our prep school performing ‘pirates of the curry bean’ · prep production - ‘pirates of the...

Weekly Newsletter from the Headmaster www.shebbearcollege.co.uk

24th June 2016Issue No 109

quite unusual because we hope to have two guests of honour. Representing the girls we have Jo Bradshaw. Jo is a leading outdoor educationalist and last month she climbed Everest! Not to be outdone, after the main event we are hoping that Sir Gary Sobers will be making an appearance to officially open our magnificent new pavilion. Two inspirational characters for an inspirational day - so I’d better write a good speech.

But of course, in the meantime, the big event of the weekend is our 175th celebratory Midsummer Ball. The marquee is up, the weather is set fine (by that I mean Devon fine - some showers and no snow) and everyone is set to have a great time. See you there.

Simon Weale

Our Prep School performing ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’

Dear Parents,

This momentous day for the country and all of its aftershocks has not been reflected in what has been a relatively quiet week in school because most of the Senior School are either on study leave or off on Activities Week. However, judging by the occasional red face returning to school from trips there has been quite a bit of sun out there.

There was a great deal of fun to be had last Saturday with the annual sporting gathering of former pupils to play against the school at cricket and netball. In the event the performance of the day was from ex Head Girl Clara Nielson who won the player of the cricket match for her bowling and fielding as our alumni achieved victory in both fixtures. The evening was taken over by the fabulous Boarders’ Extravaganza - apart from scrubbing up really well in their best suits and frocks the boarding houses amazed everyone with their homemade videos which you can view on our Youtube channel and Facebook page.

The focus of the lower half of the school has been on the annual Prep production - ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’. Mrs Jones never lets us down and this is once again a phenomenal production with some standout performances. Felix McNeill Rutter’s portrayal of a middle-aged scot was frighteningly realistic. There is a still a chance to come along tonight - come along if you can.

Next week we have our sports days (both Prep and Senior), the Rounsefell Dinner, and of course Speech Day which will be



As events unfolded, all sides find themselves marooned (or ‘purpled’) on the island of Lumbago in the Sea of Sciatica. From then on, in typical pantomime fashion, we have a bit of everything: monkeys, bigger monkeys, friendly natives, unfriendly natives, treasure chests, and the arrival of Chief Wonga (Adam Pennington) who turns out to be Pearl’s long lost husband, Stanley Perrinkle. So the family are reunited, treasure is found, Captain Redbeard becomes Captain Nobeard and peace is restored to Lumbago.

All through this enchanting adventure, we are also entertained by the wonderful double act of Slack and Scuttle (Hamish MacDougall and Finn Carey), who bombard the audience with the lions share of wonderfully corny jokes.

I am so proud of every pupil that is taking part in this wonderful performance. They show no sign of nerves, they sing their hearts out and most importantly they all appear to thoroughly enjoy themselves throughout.

But a successful production of this kind doesn’t come about without a lot of hard work. The enchanting music and beautiful singing is expertly orchestrated by Lisa Parker, supported by Kevin Parker and Fiona Goode. The fabulous costumes, props and make-up are the result of the hard work of a group of our Shebbear College parents - Laura Twomey, Claire Gunning and Julia Barker. The audience are well fed and watered thanks to the catering skills of Prep School staff Leeanne Kirby and Susie Willis-Butcher, while

News from the Prep SchoolWell there is only one thing that can dominate our newsletter this week and deservedly so. The Prep School production of ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’ is truly outstanding and certainly showcases some of the talent for drama that will be arriving in the Senior School in September.

This tale of high jinx on the high seas is hugely entertaining and truly hilarious from beginning to end, and full of the sort ‘one-liners’ that you might hear in any Carry-on classic.

This nautical tale begins with the arrival of the story’s narrator, Deadeye Dinghy, masterfully played by Felix McNeill-Rutter, whose wonderful Scottish lilt has me smiling from the moment he arrives on stage.

Deadeye then introduces us to the central characters of the story; a family separated at sea, when Pearl Periwinkle, the Fiesty mother (portrayed perfectly by Chloe Stairs), was abducted by the pirate crew of the Curry Bean and her adventurous children (Luke Honey and Keira Gunning) and Fiddlesticks the cat, set off in hot pursuit.

It is then just a matter of time before Captain Redbeard (Harry Brown) and the Crew of the Curry Bean come face to face with the pursuing ship, the Crunchy Frog; guided by Captain Cod (William Priest) and misguided by the hilarious Admiral Hornhonker (Will Robins) and its rather motley crew.



the rest of this hard-working staff of ours carry out a range of tasks to ensure that the performance runs smoothly.

But as the children will tell you, this whole extravaganza happens because of the passion and hard work of one person in particular. The reason we have such talented young actors in the Prep School is no coincidence. Thanks to the enthusiasm, care and nurturing of Di Jones (ably supported by her sidekick Cameron Mills), we have ended up with yet another incredible school play and a group of pupils that have grown in confidence and are rightly very proud of what they have achieved.

Mike Furber

Next Week in the Prep School:Friday 24th June ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’ 4.30pmMonday 27th June Sports DayTuesday 28th June Year 6 trip to CrealyWednesday 29th June Year 1 and 2 last swimWednesday 29th June Year 6 Leavers’ barbeque 5.00pmThursday 30th June Year 3, 4 and 5 to DinglesThursday 30th June Years 1 and 2 last dayFriday 1st July Speech Day, term ends at 2.00pm

Whole School Photo - ORDER NOW!To view and order the recent whole school photo please go online to: www.gillmanandsoame.co.uk and log in with these details:Login: 328811Password: 987310

From Little Beginnings ...Not only are the wild flower seeds growing alarmingly tall and starting to flower, but also the seeds the children planted last year. We are all amazed that conkers planted in November are looking strong and also a lone apple pip seems to have taken hold. Whether they produce fruit remains to be seen, but like the children, with a bit of nurturing and the right environment, they are thriving.

