Samsara
Friday, 17th May 2013

Etymologically samsara means ‘he flows into himself’ that is to perpetually pass through states of existence.  A walk to the river and a hands-on practical example provided a kinaesthetic learning experience when Year 9 pupils tackled the concept in Theology and Philosophy lessons.

Some Dharmic religions teach that our current life is just one of many and that we partake in a repeating cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth but the class looked specifically at how Buddhism encourages devotees to break the cycle.

So the T&P department is using the fortune of our surroundings to teach this cycle through the analogy of the water cycle.

 

Confirmation preparation
Thursday, 16th May 2013

Preparing for Confirmation the candidates see beyond morning prayers and the Sunday sermon, they see the church at work in the wider world.

A visit to a nunnery, as part of the education on prayer, with nuns guiding the pupils around their home and place of worship, gives the role of prayer a more substantial context. A visit to RAF Benson brings far greater meaning to the theme of War and Conflict than a classroom lecture would.

‘Pupils are fascinated by the Church’s calendar. The year starts on the first Sunday of advent which is a date that moves from year to year. Yet the readings are fixed for the whole Christian world giving a rhythm to our worship. Wherever you visit a Christian church in the world you will hear the same readings on that day,’ said Reverend Stephen Cousins.

‘We often forget how in medieval times very few people could read and the liturgical colours were a visual sign to the congregation of the season. Personally I see white as the party colour for the celebrations of Christmas and Easter. Purple is for the sad penitential seasons of Advent and Lent.   Red, representing blood, is for the saints and martyr’s days. I like to describe green as the everyday colour, it is a bit like wearing jeans for day-to-day events.’

Silvers for girls at Dorney Lake
Thursday, 16th May 2013

Silver medals in the Women’s J18 doubles in the Ball Cup at Dorney Lake for Shiplake College’s Maddie Newman and Katy Ward was a reward for many hours of hard training.

Maddie and Katy, both in the Lower Sixth at Shiplake College, had been keen rowers before they joined the College. Proximity to the river has given them the opportunity to train on four or five occasions each week, coached by Rebecca McKellar.

With the races taking place over a 750 metre course the competitors had windy conditions to contend with in the heats. Drawn against Ardingly RC and Kings College School the Shiplake girls made a slow start and were trailing after ten lengths. Finding their rhythm they pushed through the other crews and held the lead at the 500 metres mark. They continued to increase their lead and finished with a winning margin of around one and a half lengths.

The weather had calmed slightly for the final and the girls were able to have a much smoother race but in the final it was Cambridge City RC who made the better start. The Shiplake girls pushed them all the way to the line but still trailed by a length and a half at the finish to take the silver medals.

Drugs Awareness
Thursday, 16th May 2013

Bill Evans, visiting the College from TTP Harley Street, a consultancy specialising in addictive and disorder therapy, gave hard-hitting presentations to Y9 pupils and Y9 parents. Looking at the issues of what a drug is and the laws regarding drugs Evans gave powerful and well-informed presentations that raised the awareness and educated on prevalence of misuse. His talks covered drugs, solvents, tobacco and alcohol as well as the growing use of ‘legal’ highs.

The high levels of caffeine that people take on board, from large coffees through to energy drinks, such as Relentless, also give cause for concern. Evans also focused on abuse of over the counter drugs such as painkillers. Pupils were shown how to develop their refusal skills for occasions when offered substances.

Evans presented alarming statistics on how severe a problem drug abuse is in the UK.  In 2011 abuse cost theUK economy a staggering £4.2bn with 1m working days lost.

 

Rowing Camps
Wednesday, 15th May 2013

After last summer’s success Shiplake College is offering a summer rowing camp for boys and girls from Year 8 to Year 13. The camp will run for two weeks, July 29th to August 2nd and August 5th to 9th and offers expert coaching and tuition for beginners and intermediate rowers. Shiplake offers excellent facilities and qualified coaches whose comprehensive tuition will ensure that participants are able to develop their skills and technique throughout the week.

Camps run from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and cost £180 per week, including lunch. If you would like your son or daughter to attend both weeks please indicate this on the form, we will do our best to accommodate this where possible.

To book your place please fill in the application form and return to rowingcamps@shiplake.org.uk or to Rowing Camps. Shiplake College, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 4BW. Cheques should be made payable to Shiplake College. Forms can be returned in by email in the first instance and payment sent in by post. Places are limited and it is advisable to book as soon as possible.