The start of the spring term has seen the introduction of new activities for pupils to try. Co-curricular activities form an important part of the timetable at Shiplake, with many pupils using the dedicated time to exercise their creativity, and try their hand at something a little out of the ordinary. So far this year, the introduction of clay pigeon shooting and winter sports has proved hugely successful.
It is just a few weeks into the term, and already co-curricular activities have proven highly popular. Clay pigeon shooting was a surprise addition to the list of activities, but places have been snapped up on the course. 13 pupils are taking part on a Friday afternoon, and some of those are very experienced shooters. Due to the lack of light, and to ensure a safe and effective introduction to the sports, TAG events are attending Shiplake each Friday to run laser clay pigeon shooting on the College site. The activity is run by Mr Paul Green, who counts it as one of his hobbies, having been witness to its popularity at previous schools. Mr Green commented: ‘several boys are already really promising shots, and a number of participants already shoot in their spare time. After half term, the shooting will generally take place at the highly respected Royal Berkshire Shooting School, where pupils will receive professional coaching. Our long term aim here is to maintain a Shiplake Shooting Team and enter into national competitions, of which there are many coming up in the summer. I’m really pleased to see the enthusiasm shown and I’m looking forward to furthering this.’
Skiing and snowboarding have also proven popular. Boys from Years 9 to 11 travel to Skiplex in Woodley, to hone their skiing and boarding skills – or, in some cases, learn the skill from scratch! Mr Alex Hunt, Assistant Head (Co-Curricular), who runs the activity, commented: ‘Skiplex is not a conventional slope; there is no artificial snow or ski lifts. Two rolling mats, which can be adjusted in angle depending on rider expertise, make up the slopes. The boys arrived feeling very confident, but quickly realised it wasn’t going to be as easy as they had anticipated! However, fantastic progress has been made in the visits we’ve had so far. Each session finishes with a fast and furious tobogganing session!’