There is also great excitement as the children have been busy practicing for Sports Day next Monday, always a fun and entertaining afternoon.

Jacqueline Biddlecombe

Summer ShowsThank you to all parents, pupils and Old Shebbearians who visited us at Royal Cornwall Show last week. Please come and see us at one of the following shows if you are able to, and bring the sunshine with you!

Woolsery Show, Clovelly25th July

Launceston Show28th July

North Devon Show, Umberleigh3rd August

Countryman’s Fair, Werrington, nr Launceston7th August

Okehampton Show11th August

Chagford Show18th August

Holsworthy Show25th August

A Plea from Finance - Library BooksPlease ensure all Library books are returned before the end of term.

What’s On:Saturday 25th June175th Anniversary Midsummer Ball

Sunday 26th June5th Form Prom, Westward Ho!

Monday 27th JuneAndy Briggs, Author visit for F1 and F2

Tuesday 28th JuneSenior School Sports Day

Friday 1st JulySpeech Day, 10.30am

Saturday 2nd JulyBoarders depart

A Word from the LibraryHolidays are approaching and now is a good time to be thinking about summer reading material. There are lots of suitable books - and many bargains! - in the TEEN book club. Mrs Welby has copies of the brochure so have a look and place your orders!

Alternatively, make use of the online system which has been set up at

http://schools.scholastic.co.uk/shebbearcollege



There are hundreds of fantastic books to choose from, including the lastest (and last ever) in the Cherub series New Guard by Robert Muchamore (£8.99 instead of £12.99); the beautifully written One by Sarah Crossan, winner of the Carnegie Medal (£4.99 instead of £7.99) and every £1 you spend on this month’s Book Club will earn 20p for our school in Scholastic Rewards.

Please place orders, which can be delivered to your home, by 10th July.

Jane Welby

OSA v 1st Team NetballLast Saturday, the 1st Netball team played our OSA girls. In what we all thought would be a land slide victory for the first team, the first quarter took a surprising turn of events, which saw the OSA girls take an early lead.

In similar vein to her brother’s performance in the cricket, the OSA team was complemented by Sara Jenn’s accurate shooting, as well as great team work from the others. At half time, there was still everything to play for and the OSA were only a few goals ahead. In the second half the 1st team started to put the OSA girls’ stamina to the test, but with sheer determination, the OSA managed to steal the victory with a final score of 27 - 21. Well done and thank you to everyone involved, it was a great day.

Naomi Giddy

OSA v 1st XI CricketThe weather was kind for the annual OSA v 1st XI cricket match on Saturday and when skipper Olly Wickett won the toss he chose to bat first on a slow wicket.

Jabez Weale (1-12) and Teriq Worrell (2-15) both took wickets in their opening spells and when Ali Akbar dismissed the coach’s son the OSA were in some trouble at 43-4. However, useful knocks from Reece Stanbury (28), Chris Jenn (32) and Charlie Nielson (29)meant a final score of 149 all out would be a challenging target for the school to chase down.

At 44-1 the boys were in with a real chance but with the introduction of Clara Nielson (4-39) and Russell Bryan (2-5) the team slumped to 68-6. There was some resistance from Worrell and Weale but both were out playing rash shots and the final total of 110 all out was rather disappointing.

Player of the Match award went to Clara Nielson for her excellent bowling spell.

Andy Bryan



Our overseas cricketers had a busy day on Tuesday, playing for the 1st XI at Plymouth College in the afternoon and Hatherleigh Cricket Club for a ‘staff’ team in the evening.

Against Plymouth College, skipper, Jabez Weale (3-23), bowled a devastating opening spell which saw the home side reeling at 32-4, but despite some accurate bowling from Teriq Worrell, Ali Shaikh and Dylan Swanepoel, we were unable to take another wicket and Plymouth finished on 158-4 from their 30 overs.

After a steady start, 3 wickets fell for 48 and despite an excellent innings from our U13, Rivaldo Clarke (59), we were still 30 runs short when the last wicket fell in the final over.

And so it was on to Hatherleigh where Ali Shaikh once again bowled a great spell, taking 4-24 in his 4 overs, but the strong Hatherleigh side, which included six first team players,still managed to amass an impressive 154 all out in their 20 overs.

Ismael Prince (34) and Jamie Sanders (18) got the staff reply off to a fine start, but despite a spirited effort from 5th wicket pair Simon Weale (42 not out) and Dylan Swanepoel (19 not out) the staff fell 19 runs short.

Andy Bryan

Horse of the Year ShowCongratulations Harry in Pre-Prep 1 for achieving 1st in Class at the Three Counties Show and qualifying for Horse of the Year Show. Harry is the youngest ever to qualify.

Di Jones

National Athletics ChampionshipsFollowing running a personal best for Devon U17 in the 1500m Steeplechase at last weekend’s South West Schools’ Athletics Championships, Eevee Banbury will now represent Devon in the National Schools’ Athletics Championships at Gateshead later this year. Congratulations Eevee.

Arron Steel



Picture this ... Boarders’ Summer Extravaganza - see more photos on our Facebook page



www.shebbearcollege.co.uk

Picture this ... Activities Week - see more photos on our Facebook page

our prep school performing ‘pirates of the curry bean’ · prep production - ‘pirates of the...

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