Weekly Newsletter - Shebbear College

Issue No 82
2nd October 2015
Weekly Newsletter from the Headmaster
Prep 6 enjoying their PGL adventure at Osmington Bay in Dorset last week
Dear Parents,
Shebbear is a great place to be when it is sunny and the school
campus looks stunning at the moment. There is also now a real hope
that the Sixth Form Centre will be finished by Christmas with the Music
Block not far behind. If any well-connected parents know a suitably
big name to come and open either of them please let me know. Next
week is our Sixth Form information evening and if at all possible we will
show parents and current Form Five students around.
As ever this has been a really busy week both inside and outside
of the classroom. On the sports field most of our Senior boys’
rugby teams have followed the lead of our national team and come
second, although the U14s had a good win against Stover. The star
performance this week probably came from our U13 girls who beat
Budehaven at hockey or our Prep rugby team who won our minitournament with Kingsley, St Joseph’s and St Petroc’s.
Next week is a particularly special one for the school because we will
celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Bible Christian movement - the
movement that inspired the founding of the school. From very humble
beginnings the movement has had a profound effect on the world.
As a result, the President of the Methodist Conference, Steve Wild,
will be in school on Friday when he will lead Chapel and he will also
attend the Service of Celebration at 7.00pm next Friday evening in
Lake Chapel.
Slightly less well established is our Inter-House Surfing Competition
which was first held last year. This is now going to take place on
Monday 5th October at 5.00pm at Widemouth. The forecast suggests
some decent sized waves, but will they be clean (that is about all the
surf talk I know)? Last year more parents came along in wet suits than
pupils so do come along and live the dream.
Simon Weale
News from the Prep School
Dear Parents,
It certainly felt a little strange being back in the Prep School this
week following our residential trip to Osmington Bay. However, I
have been very impressed with the attitude of the Prep 6 pupils this
week, who have quickly settled back into the routine and applied
themselves effectively to their work in all subjects. There didn’t even
appear to be too much of a groan when they were faced with the
prospect of another week’s homework as they walked into school on
Monday morning!
Indeed, throughout the Prep School this week all our pupils have
been busy and industrious and it’s wonderful to see the fruits of all
this hard work on display throughout our school.
In the Prep 5 class you can certainly see evidence of the diversity
of topics that the pupils have been studying since the start of term.
As well as some wonderful adaptations of William Blake’s poem
‘Tyger, Tyger’, there are also a number of photographs on show of
last week’s trip to the BioMass plant, as part of their ongoing science
work. However, what brings a smile is the wonderful Viking longboat
that now adorns the classroom wall. If you have seen it, I am sure
you will agree that the Viking crew on this particular vessel are all
rather terrifying.
Prep 6 have spent their science lessons this week in the senior
school laboratories. Not ‘blowing things up’ as one pupil hoped but
separating mixtures, dissolving, filtering and crystallising. This will be
followed up in the coming weeks as Mr Clewley shows the children
how to grow their own crystals. This access to the wonderful facilities
available in the science block is another advantage of having a
science specialist such as Mr Clewley working in the Prep school.
There was continued success on the sports field for our U11 teams
this week. On Thursday, both our netball and rugby teams were
involved in mini-tournaments, hosted here at Shebbear.
Issue No 82
2nd October 2015
Weekly Newsletter from the Headmaster
www.shebbearcollege.co.uk
Finally, I would like to remind you once again that Shebbear Prep
School is now offering ‘wrap-around care’. For a charge of £3.50 per
hour your child can now be looked after from 7.30am to 8.30am in
the morning and from 5.00pm (4.00pm on Fridays) until 6.00pm after
school, should you require this service. It is essential however, that
you have booked your child in for this provision by contacting Mrs
Goode in advance.
Mike Furber
Next week in the Prep School:
Monday 5th October
Open Week commences
Tuesday 6th October
Harvest Festival Service - 2.15pm in Lake Chapel
Wednesday 7th October
Individual school photographs
Thursday 8th October
Prep 5 visit to Rosemoor Gardens pm
U9 Rugby/Netball Fixtures v West Buckland School (A) 2.00pm
Friday 9th October
Assembly: Mr Barnes
A Word from the Library
“…people who read more fiction are also better at reading other
people’s emotions. It is not that empathetic people read more, but
that reading promotes empathy.”
Our girls continue to make excellent progress under the direction of
our team of coaches; Mrs Dinsdale, Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Gee.
As a result, they were victorious in their match against Kingsley
School and only narrowly missed out against Mrs Dinsdale’s welldrilled St Petroc’s team.
