SW England U16 trial

Congratulations to Max Chandler who has been selected for the South West of England 16’s group Divisional development and trials day on December 15th. One of only four players from Oxfordshire, a great achievement and we all wish him well.

William Tse and James Baker recently spent a day with the RN CCF section visiting Portsmouth Historic Docks as part of their Proficiency training. The morning was spent visiting the Royal Navy Museum and in particular the Nelson exhibition hall. Undoubtedly the Royal Navy’s most influential and famous leader, exhibits ranged from his dress uniforms, through letters home from far flung ports to locks of his hair, shaved after he fell at the battle of Trafalgar. Unfortunately HMS Victory itself was closed for refurbishment, so next stop was Action Stations. A converted Boathouse, Action Stations brings the modern Royal Navy to life. A mixture of physical challenges, simulators and technological experiments. Pictured is James enjoying the challenges of one of the largest indoor climbing towers in the country. After lunch they visited HMS Warrior the world’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship powered by steam as well as sail. Built to counter French naval developments, when launched she made every other warship obsolete.

Message from Director of Studies re Y11 and Y12/13 mocks

Dear Parents

There have been some changes to mock examination dates:

Year 11 Mocks

These will start on Monday 4^th March (after GCSE Maths Exam).

Sixth Form Mocks (AS and A2)

Monday 25^th February (straight after half term)

The bulk of the consolidation and revision for these important exams will need to take place over the Christmas holiday, with some ‘top up’ in the February half term. Teachers will be setting structured holiday work: this will appear in reports, but of course pupils will know in advance of you receiving reports what they need to do. Detailed guidance on expectations will be published in next week’s newsletter, but, broadly, pupils should expect to work for 4 – 5 hours per day for 2/3 of holiday days.

Derek Mackey

Director of Studies

GCSE Drama Performance

Drama students Donal Borg-Neal, Ben Markham and Dom Marsh performed their Theatre in Education piece at Shiplake Primary School this week. Miss Saker was pleased with how it went and singled out Donal for extra praise. ‘Performing before an audience of ten and eleven year olds is probably as nerve-wracking a task for these GCSE students as any formal examination assessment but they came through with flying colours,’ Along with the other students, and using only two props, Donal, Ben and Dom had to an educating piece of theatre for Y6 pupils. The theme of the piece was Giving Advice on Independence with the aim of educating ten and eleven year olds on how to go out with their friends and enjoy themselves whilst keeping safe.

Holland Hockey Tour

Pictured below are Myles Everett, Anthony Miarli and Chris Baker on the U16 Hockey tour to Holland. Their first game was a well-matched game against one of Rotterdam’s junior teams Shiplake took an early lead as the teams played three 20 minute thirds but by the end Rotterdam had clawed their way back into the game to win  3 – 1. A day off from Hockey gave the squad the chance to enjoy a day at the huge Efteling Theme Park and queue for some jaw-dropping rides. The second match of the mini-tour, versus an U16 team from the Wassenaar club, begun with torrential rain and both teams played some exciting attacking hockey but neither could make a key breakthrough in a high quality game. A 0  - 0 draw was a fair result in a game that neither team deserved to lose.

Action shots

Thanks to Mr Tse for some great action shots of Everett U16A players Anthony, Will, Milo and Max.

Children in Need

This Friday is Children in Need.

Everett House put forward a proposal to raise money for this worthy Children’s charity.

The Deputy Headmaster has agreed on a Non-Uniform, Mufti day this Friday, £2.00 to wear Home clothes, which will hopefully raise a good sum.

Battlefields tour

Over half term 28 Year 9 boys including Josh Hirst, Henry Birdsey and Austin Burnand went on a tour of the First World War battlefields; Josh has written the following report:

At 4 o’clock in the morning we got on the coach and headed for Dover where we got on the ferry. When we got to France we didn’t wait and we went straight on the tour of a cemetery. In our first hotel we were in 4’s and it was cramped but enjoyable. The next day we went to another cemetery where you had to pay 50 cent to go to the toilet. The second hotel was a holiday express inn and that was quite nice to stay in. The next day after going to the museum we went home and we were all loaded with Belgium chocolate.

Mr Cooksey was their guide to Langemarck, the large German cemetery, Tyne Cot, Ypres and the Menin Gate. On the second day they visited the Somme and Newfoundland Park, the Canadian memorial. On their way home they explored the trenches at Vimy ridge. All three of the Everett boys enjoyed a moving, memorable and educational trip.

Oxfordshire Rugby

Congratulations to Max Chandler who has been selected for the Oxfordshire U16 team and to Chris Baker who has been selected for the Oxfordshire U15 ‘Oxtails’. Both play games this week and we wish them well.

Y11 and Y12 CCF FIELD DAYS 14/15 NOV 2012

Full details have been sent via email, but a brief summary is as follows.

ARMY SECTION Will leave by coach at 1400 (having paraded at 1345) on the Wednesday, they will stay overnight at Pirbright (on MoD property) and return to Shiplake by approx 1630 on Thursday.

RN SECTION  & RAF SECTION, will leave as close to 0830 as possible on the Thursday. RN are visiting Portsmouth and RAF are visiting RAF Benson. Their Section Commanders will brief them on dress, etc. Packed lunches will be provided and they will be back in time for supper/onward transport. It is particularly important that the RAF cadets have correctly-completed Record of Service books.

Remembrance Sunday Service

Just a reminder that we have our Remembrance Sunday Service in the Great Hall this Sunday starting at 10.45.

It would be lovely to see as many pupils and families there as possible.

Space is often tight so please arrive in plenty of time, there will be tea and coffee after the service and representatives of the CCF and College will join members of the local Shiplake Community at the Shiplake Village Memorial after the service to lay our wreaths.

Academic effort and attainment success

Following the recent progress reviews the Headmaster gave out the following awards in Assembly this week.
Rose Parker, Jamie Mottram and Darien Patel received Academic attainment awards.
James Baker, Ben Markham, Kit Bowerin, Greg Cooke, Charlie Ward and Chris Baker received Academic effort awards.

In the Headmasters statistical analysis it was pleasing to see that the hard work of Everett House pupils was reflected in the top average effort score for all senior boarding Houses, Y9 led the way with the highest average in the House and school, but Y10 and Y11 were close and both were second place when compared to other boarding Houses. Y9 also came top in the average attainment score.

DofE Expeditions

Just before half term, nine Y10 and five Y11 set off on their DofE Bronze expedition and Silver practice expedition to the South Downs. After a quick stop at a local supermarket to stock up on provisions they set off on their first days walk to finish at the campsite. The Y10 had a second day of walking before returning to College, whilst the Y11 silvers had another night’s camp and walk. All the staff who accompanied them were happy with both their camp craft and navigation (if a little wayward at times!). I am pleased to say all the Everett pupils in Y10 and Y11 passed. Y11 will complete their expedition training in the Easter break in Brecon, whilst both year groups now have to concentrate on finishing the other two elements of the award – volunteering and skills.

Pictured are Rory O'Conor, Ben Chambers and Will Urquhart at a checkpoint on route.