The Girls' Netball season is here

The girls have played two matches so far against Leighton Park and Bearwood. As Captain Fran Nutt reports

Vs Leighton Park

Shiphup as we were known for the match took our time to settle into the first quarter, as LP placed what seemed to be goal after goal.  A nice quick pass into our D from Gracie to Liza for a goal meant that attack had kept their side of the agreement, with Bella and Claudia in defence they pressured the opposition to reduce the score to 5 for the second quarter this was helped with some smooth interception from Chesca.

After a change in positions with Zahra and Shana on court, the girls started to find our game and this could be seen in the score. We became more confident in our passing, with Olly at centre taking a number of risks which to our advantage paid off allowing us to close the score down to a neat 6 – 4 which was a major improvement in our game.

Final score = 27-7 lost

Player of the match = Olly Berry and Claudia Le Blanc

Vs Bearwood

First home game and raring to go it was nice to have support sitting on the side cheering us on, along with Mr O’Brien and Mr Edwards with his camera.

We had had to re-jiggle the team play completely, with Gracie and Liza in the goal area both of whom had a height disadvantage did well to place in goals from a varying range of distances and stances. The game was a constant yo-yo of goals with them scoring the first and us responding but they seemed to keep the advantage. It was a well-fought game and the girls gave it everything they had.

 We look forward to the rematch in March!

Final score -14-13 lost

Player of the match – whole team

Hectic start to the term!

January 2011 saw the girls hit the ground running for the start of the new Academic term.

After the Art exhibition on the opening night of term "exam season" opened early, with Maths, all the Sciences, History and Geography AS papers all in the first week. There have also been a number of looming coursework deadlines and this meant the House has been very quiet this week as the girls were all working very hard!

Their commitments continue outside the classroom too: Training for Netball is now starting in earnest as the first fixture, at home, is against Henley College on Wednesday 19th January.

The rowers are not letting the height of the river deter them as they train with the goal of putting out the first ever competitive girls VIII. Becky Vizard has been given the task of coxing and her experience should hopefully see them compete in several regattas in the summer term.

In addition, 3 girls have opted to continue to play hockey for the College, joining the boys in the 3rd and 4th XI teams.

There is still Gold D of E, AS and A2 Drama performance pieces, Babbage Society, Girls Choir, House singing competition, Theatre trips, Community Service, Communion services, History trips, English lectures and the Spring concert to come. Watch this space........................

All Souls Service

Head of House, Claudia Le Blanc, welcomed College pupils and members of the community to the annual All Souls Service on Wednesday 2nd November.
The Service is a very special one for members of both communities as those who have passed away, but are much missed, are remembered. 
Katherine Howells, Fran Nutt, Charlie Kelly and Claudia read out the names whilst Tasha Glasby, Alex Nearchou and Shana Hicks helped with the lighting and display of the candles.
The Rev Stephen Cousins spoke about how difficult it can be to lose someone you love very much. He invited all gathered to take a daffodil bulb with them on departure and plant them somewhere in their gardens so that when they blossom in the spring the special person they represent will be remembered again.

Girls top Academic lists after Progress review

Liza Anderson in Y13

and Zoe Ozwell  in Y12

topped the lists after the first progress review, beating their peers to the top spot.

Both girls were awarded Academic Honours and now have to compete to keep a place in the top three for the year group.

They were surprised that their combined effort and attainment grades were the best overall in their year group but both were also very pleased to recieve their awards from the Headmaster in assembly on Wednesday.

Congratulations also went to Gracie Miller (Y13) Bella Le Blanc (Y13) and Katherine Howells (Y12) who  received achievement certificates in recognition of effort in Acdemic studies.

Girls score first goal of the hockey season

On Wednesday Shiplake mixed hockey team took on Henley College in a friendly game at the Tesco Astro. In the first half, the play was mainly in Henley's favour although excellent defending from Claudia, Fiona and Max in goal kept the scoreline to 2-0. Play was fast and furious in the second half with Henley throwing everything at our goal. As a result midfield players Shana, Cheskie and Pip also had a taste of defending. Henley didnt have it all their own way as Laura  and Gracie took advantage of good passes made by George and Ed to make a few forays into the opposition goal area and Charlie Kelly didnt need a second invitation to slot the ball home for the first goal of the season.

Well done to all players, and a big thank you to Ollie and Nadal who also made a super contribution to the team.

Rowing and Horses - mixed results

Chesca Knowles and Fran Nutt competed in the Wallingford Skulls this weekend. They rowed as a pair and were doing well until Chesca's back gave out half way along the course. All things considered 8th place wasnt bad. Chesca ended up in A&E with her injuries but fortunately nothing was permanently damaged although she will be off sport for a while.  Fran meantime continued in the Head by competing in the single skulls where she came 13th.

Olly Berry has been competing in several Horse events over the last few weeks including an outing to the International event at Gatcombe Park. She finished 10th in that event overall although she recorded good times for the Cross country phase. 

She had much more success this weekend at the County Hunter Trials where she came 1st and 2nd in her two events. Olly will be competing in two more events before the end of the season at Pulborough and Aldon.

We wish her good luck for these.

Congratulations to all the girls on their efforts this weekend. Well done!!

Photo supplied by S.Sparkes

House Council Meeting

Bella Le Blanc chaired the House council meeting at which the following points were raised. Actions in italics:
GENERAL POINTS

1. Hash Browns on a Saturday Morning - Bella to raise at Food CouncilBetter
2. TV aerial - This is a problem due to the construction of the House which has silver lined insulation. Mrs F will ask the Bursar about the possibility of a satellite dish on the outside of the building.
3. Clearer break rota - Mrs F will do a new rota with names.
4. House Hairdryer - Pupils need to provide their own hairdryer.
5. Heat-pads for period pains - These are too expensive for the House to give out out. Possibility of providing hot water bottles instead will be investigated by Matron.
6. Feminax - Medical wing decide contents of medicine cabinet. Matron will ask again.

FOOD ISSUES

1. Every Saturday can all the kitchen utensils go through a dishwasher, preferably in the main kitchen - Girls are responsible for washing and cleaning up properly. Matron will ensure equipment and cleaning fluids are provided. Clean tea towels are already put into the common room daily.
2. Real butter - See below
3. House Ketchup- HEINZ - Additional foodstuffs such as this need to be provided by individuals.
4. Wham Bars in tuck shop - Matron will source
5. Caffeinated Coffee - Matron will source
6. PG Tips - see below
7. Better quality chocolate spread e.g. nutella/ Cadburys - see below.

Providing Items 2, 6 and 7 will mean a considerable increase in costs from the House funds. Buying butter, Nutella, cadbury's chocolate spread and PG Tips will cost nearly £400 a year. This is the equivalent cost of a new TV + ariel.  If funds allow we will try to provide  some of these items when we can.