However, the boys managed a clean sweep in their three matches
against Kingley, St Petroc’s and St Joseph’s schools, playing some
wonderfully fluent and cohesive rugby. It was encouraging to see the
boys passing the ball between each other so effectively and proving
that working as a team is certainly the key to success. As a result
they managed to score ten tries and only conceded two. They’ve
clearly been watching New Zealand and not England this week!
Under 11 Netball results:
Shebbear College Prep School
Shebbear College Prep School
Under 11 Rugby results:
Shebbear College Prep School
Shebbear College Prep School
Shebbear College Prep School
14 Kingsley School 3
3 St Petrocs
5
15
15
20
Kingsley School St Josephs School St Petrocs School 0
5
5
Continuing on the sporting theme, we are delighted to announce
that Alfie Sealey in our Prep 3 class has been accepted into the
Southampton Football Academy. He has already played his first
game against Bristol and was immediately moved up to play in the
U9 team. Congratulations Alfie! We are very proud of you and will
follow your progress throughout the season with interest.
S K Whitbourne (2015) citing M Djikic and K Oatley (2014). The Art in
Fiction in Pyschology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts.
Pollard Boys See The Phantom
On Thursday 24th September a group of boys from Pollard House
had a night at the opera with Mr Burnett. They went to see a youth
production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at the
Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple. Ex-Shebbearian, Becky Betambeau,
who was performing in the orchestra, had invited us to go.
The stunning performances by these young performers left us all
inspired, amazed, stunned and humming the themes all the way
home. Apparently the Phantom was only 17! Tony Tsang said it
was the best thing that had happened to him since he had come
to Shebbear, as he was swept along by the familiar tunes. Marton
Busa’s face broke into a delighted grin from the first scene as we
entered the dark recesses of the Opera Populaire of 19th century
Paris, and left saying it was better than the professional Hungarian
version he had seen some years ago in Budapest.
PGL Report
Parents Get Lost! Last week our Prep 6 classes spent a wonderful
week away at the PGL Activity Centre in Dorset, without their parents
of course!
This annual trip is always one that our older pupils in the Prep
School look forward to and the excitement certainly builds in the
weeks leading up to it. This year’s ‘PGL adventure’ certainly didn’t
disappoint and this particular group of adventurers proved to be an
absolute delight to take away.
Issue No 82
2nd October 2015
Weekly Newsletter from the Headmaster
www.shebbearcollege.co.uk
To say we packed a lot into the week is somewhat of an
understatement and it was evident to all who were there to greet
us on our return. There were some very weary (but happy) pupils
and teachers that disembarked from the buses last Friday afternoon.
Hardly surprising really, when within just five days we took part in all
of the following activities:
Trapeze Big Swing
Rifles
Archery
Quad Biking
Climbing
Abseiling
Zip Wire
Kayaking
Aeroball
Street Surf
Mountain Bikes
Tunnel Trail
Cluedo
The Cube
Super-Hero Auction
Disco
As you can see the itinerary for the week was full of exciting and
challenging activities and throughout the week both myself and Mrs
Kirby were continually impressed by our pupils’ willingness to have
a go at new activities and to conquer their fears in doing so. It was
wonderful to see the children’s faces when they had completed
a challenge that they were initially quite intimidated by. Adam
Pennington scaling the indoor climbing wall, Lola Frisby-Williams
and Chloe Stairs overcoming their obvious anxiety about riding on
the mountain bikes and Lillie Sealey’s face as she climbed the pole
to face the ‘Leap of Faith’ were all such moments that come to mind.
It was certainly a week full of excitement and physical challenge.
However, what I will remember most about this trip was the
wonderful camaraderie of the group; their support of each other and
the laughter (of which there was plenty!) All of this was fuelled by the
wonderful food provided by the PGL staff and a mountain of sweets
and fizzy drinks of course!
I would like to thank all our wonderful Prep 6 pupils for making this
such an easy and fun-filled trip and also to give a special thank you
to Mrs Kirby for having to put up with me and my competitive streak
for a whole week. Mrs Kirby’s popularity with the group was evident
when it was suggested half way through the week that I should be
sacked and she should be appointed as our new Prep School Head!
I am awaiting Mr Weale’s decision on that one!
Mike Furber (Current Head of Shebbear Prep School)
Fun at the Big Top
Jugglers, unicyclist, acrobats and a very happy clown were just part
of the entertainment the children of Pre Prep 1 were lucky enough
to see this week.
Travelling to Holsworthy Children’s Centre for ‘The Big Top Mania’
saw them joining in and laughing along with lots of other children
from neighbouring schools. Delilah and Carter helped with the plate
spinning and James very nearly brought home a giant balloon. There
were screams of delight when a bear appeared and a worrying
moment when it appeared that a little boy was going to be fired out
of a cannon! Luckily, he escaped and was replaced by a teddy.
