Thursday, 2nd February 2012

Tamesis Chamber Choir are planning a really big celebration for their next concert at 7:30pm on Saturday 3rd March in Reading. It's for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, one of the three Historic Times they are marking this season. As befits a right royal knees-up, Tamesis will be singing the most jubilant, regal, exciting and well-loved music by big ticket composers of their days.

Commissioned for Queen Elizabeth's 1953 Coronation, there is Walton's magnificent 'Te Deum' and Vaughan Williams' lyrical 'O taste and see'. The service also included 'Zadok the Priest', written by Handel for George II's coronation… if you weren't around to catch it then, you'll know it now either as a state occasion staple or as the Champions' League anthem or from the P&O and Subway adverts! Stanford's grandiose 'Gloria' was first performed at George V's coronation. 

William Mathias' splendid 'Let the people praise Thee O God', dates from Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981. And bringing things bang up to date, we'll sing two pieces composed for Wills' and Kate's nuptials last year: 'Ubi Caritas' by Paul Mealor (of Military Wives' fame!) and Rutter's 'This is the day'. And there's much more - see www.tamesischamberchoir.co.uk for the complete programme.

It's going to be a truly uplifting occasion, so please come along and join in the celebrations (tiaras and sceptres optional!) Tickets are £12/£8 from Louise Rapple, (lrapple@shiplake.org.uk), from www.tamesischamberchoir.co.uk or call 0118 934 3200. We're hoping for a packed church for our concert at Greyfriars Church, Friar Street, Reading RG1 1EH. It's a fantastic central location, handy for the station or the secure Broad Street Mall or Garrard Street car parks. 

Wednesday, 25th January 2012

In preparation for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition, which will take place in March, 16 Sixth Form students have been contemplating how to cook nutritious and delicious meals using only the limited facilities available when camping.  This culminated in a Masterchef-style competition in which all the stops were pulled out on a tight budget.

The winning team produced a three course meal for only £2 per head, consisting of a smoked salmon and cream cheese starter, pasta with bacon, mushroom and tomato sauce and chocolate-coated bananas to finish.  The judges agreed that these pupils know how to camp in style.

Friday, 20th January 2012

After the successful 2011 rugby season, five Shiplake boys were nominated for The Independent Schools National Team. Over 400 boys from across the country were nominated and had to make it through three different trials culminating in the ‘Divisional Festival’.

We are delighted that Teddy Hewins and Ian Brown have both been successful in making the 42 man national squad. They are now looking forward to five matches in the UK and a tour to Italy in the Easter holidays where they will face two tough tests against Italy U18 national team. 

Photo: Ian Brown (l) and Teddy Hewins (r).

Friday, 20th January 2012

Congratulations to the Lower School football squad who enjoyed their first ever game on Tuesday 17 January, away at The Bulmershe School in Woodley.

Two games played simultaneously produced results of a 3-12 defeat and a 5-4 victory.  Well done to all the players who took part, and thank you to Mr Starr, Director of Football, and Mr Le Paih, for transporting the 20 boys to and from Bulmershe School.

The first home game for the Lower School takes place on Friday 20 January against Forest, kick off 15:20.  All support very welcome.

The team photo, below, was taken before kick off, and shows the boys’ brand new kit, with team mangers Mr Le Paih and Mr Starr on the left and right of the back row.  

Wednesday, 18th January 2012

Artwork entered in the House Art Competition was displayed in the Great Hall last week ready for the exhibition viewing on Saturday afternoon. This year the competition was judged by the artist known as Beryl. 

Beryl owns her own studio in Buckinghamshire, running a broad range of design classes and supplying major retailers with her knitted accessories.  She has exhibited internationally and has also been featured in magazines around the world.  She is inspired by vintage design and takes these patterns and transforms them for a contemporary world.

The competition winners were:

Year 13:

Photography:                    1st  Ollie Smith, 2nd  James Cam                       

Printmaking:                      1st  Alex Nearchou, 2ndJames Dempster

Sculpture:                           1st  Tasha Glasby                                                              

Drawing & Painting:        1st  Chris Gabe, 2nd  Ollie Morgan

 

Year 12:                                                                                                   

Printmaking:                      1st  Harry Rushent,  2nd   Jo Unsworth

Sculpture:                           1st  Bunty Rowbotham                                                  

Drawing & Painting:        1st  Rose Parker,  2nd  Nick Bond

 

Year 11:

Photography:                      1st  Ben O’Connell, 2ndHarry Hogan                  

Printmaking:                      1st  Caleb Jenkins, 2nd Harry Orford

Sculpture:                            1st  Michael Reynolds                                                     

Drawing & Painting:        1st  Sam Hughes, 2nd  Robbie Hayes

 

Year 10:

Drawing & Painting:        1st  Tom Harman and 2ndJasper Hurst

 

Year 9:

Drawing & Painting:        1st  Jordan Gibson,  2nd  Harry Frost

 

Staff:

Photography:                       1st  Hanna Edimoh,  2nd  Charly Lowndes     

Drawing & Painting:        1st  George Bridge

 

The Lawson Prize:

Matthew Lawson

 

The winning house was Orchard House. Congratulations to Orchard.

 

Photo: work by T Glasby.