Shiplake College is a member of both HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference) and also The Society of Heads, which is a membership organisation representing independent schools in the UK and overseas that share ideas and approaches to learning.
Each year The Society of Heads produces an Observations booklet to reflect the previous academic year, with contributions from people connected to its member schools. Unsurprisingly, the 2020-2021 Observations booklet had the theme 'A Year Like No Other'. The publication includes articles that cover the experiences and views from pupils, staff and governors regarding the extraordinary year or remote learning, Covid restrictions and schools navigating their way through the pandemic.
Shiplake College submitted the article below from Joe Morgan in Year 8, providing his experience on the topic of "What was it like to start Shiplake as a Year 7 pupil in September 2020". Below is what he wrote:
"I was really excited about joining Shiplake last year. I had been on taster and assessment days and enjoyed all the activities on offer. I was excited about doing more of the same, getting to use the amazing facilities at the school every day and of course making new friends.
Above all, I just wanted to get back to school. After the first lockdown I felt really sad to have missed most of my last term in Year 6 and saying a proper goodbye to my old school and friends.
But all of that was put behind me as I drove up to Shiplake with my Mum for my first day. I met a friend who I walked in with and we were immediately made to feel at home by our Housemaster and Matron. And what an amazing first day it was, we found out where everything was, what class we were going to be in and took part in lots of fun activities. The day ended with a capsize test in the freezing River Thames!
Over the next few weeks and months I made lots of new friends and got used to life in secondary school. I discovered that I really enjoyed art, DET and drama - all subjects that I hadn’t really done before. The sport and activities we have every day are amazing. From climbing and kayaking to art and music there is something different each day.
It felt that things had got back to normal and then at Christmas, lockdown hit again! I was worried that I wouldn’t see my friends and teachers for months on end like the first lockdown, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The move to online learning worked well. Our lessons were exactly the same, just online. I got to see my friends, and our teachers made it fun by using breakout rooms when we had to work on projects. We even did PE online, taking our laptops into our gardens to do circuit training, or building obstacle courses around the house!
It was then back to normality just before Easter. Our Housemaster organised a surprise fun afternoon for us with giant inflatables and games and marshmallows over the firepit, so we could all get together after such a long time away. And then onto the summer and the highlight of the year, a residential PGL trip to Dorset.
I’m now in Year 8 and still really enjoying myself. I have loved playing competitive rugby this term - we weren’t able to do that last year - and I’ve started to learn the saxophone. I feel very lucky to have so many opportunities on offer to me at Shiplake and like that we get to try so many new things out. The teachers are always kind and friendly and they believe in you - if you are struggling with something they will help and encourage, and if you are good at something they will push you to be the best you can be."