After all the excitement the
children had great fun in
Holsworthy Park, enjoying their
picnic lunch and a walk round
the field to collect conkers and
coloured leaves. Bringing them
back to school, the leaves have
been used for sorting, making a
bar chart and leaf modelling with
clay. We have even planted one
of the conkers to see if it will grow
into our own Horse Chestnut tree.
Jacqueline Biddlecombe
Issue No 82
2nd October 2015
Weekly Newsletter from the Headmaster
www.shebbearcollege.co.uk
MIDSUMMER BALL
25th June 2016 UPDATE:
We are excited to announce the band for the
Midsummer Ball will be Joey The Lips. They entertain us
with their unmissable showmanship!
“Encores were jaw-dropping with totally unexpected
showmanship and flair you rarely see these days. It’s hard
to believe that Joey the Lips have been going fourteen years
because they’re as fresh today as they were when I first
heard them all those years ago.
Go see them, you won’t be disappointed”
South West Gig Guide
www.joeythelips.co.uk
So, spread the word, save the date and watch this space
for further details when tickets go on sale!
What’s on ...
Sunday 4th October
Boarders’ Surfing Activity, Bude, 2.00pm
Monday 5th October
Futurewise Feedback Interviews - all day
Tuesday 6th October
Futurewise Feedback Interviews - all day
Silver Jubilee Celebration Concert
Lydia Bowering-Sheehan has been chosen to perform at the
forthcoming Silver Jubilee Celebration Concert at Christ Church
Barnstaple. The concert will take place at 7.00pm on Saturday
3rd October. The concert in aid of North Devon Against Domestic
Abuse and the Outreach of the Church includes a number of young
musicians, vocal and instrumental, from across the region. Lydia will
be performing two pieces a solo and a duet. One of the pieces will be
performed on her new electric violin. We wish Lydia every success.
Life Beyond 18 - Request for Speakers
Wednesday 7th October
Futurewise Feedback Interviews - all day
Mock Trial Presentation B Form Three (Marilyn Gagg) - 2.45pm
Form Five A Level Subject Information Evening
At 6.00pm in the Assembly Hall, Vicki MacDonald will be coming to do
a presentation to Form 5 students and parents about A Levels entitled
‘Form Five A Level Subject Information Evening’.
Please try and attend this event as it will be extremely helpful and
informative at this time of such changes to the present A Level
structure. If you have any queries, please contact Judith Aliberti at:
[email protected]
Following on from last year’s very successful careers morning ‘Life
Beyond 18’ we are finalising this year’s event.
Thursday 8th October
We would like to invite speakers from many different career fields to
come in for the morning and talk to our Fifth and Sixth Forms. The
date will be Thursday 15th October 2015.
Friday 9th October
If you think you may be interested or know anyone who could give
us a morning of their time, please get in touch. Please email Judith
Aliberti at
Friends of Shebbear College AGM - 6.30pm in the Assembly Hall
[email protected]
For the latest updates on sports fixtures please see the document on
the school website which is updated weekly.
Futurewise Feedback Interviews - all day
Art A2 Research First Draft Due
Tuesday 13th October
What’s on ... Sports
Issue No 82
2nd October 2015
Weekly Newsletter from the Headmaster
Rugby
u15 v Plymouth College (H) 50-5 won
The U15s produced a fantastic performance and completely
outplayed a very physical Plymouth College side on Thursday. The
boys were under heavy pressure for the first 5 minutes being camped
on their own 5 metre line, but some disciplined defence and ferocious
tackling led to turnover ball resulting in the game’s first try, expertly
finished by Sean Nadin. From this point the boys took control of the
game and excellent ball retention allowed the team to create many
more scoring opportunities, most of them converted. Tries from
Alessandro Aliberti, full back Will Cunningham and Charlie Short, in
addition to two-a-piece from Stuart Williams and Will Cowan-Dickie
saw the boys open up a commanding lead whilst producing some
really excellent rugby in an all round outstanding team performance.
U14 v Stover (A) 47-19 (won)
The U14s enjoyed the opportunity to go to Stover and play our first
fixture against them. Unfortunately Captain Will Cunningham was
ill, but Sean Nadin took over for the game and played tremendously
well scoring four tries. Dan Shaw came back from injury and won
the man of the match award with an excellent performance in the
center both in attack and defence. The team played some excellent
rugby keeping the ball alive, but it was the defence that imporoved
as the game went on, putting Stover under more and more pressure.
Other top performances were from Will Harding, Harry Shaw, Dan
Chamberlain, Patrick Faulkner and Zinzan Belcher.
