New year 9 induction day

As well as welcoming back the old boys, we also welcomed next year's new boys to Burr - or as many of the dozen who could make it. They had a busy morning of activities including some classic problem solving with barrels and planks.

Old Vikings' Day

Too many visitors to count - sunshine, fun.

Alex Woolnough (with bottle) won the Ergo Challenge - on his left is Charlie Sparks. From 20 years earlier, Matthew Battle, Nick Lee-Clarke, Graham Sylvester and David Maundrell looked in and insisted that the version I'd been told about the wine-making in the then Head of House's wardrobe is an untrue libel, but they wouldn't divulge who was really knocking out their own version of Chateau Burr.

Saturday

This Saturday the Old Vikings' Day is turning into a huge event with up to 800 visitors expected. Years 9 and 10 each have a role to play - but will be free to go home at 1530 (please note this is a change to any other timings I may have mentioned).

Cricket Victory

The Under 15 A XI won their semi final in the Oxfordshire cup this afternoon. The XI includes Tom Thornton-Smith and Liam Collins.

A date for the final is under negotiation.

House Photo

My thanks to a mum who alerted me to a problem with the codes supplied for ordering the House Photo from Gillman and Soame - and to them for quickly providing me with the correct codes. If you need details, please email me.

Complicated week.

Year 9 set off in various directions this morning - some are dragon-boating, kayaking and climbing, while others are walking to Hurley to camp there overnight. They will manage to cross the river without a bridge - using the ancient Wargrave Ferry. This has a romantic history - a young man who had been evacuated from London in the Blitz met his wife there, and remembered it when they celebrated their 60 wedding anniversary.

I know this because my son researched the story for the Henley Standard when doing his 6th Form Work Experience a few years ago. The current year 12 are out this week, variously at Bristol Botanic Gardens, the Hertfordshire Police, the English Cricket Board, the Oakley Vet Clinic, Marks and Spencer, John Lewis - and perhaps the best placement of all, working with the caterers at Queen Anne's School for Girls.

Year 10 are all off to see "As You Like It" at the Globe Theatre tonight.

And there is the summer Art Show opening this evening - you can see it on Speech Day if you can't make the Private View this evening at 7.


Wednesday, 24th June 2009 at 10am
(Speech Day)
in the Great Hall
The Art School
invites you to attend an exhibition of work
by the present
GCSE, AS and A2 Art students
Jeremy Houghton will also be exhibiting a selection of watercolours

More congratulations

Alex Baker will be the Head of College next year, and the Deputy Head will be Aless Williams. Both are fine athletes as well.

This is the third year running that Burr has provided the Head of College

Graffiti celebration

Grisly end to a run.

Top right is Ali, stepping on the gas, breaking records. Other Burr record breakers include:

Senior 200m Archie Prescot 2008 24.5

Junior 100m* Aliyu Mutapha 2009 12.1
Junior 800m* Alex Barker 2009 2.26.8
Junior 1500m* Alex Barker 2009 5.03

Girls Shot* Aless Williams 2009 7.60m

In Brittany

The Silver DofE expedition was to the forest of Paimpoint, France for three days of walking and camping. Congratulations to Jack Cowmeadow for winning a mars bar for the best pitched tent. All 26 candidates, including 6 from Burr, successfully completed their expedition, with morale high despite heavy rain on the second and third days - and localised snow and hail at one point.

Athletics Championships

Burr Juniors and Girls both won their sections. Seniors came 4th - a pity Jamie Albon had a four hour exam and could not compete. Congratulations to Ali Mustapha and Alex Barker who broke records.

The Tug of War had to be postponed because the rope broke again - the RN Section of the CCF will supply a replacement, intended as a mooring hawser for a light battleship.

Click on the link below for an album of photos.

2009 06 13 Athletics Champs

Horsing around

The Burr carpark offered ideal space for a horse van to park while the horses were being used as a mode of transport and entertainment for a nearby celebration. On their return, Max, Henry, Ben and Mr Starr chatted with the owners and stroked the horses. Mr Starr’s camera once again caught the action.

Shiplake is licensed for weddings, so if you're thinking of proposing ...

New chapel wardens; scholars

Many congratulations to Fred Versen who will follow another Burr appointee, Alex Wallis, as Head Chapel Warden for the College in 2009/10. I am also delighted that Harry Wilson and Fergus Robertson-McIsaac have accepted the job of House Chapel Wardens for next year.

And congratulations also for two scholarship awards in Year 11 - Sam Evans for rowing, and Craig Henderson for drama.

A busy week

Time to catch up with the blog after a busy week - several of year 10 in France camping and walking, and doing very well. Burr car park became a stableyard. We had a good day at the athletics championships yesterday. Exams are finished for year 12, and years 11 and 13 have only a few days to go.

Next week sees year 9 doing a range of activities; and the end of the week is a huge open day for Old Boys and Girls. More on this soon.

House tennis

The competition between Burr and Welsh for the Baldry trophy (for inter-house sport) is tight. Our Senior tennis players did their best yesterday, but I won't go into the details. Our hopes now move to the second day of athletics standards, on Friday.

Riverside Communion

It's not just rowers who use the Riverbank. Padre Ru Jarvis explained that with his Army background he's most comfortable doing services in the open air, preferably with a muddy congregation. I'm not sure how many swans he normally sees at a Communion service.

There were plenty of Burr voices in the Choir.

Rowing

We're still proud that Shiplake provided the 2nd fastest J16 VIII in the country, and third fastest 1st VIII, at the National Schools' Championships. Congratulations to Sam Evans, who will start the 6th form next year as a Rowing Scholar.

Shirtsleeves; a trip to France

As the fine warm weather continues, we have been allowed to take our jackets off. Year 12 are coming to the end of their exams, but the torture continues for another fortnight or so for year 11.



I will be away in Brittany with Duke of Edinburgh Silver candidates (26 in all - including 6 from Burr) from Thursday to Monday 8th. Mr Kevin Dolan will be acting Housemaster while I'm away - Lesley will pass on any messages that arrive on our phone number.