Unforgettable Night at the Shiplake College Summer Ball

What a night to remember! The Shiplake College community came together in spectacular fashion for this year’s Summer Ball, delivering an evening filled with laughter, generous giving, and vibrant celebration.

The seamless success of the event was down to the brilliant organisation of the Parents' Association, with special thanks owed to outgoing co-chair Sarah Mullens and co-chair Jo Broad for their untiring dedication.

The festivities kicked off with sunny pre-dinner drinks on the lawn, where Frank - the College's new mobile catering unit - made a grand impression after being transformed into a stylish gin and spritz bar. Guests relaxed and socialised nearby under the stretch tent while listening to a superb performance by our talented pupil band, Luke Leamon, George Blumfield, and Johnny Pearson.

Moving indoors, guests were seated inside a beautifully decorated marquee, exquisitely transformed thanks to the creative eye of Jo Palmer and Helen Stamoulis. Headmaster Tyrone Howe warmly welcomed everyone before getting the fun underway with a lively game of Heads and Tails. Congratulations to Kate Wray, who outlasted the room to take home the magnum of champagne!

A delicious dinner followed, prepared and served seamlessly by the Thomas Franks Catering team under the leadership of Claire Old and Head Chef Sujith Peduru.

Generosity was front and centre throughout the evening. A fast-paced Live Auction sparked energetic bidding across its first six flagship lots, accompanied by incredible support for the 15 additional prizes in the Silent Auction and a bustling Raffle with fantastic prizes.

A particularly poignant moment came when the floor was handed over to our Summer Ball charity partner, Riverside Counselling. Catherine McLaughlin spoke movingly about the charity’s vital role in the wider community, followed by a deeply emotional video showing the life-changing impact Riverside had on one of its now trustees and their family.

With dinner finished, it was time to hit the dancefloor. The magnificent JG Collective took to the stage, playing hit after hit and keeping the party going well into the night. And of course, the evening wouldn't have been complete without a nod to the pitch - a huge cheer went around as guests celebrated England's fantastic win against Panama - which of course saw them into the latter stages of the World Cup!

An Incredible Fundraising Achievement

Thanks to the remarkable generosity of everyone in attendance, the Summer Ball raised an extraordinary amount for two extremely worthy causes:

£8,000 from ticket sales for the Shiplake College Paws for Thought Campaign (supporting the creation of the new Wellbeing Centre)

£25,000 for Riverside Counselling

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who attended, donated, offered auction items, and bought raffle tickets. It was a true showcase of the warmth, spirit, and strength of the Shiplake Community!

How to Support:

If you were unable to make the Summer Ball or would like to make a further contribution to either cause, please consider donating via the links below:

Support the Wellbeing Centre: Donate to the Paws for Thought Campaign

Support Local Charity Riverside Counselling: Donate to Riverside Counselling