On Wednesday 24 June 2015, the Shiplake College community bid farewell to the pupils in Year 13, who are moving on to pastures new. A very touching Leavers’ Service was held by the Rev, and the pupils were joined by staff and family to mark the momentous occasion.
Head of College Yeem Chanthanawan opened the service, thanking the congregation for attending. Head and Deputy Head Chapel Wardens Barney Aldridge and Emma Haynes then addressed everyone, reading an excerpt from T S Eliot’s The Dry Salvages, wishing the leavers ‘not fare well, but fare forward voyageurs.’
Amongst hymns and prayers, other Year 13 pupils stood to give various readings, offering encouragement, inspiration and optimism, as the pupils prepared to leave the familiar walls of Shiplake College and tackle new challenges, including university, volunteering positions and the world of full-time employment.
Deputy Headmaster Mr Rob Jones gave the valedictum, a moving farewell that looked at the opportunities ahead of those pupils leaving the Shiplake ranks, as well as fond memories of time spent at the College. Closing with a quote from Walt Disney, a trailblazer in film and animation, Mr Jones said that ‘around here we don’t look backwards for very long, we keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths’, a sentiment shared by Shiplake, and one that will stay with the leavers as they open new doors and move forward.
Prayers were led by the School Prefects – Tom Banks, Jason Chan, Charles Galligan, Phil Green, Sam Hallatt, Tom Harman, Freddie Ireland, Will Janes, Charles Marsden, George Lawley and Jamie Mottram.
Staff members then lined up outside the church, to bid a fond farewell to each member of Year 13 as they left the service.
To see more photos from the event, please click here.