes to take my group which contained six of us all doing the clock wise route for the first day of walking. Many of us, on the first night got little rest and sleep. 

On the first day of walking it was both windy and wet with the occasional thunder storm! At one point my team got lost. However throughout the day, the clockwise route got easier and simpler to follow. At the second camp campsite my group were the fourth team to get back, which was surprising considering the clockwise route is around 2 miles longer than the anti-clockwise route. As we unpacked the two tents we were disappointed to find that because of heavy rain the tents were soaked on the outside and partially on the inside, along with strands of mud and hay. Meaning we were in for a wet evening too!

As the night drew in a double rainbow appeared before more grey clouds once again blinded the sunlight. Many of us on the second night slept easier but also wrapped ourselves in all our dry clothes for the next day of walking.

On the final day of walking, my group was mentally prepared to walk the final 9 miles back to the original scout camp; the first down side was that our shoes were sodden with mud and rain water. The walk was simple but only because we mainly followed the River which seemed to stretch for years, at the end of the walk, my group was the first to reach the end, finally!

We all had a great time on the trip and it was definitely a worthwhile experience! We look forward to our next expedition!  

Armistice Day

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Shiplake College students stood in two minutes silence reflecting upon the sacrifices of others. A near faultless display by trumpeter Gregory Holt added a certain poignancy to the morning’s proceedings; the clarity of his notes reverberating around the College grounds and hanging in the damp, grey skies. A moving tribute to say the very least . . .