The final day of the academic year was marked by the traditional Leavers’ Service held at the Parish Church on Wednesday 1 July, followed by a memorable Leavers’ Ball in the Prize Giving Marquee that evening. Together, these events provided a fitting farewell for the Class of 2026 as they celebrated the end of their journey at Shiplake College.
The Leavers’ Service offered students, staff, families and friends an opportunity to reflect on the years spent at the College and to look ahead to the exciting opportunities that await beyond Shiplake.In a message included in the service booklet, College Chaplain, The Rev’d Becky Medlicott, described the occasion as “a significant moment in a student's journey through life”, giving leavers the chance to reflect on their time at school while preparing for the next stage of their lives.
Held in the beautiful Parish Church, the service featured a number of contributions from members of the College community. Chapel Wardens delivered readings, while the congregation joined together in singing hymns and listening to speeches and poetry readings. A particular highlight was The Valedictum - or farewell address - delivered by outgoing Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Paul Jones, who is leaving Shiplake after 12 years to become Headmaster at Bethany School in Godhurst. Mr Jones read out this moving and inspiring speech:
Every few weeks for the last 14 years, I have placed a chair right here, in the middle of Chapel. And when I do, most pupils know exactly what is about to happen. The Chair can only mean one thing: Hymn Practice!
It is the signal that I am about to stand on the chair, teach a hymn, wave my arms around, and encourage teenagers to open their mouths and sing loudly. I promise I won't be doing that today, although old habits die hard.
But today, The Chair is here for a different reason. Because this morning is about endings, and beginnings. And for me, like you, it is both.
I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to stand here today. As a teacher. As a parent. As a leaver. And as a soon-to-be Old Viking.
As this term, and this week in particular, has progressed, I have found myself reflecting increasingly on gratitude. In fact, it was something I spoke to the staff about last night in my leaving speech.
I can honestly say that Shiplake College is the school I wish I had been able to attend. I am incredibly grateful to have worked with some wonderful colleagues, and to have played a part in the lives of so many brilliant pupils.
I am also grateful for how this school community has embraced my family. From formal school events to pool parties, we have all felt truly welcomed. We leave with memories that we will treasure for a lifetime.
This place has shaped me professionally, and I will forever be grateful to both Tyrone Howe and his predecessor Gregg Davies for believing in me, and for providing opportunities for me. It’s been a professional journey full of variety, challenge, and growth. Having arrived as Director of Music, I will always be grateful to Shiplake College for helping to prepare me to take the step up to Headship.
And I would encourage our Year 13 leavers to reflect on gratitude too.
Firstly, gratitude towards your teachers, and I know that you will make sure to say thank you after Prizegiving.
But in particular, gratitude towards your parents. Today is a proud day for you, and it is also a proud day for them.
They have supported you, encouraged you, and no doubt worried about you more than you realise. The opportunity to attend a school like Shiplake almost always involves sacrifice. So, if you take on board one thing this morning, let it simply be this:
Say thank you. Not because you have to, but because you mean it.
For those of us moving on, stepping up, there is certainly no shortage of advice available.
Anyone who has spent more than five minutes on LinkedIn will know that there are thousands of people keen to tell you the ‘seven habits’, ‘eight secrets’, ‘nine principles’ or ‘ten mindset shifts’ that will transform your life, and help you to take the next step. Most of it is well-intentioned; some of it is even useful.
Recently, however, I came across a piece of advice on LinkedIn that provided a genuine light-bulb moment. It came from the sports broadcaster Jake Humphrey, who was speaking at the Duke of Edinburgh's Award ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Speaking to those who had earned the Gold Award, his message was beautifully simple:
“Failure is the price of ambition, and embarrassment is the cost of entry.”
I think that is extraordinary advice. Because we live in an age obsessed with appearances. We are constantly shown the highlights. The successes. The victories. The perfect moments. What we rarely see are the mistakes, setbacks, awkward moments and failures that sit behind every meaningful achievement.
Jake Humphrey called this the difference between our highlights reel (our show reel) and our low reel. The truth is that our low reel often teaches us far more than our highlights reel ever could.
The things that go wrong build resilience. The moments that make us uncomfortable build confidence. The failures we experience build wisdom.
