Boarding is an important and inclusive part of life at Shiplake College, bringing together pupils from all ages and the varying houses, helping them to learn to live together peacefully and enjoy a myriad of activities together. Most recently, Shiplake hosted an all-in weekend, which saw all boarders (whether full or weekly) encouraged to remain at College for the weekend, to take part in a range of unique activities.
The all-in weekend started with a trip to all-you-can-eat restaurant Cosmos in Reading (always popular with the pupils!) and a race and curry night for Sixth Formers. After a highly successful Whole School Open Morning, before every pupil was invited to stay for Dragon Boat racing. The boats were brought to the Shiplake stretch of the river, and pupils were divided into teams before being given training on how to paddle the boat. The crews needed good coordination and communication, as well as a drummer on board the boat to keep a beat for the rowers. Traditionally a Chinese boat, the dragon boat has become internationally popular. The Shiplake teams, after getting used to the boats, enjoyed a race along the river, and the ‘yellow’ crew from Burr House snatched victory from the hands of the others.
Dragon boat racing was followed by watching rugby in the Lecture Theatre, as it was the Super Saturday of the Six Nations! After England had lifted the trophy in triumph, the boarders enjoyed a trip to Gravity Force in Camberley, loving dodgeball and gymnastics on the trampolines. Sunday was another action-packed day. After an enjoyable cooked brunch, the pupils enjoyed games of bubble footballs; a hilarious version of zorbing, where the players run around with giant inflatable balls wrapped around them, with their sight and coordination seriously (and comically) impaired as a result of this!
The weekend was the perfect opportunity for pupils who don’t experience boarding activities to see what goes on at the weekend. It was a very inclusive weekend, as pupils from all year groups and houses came together for each of the different activities.