On Monday 24 February, after a weather‑related delay, the College’s Prefects and Chapel Wardens gathered on Front Field during morning break for the much‑anticipated annual Shiplake College Pancake Day Race, an event known for serving up stacks of fun.
A highlight of the Spring Term calendar, the Pancake Race sees the Chapel Wardens take on the Prefects in a lively relay that demands speed, skill, and a steady flipping hand. As in previous years, each runner was required to perform a double flip before sprinting the length of the course, looping around a pole, and returning the pan to the next teammate.
Before the race began, Deputy Head Academic Mr Jones assembled both teams to talk through the rules. This year came with a notable twist thrown into the mix with the introduction of yellow and red cards, allowing Mr Jones to referee the action and clamp down on any dubious flipping techniques. His humorous and insightful commentary—broadcast over the PA system—added to the already buzzing atmosphere, with staff and pupils lining the edge of the field to cheer on both sides. Safe to say, our Sixth Formers really had a handle on things.
Despite the event being moved, the front field provided its own challenge: strong, unpredictable winds that made pancake flipping far more dramatic than usual. Even so, contestants rose to the occasion, battling the breeze proof that competition never falls flat.
What followed was a wonderfully entertaining contest, complete with shifting momentum, impressive athleticism, and the occasional airborne pancake. Both teams showed tremendous spirit, determination, and good humour throughout.
But in a thrilling finale, it was the Prefects who crossed the line first—secured in spectacular fashion by a knee‑slide finish from Zac Powell, going flat out for the win. The Prefects’ victory marks an incredible ninth consecutive win, having claimed the title every year since the race’s inception in 2017.
As celebrations wrapped up, one question echoed across the field: can the Prefects make it ten in a row next year, or will the Chapel Wardens flip things over and finally break the streak?
Make sure to explore the gallery below from this fun‑filled, action‑packed, flipping brilliant, occasion!
