The whole of the Shiplake Community tuned in to a very special event on Friday evening, the College's Virtual Prize Giving Ceremony.
As bow ties were straightened and corks popped, we were treated with a James Bond style opening sequence with drone footage and the Headmaster Mr Tyrone Howe arriving in style via boat on the Thames. And, to ensure he wouldn't be late for proceedings, Mr Paul Jones and Mr Nick Brown turned up in the nick of time in a golf buggy to give him a lift up the steep hill to Skipwith Great Hall.
Mr Howe said: "This morning we should have been gathered in a sweltering hot marquee to mark the end of this academic year and this evening we would have been welcoming our Year 13 girls and boys, parents and staff on the front field for their leavers ball. Instead, I'm standing here in an empty Great Hall talking at a camera and sincerely hoping the internet connection doesn't let us down.
"Don't be down hearted, I hope you are sitting comfortably, and are smartly dressed with a glass of fizz, because this evening's unique prize giving evening is going to be a little bit different.
"It's designed to be fun, engaging and to put smiles on faces, but at the same time we will celebrate the wonderful work that has gone on at Shiplake throughout this year, recognise achievements and participation and applaud our prize winners this evening."
Mr Howe went through how the evening would look with speeches, a look back at the academic year and a few surprises thrown in.
The first segment featured Head Dog Simba, and members of the Shiplake Canine Resort (SCR) taking part in their own Zoom meeting about how lockdown has affected them. The idea came from Andrew Cotter, who because of the lack of competitive sport to commentate on, started to commentate on the antics of his two dogs, Mabel and Olive. At the end of the dogs Zoom call, the Shiplake audience were surprised by a personal message from Andrew Cotter himself!
And the surprises didn't stop there, there were also appearances from former British Lion and Ireland Rugby Captain, Brian O'Driscoll, Sports Commentators Gabby Logan and Kirsty Gallagher, former Scottish Rugby International, Kenny Logan, Writer and Broadcaster, Giles Brandreth, Actor, Robert Lindsay and Olympic Gold Heptathlete, Denise Lewis OBE.
Deputy Head, Academic, Mr Paul Jones had the pleasure of presenting the prizes this year, with some virtual waves and thank yous from the winners, who appeared 'magically' on the left of the screen.
Speeches this year were inspiring, engaging and inspirational. They began with Chair of Governors, The Right Honourable, Tim Eggar who gave thanks to the pupils for attending online lessons and joining in. He sadly announced that he would he standing down after 11 years as Chairman, and that Sir David Tanner, former Performance Coach for GB Rowing would be taking over from him in December.
Joint Heads of College, Rhys Ash and Estelle Thomas gave a very inspirational address about their time at Shiplake and how experiencing challenging and difficult situations has helped them to grow and overcome their fears, which has ultimately influenced who they are today. They then performed the #DontRushChallenge, made famous by social media platform, Tik Tok, where they handed over their tie and lapel pin to the incoming Heads of College, James Burgess and Trixie May.
Highlights during the evening also included a series of video montages which celebrated sport, music and drama, art and photography.
The school choir, Camerata performed a moving rendition of See You Again by Charlie Puth. Each singer performed their pieces separately, which were then put together to form a virtual choir.
Throughout the evening, families, staff and governors were encouraged to send in photos of them enjoying the ceremony, with Mr Howe sharing them live on screen at various points. You can view them here:
Flickr album: Prize Giving 2020 |
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During the course of the evening there were montages to celebrate the art and photography, sport and performing arts highlights from across the year. The evening concluded with a goodbye to all those staff who are sadly leaving Shiplake at the end of the Summer Term, and the #ShiplakeAtHome montage of all the amazing virtual activities that have taken place during lockdown.
Mr Howe, said: "So we have made it to the end. It has been challenging, but thank you to everyone for their efforts and support. Not only have we got through this period, but we have done so in style. Shiplake grasped the opportunity. It has educated and supported its pupils, right through to the end of this term. I asked for us to finish strongly and we are fine shape as we cross the line.
"It has been a proper team effort. When the chips are down, it's when you see what people are made of. That's when you really test the heart of the school. I believe that the heart of Shiplake College is beating more strongly than ever.
"I can't wait to embark on the next academic year with everyone back in our school community."
The ceremony came to a close with a replay of The Weekenders' performance from this year's Shiplake Rocks Home Edition.
Many thanks for the numerous messages of thanks and congratulations received from parents, staff and governors, illustrating that the evening had been enjoyed by all those who were watching - many as part of socially-distanced watching parties:
- Triumph! That was amazing. I laughed, welled up, and missed everyone
- What an amazing event last night was – simply brilliant – from the very first moment to the final curtain – it was superb. We loved every moment – it was good as any BBC production – well done to all of you for all your hard work to make such a wonderful evening.
- Huge congratulations on pulling off such an impressive and fun prize giving yesterday. We watched it with friends and were all very proud, both of our boys and of the school. The boys faces were a picture, seeing their headmaster and their teachers in a new light, and demonstrating how to truly rise to the challenge, very inspirational!
- Thank you for a brilliant prize giving. Great opening sequence! And to have Brian O'Driscoll and others was very special.
- Hats off to you - that was amazing! Last night’s event was so well put together and it certainly put across some of the ‘personality’ of Shiplake College and its community.
- Wow, what amazing prize giving Shiplake put on last night – it was simply amazing. It made me very proud to be associated with the School. It must have taken a huge amount of work and teamwork to not only put it all together but to pull it off – live! Well done!
- I’m sure you’re going to be overwhelmed by congratulatory emails, but I just wanted to add one more to say an incredible well done to you and the team over this lockdown period, which culminated in the most slickest performance ever this evening!
- What a positive send off for the Summer Term, show-casing so much that is exceptional about Shiplake. I’m in awe too about the flawless ‘tech’ which allowed us to share in it all. I’m still smiling... well done.
- 26 speech days, and that one was by far the best. Well done to everyone involved.
- That was the most amazing prize-giving we've ever had - and, I bet, pretty much any school has ever had!! WELL DONE to you all. Love being part of this amazing school.
- That was utterly fantastic. Thank you so much. One of the most memorable hour and a quarters of the entire lockdown. A superb end to the year.