2nd XV v Blundell’s 4th XV (H) 44-33 (lost)
In a pulsating match during which Shebbear led by 21-19 at half
time there was plenty of exciting rugby being played, with the ball
being thrown and kicked all over the park. After taking a n early
14-0 lead Blundell’s pegged us back to eventually be ahead 194, until Carl Stanbury went over the line just before half-time and
then converted his own try. The second half got off to a poor start as
Shebbear allowed the ball to bounce on the re-start and Blundell’s
scored easily. The next ten minutes saw the boys tackling in the first
half take its toll as tired legs got the better of us and Blundell’s pulled
away. Credit where credit’s due however as once 44-21 behind the
boys rallied and we scored two more with some clever kicking from
Ross Bennett and chasing from our backs. The man-of-the match
went to Ben Roberts for a superb performance in the back line, as
he tackled every player who ran his way.
1st XV v South Devon College (H) 42-26 (lost)
In a game where we started off giving away about 15kg per man,
Shebbear 1st XV started well and put pressure on through some very
organised play. Unfortunatly a mistake allowed the South Devon side
to score an easy length of the pitch try, and then another shortly after,
10-0. Shebbear responded well and following an accurate line out
throw by Will Murch-Seage, lock Riou Thomas controlled a driving
maul and went over in the corner, Harry Dymond added the extras.
With 6 minutes to go until half time, Shebbear should have been
happy with scores almost level, except two very silly errors allowed
South Devon to score twice more, leaving the score at the interval a
not very flattering 24-7. The second half was vastly improved and it
seemed that Shebbear had learnt from their mistakes. The set peice
was solid, and given the difference in size, was down to the technique
www.shebbearcollege.co.uk
and determination of the Shebbear forwards. James Hibben (Man of
the Match) and Will Cox were excellent, and Patrick Marks made
a difference at the break down after moving to the back row from
the center. Unfortunatly Riley Tanton suffered a repeat injury to his
shoulder but Matt Hill who came off the bench looked very solid at full
back. After Captain and prop Max Warren took a short lineout option
and ran a try in from the 22, Shebbear trailed by just 9 points with 5
minutes to go, but South Devon hammered the final nail in the coffin
with a try. Well done all.
u15 v Blundell’s (H, Natwest Cup) 52-22 (lost)
The under 15s lined up to face Blundells in the 2nd round of the
Natwest Cup on Wednesday. The boys were highly motivated and
started the game at breakneck speed, with Stuart Williams scoring
an early try to put the boys ahead. Blundells responded strongly
to going behind and took control of the rest of the half, dominating
possession and territory on the way to building a healthy lead by
the break. Shebbear began the second half much the same as the
first and were able to get on the front foot. Further scores from Will
Cowan-Dickie (2) and an excellent finish from Sean Nadin ensured
that Shebbear outscored their opponents in the second half, only
to eventually run out losers by 52 points to 22. The team showed
incredible commitment throughout the game, with outstanding all
round performances from Stuart Williams, Alessandro Aliberti and
Will Cowan-Dickie being the highlights of what was a hard fought
fixture.
Celebrating the Bicentenary
of the Bible Christian Society
The beginning of October will be the time of celebration of the meeting
in Lake Farm Kitchen on October 9th 1815 which led to the formation
of the Bible Christian Arminian Society, eventually to become part of
the Methodist Church, and during its history leading to many ‘local’
people taking ‘Shebbear’ to the ‘uttermost parts of the world’.
The programme of events will include the following:
Sunday October 4th at 11.00am - United Harvest Thanksgiving at
Lake Chapel. The Worship will be led by Andrew Friend, President
of the Old Shebbearians’ Association.
Tuesday October 6th at 2.00 pm - Shebbear College Prep School
Harvest Celebration, with tea and sale in the School room.
Friday October 9th - Grand Bicentenary Celebration
Tea from 5.00 pm - 6.30 pm, 7.00 pm - Gala Concert with Shebbear
College Music Group, Newton St. Petrock Male Voice Choir and
Torrington Drama Group.
The Speaker will be Rev. Steve Wild, President of the Methodist
Conference. We are hoping that The President will be present during
the day for the Shebbear College Morning Assembly.
From Sunday October 4th - 9th there will be an exhibition at Lake
Chapel of the History of the Bible Christian Church and ‘Shebbear
in the early 1800s’. We trust that this event will be of interest to
Shebbearians both old and new.
Ted Lott
Issue No 82
2nd October 2015
Weekly Newsletter from the Headmaster
www.shebbearcollege.co.uk
Picture this ... Prep 6 PGL
Shebbear College, Shebbear, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5HJ Telephone: 01409 282001
www.shebbearcollege.co.uk
Email: [email protected]