I suspect every person in this Chapel could tell a story about a moment that did not go according to plan. I certainly could. The reality is that failure is not evidence that you are incapable. Far more often, it is evidence that you were brave enough to try.
The good news is that Shiplake has been preparing us for this all along. The College has provided each of us with our own low reel. Think for a moment about your first days here. For some of you, it was the capsize drill.
An interesting way to welcome Year 7 pupils to a school. “Good morning, welcome to Shiplake. We thought we'd begin by putting you in a river and turning the boat upside down!” For others, it was the Year 9 Island Adventure. For our Sixth Form joiners, it was arriving in a community where everybody else already seemed to know everyone and everything.
In each case, you were required to do something uncomfortable, and that matters. Because confidence comes from discovering that you can do things that once felt difficult. Learning from your low reel. Every single person sitting here today has done that. Many times.
One of the things I admire most about Shiplake College is that it encourages all of us to have a go. To participate. To contribute. To say yes. To sing in Chapel when it’s not really your thing. To play sports you had never played before. To join activities that made you feel uncomfortable. To stand on a stage. To speak in public. To compete. To perform. To lead. To support. To grow. The lesson underneath all of that is remarkably simple:
Develop a reputation for being someone who is willing to have a go. Because opportunities rarely arrive neatly labelled. And they rarely arrive when we feel fully prepared.
In my own case, our Headmaster kindly offered me an opportunity last year. He explained that there was a charity event he could no longer attend. Would I mind stepping in? “Of course not, Mr Howe. Happy to help.” Then I discovered the event was a wing walk. And once the word “charity” has been mentioned, there is really no dignified route of escape. It turns out that standing on the wing of an aeroplane while travelling at considerable speed is an excellent lesson in saying ‘yes’ to opportunities!
There is one final lesson that Shiplake teaches exceptionally well. The importance of people. The importance of community. And the importance of human connection.
In a world increasingly dominated by screens, algorithms and notifications, the ability to connect meaningfully with another human being is becoming more valuable, not less.
So, be the person. Be the person who smiles. Be the person who says hello. Be the person who notices someone standing on their own. Be the person who makes room for somebody else. Be the person who includes others. Be the person who encourages. Be
the person who lifts others up. Shiplake has taught you what belonging feels like. As you step up, create that feeling for other people.
Back to The Chair, probably the thing for which I will be remembered!
The Chair provides us all with a rather useful metaphor. Because every time I stand on it, there is a step to take. And every step upwards involves a moment of uncertainty; a moment of balance; a moment of courage.
Thinking of Jake Humphrey’s advice, because we are ambitious there is a risk of failure (I could fall off), and embarrassment is the cost of entry (say no more, I imagine my family are suitably embarrassed on my behalf!).
Today, every one of us who is leaving Shiplake is taking a step up. Some to university. Some to apprenticeships. Some to employment. Some to new schools. And in my case, to a Headship. Different destinations. The same step up.
So as we leave, let’s remember:
Failure is the price of ambition.
Embarrassment is the cost of entry.
Learn from your low reel.
Say yes to opportunities.
Look after other people.
And never be afraid to have a go.
Because every worthwhile thing in life begins with someone taking a step up.
The service concluded with one of Shiplake’s most cherished traditions. As the Class of 2026 departed the church, they were met by a guard of honour formed by teachers lining the church path, applauding the leavers as they took their final steps as pupils of the College. Accompanied by the ringing of the church bells, the moment provided an emotional and memorable farewell.
Later that evening, celebrations continued at the annual Leavers’ Ball, held in the Prize Giving Marquee on Front Field. Organised by Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Emma Farrell, the event brought together students for one last evening of celebration before embarking on their next adventures. This year’s theme, Mediterranean Nights, transformed the marquee into a stylish setting for an evening of laughter, dancing and shared memories. Dressed in black-tie attire, the leavers enjoyed a wonderful atmosphere as they celebrated with friends and reflected on their time at the College. The Leavers’ Ball provided the perfect conclusion to a landmark day, allowing the year group to come together and create lasting memories before heading off to universities, apprenticeships, gap years and new opportunities.
While their time as Shiplake pupils has now come to an end, the Class of 2026 will always remain part of the wider Shiplake community as Old Vikings. We congratulate them on all they have achieved during their years at the College and wish them every success and happiness for the future.
Please enjoy photo highlights from the Leavers' Service and Ball below:
