News

Berkshire Cup Champions for the Fourth Year Running!

Pangbourne College girls have successfully defended their title of U18 Hockey Champions for the fourth year in succession.

 

U15s Barrel Through to Second Round of Daily Mail Cup

On Wednesday 16th September the U15A team took to Whites in the First Round of the Daily Mail Cup. Their opponents were Windsor Boys, whose reputation as tough opponents followed them into this game. Pangbourne, who have had a good build up with some tough training and clear tactics from their coaches, appeared quietly confident.

The sideline was a veritable mêlée of Pangbourne supporters, parents, teachers and other pupils - this gave the match a great atmosphere, the chanting starting before the kick off, reminiscent of England at the World Cup in 2003!

Pangbourne won the toss and Captain Freddie Mills chose to play with the wind in the first half, playing up hill. After receiving a good kick off Pangbourne asserted their authority and displayed their intent to win with the slippery Hugo Lewis sniping round the fringes to score the first try of the game. The indefatigable Matthew Hill, who started the game carrying an injury to his ankle, made a huge physical impact and even appeared with a ball carry in the centres! Unfortunately for Matthew his ankle would not hold out and Alex Notley from the 3rd form nobly stepped up to the mark, coming on at prop and holding his own up front whilst making some bullocking runs in the loose

Freddie Craigie then cut a lovely line through their backs to go over under the posts, providing a simple conversion for Jordan Ethelston to slot over. Then Jordan added to the score sheet, picking a superb line through their centres with aplomb, he duly converted this. The next try came from the impressive Sam Meredith who had supported the play up the field and drove over for his first try. Windsor then kicked off deep into our 22, the ball was caught and Pangbourne attempted to run it out of the 22 rather than kicking to touch, this proved to be critical mistake as we lost the ball in a ruck and Windsor then made a break through our back line going over under the posts. This was the first and last mistake Pangbourne would make in the match. After taking the kick off from Windsor’s try, Pangbourne gained possession of the ball and Tom Yeulet went crashing over for the last try of the half. The first half ended with Pangbourne firmly in control of the game- a score line of 31-5 clearly showing our superiority. But they would have the wind…

The half time team talk was short and emphasised how we must stick to our game plan. We must continue as we started regardless of the score, sticking to the game plan and ensuring we were clinical in executing the game plan. Josh Abrahams was replaced by Sam Matthewman, as he had hurt his back in the front row after an excellent half of lineout throwing and scrummaging.

The second half started off with intent and direction. Cameron Leatham scored the first try of the second half and certainly deserved this as his support play was marvellous all day. Henry Meredith then slotted over the conversion with ease. Pangbourne’s next try came form a superb break, with Jonathan Lamport running a try in from the halfway line, displaying great pace and vision.

The Herculean presence of Freddie Mills then got his first try -coming from some immaculate driving from the forwards. Cameron Leatham then finished off the game with a superb try; taking a pop pass from the outstanding and belligerent Ethelston and finishing off under the posts.

Cameron Leatham was unanimously voted Man of the Match.

Pangbourne completed the game victorious , winning 57-5, and are now through to the third round of the Daily Mail Cup. They will be playing the winners of Round 2, either Reading School or St Bartholomew’s of Newbury. Wellington lurks in the shadows and the boys will have to up their game if they are to compete against the bigger rugby schools.

A superb game of Rugby and a big thank you to all who supported the team.

 

Charity Walk

Christopher Schrader and Charles Waite-Roberts successfully completed their charity walk from Land's End to the College, covering 350 miles in just 13 days.  The boys walked in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Joshua Hellmann Foundation for Orphan Disease.

International Rowing Achievement

Charlie Rendle and Charles Herbert were selected to row for Great Britain in the Rowing World Junior Championships at Brive La Gaillarde in France.

College in Robust Health

Pangbourne College started the new academic year (2009) with 415 pupils, one of the strongest school rolls in the College's history. 

Pangbourne Awarded IB World School Status

Pangbourne College has been awarded International Baccalaureate World School status and will offer the IB Diploma programme from September 2009.

    As part of the authorisation process the College received commendations for:

  • The vision of the governing body and senior management team, and their thorough strategic considerations for the introduction of the IB Diploma Programme
  • The preparedness of the teaching staff, ably led by an assured DP coordinator
  • The College's commitment to placing the student at the centre of education in the school, giving them responsibility, and instilling both a learning culture and pleasant ethos

 

Official Opening of Illawarra

Illawarra, the new girls' boarding house was officially opened by The Honourable Mrs Bayliss, Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, on Sunday, 7 September 2008.

Jordan Lightfoot, the Official Cadet for Mrs Bayliss and a former pupil of the College was in attendance.

Illawarra offers outstanding accommodation and study areas for 60 boarding and day girls and is part of the long-term strategic development and modernisation of the College. 

Olympic Gold for Former Pupil

Former pupil Andrew Simpson together with team mate Iain Percy contributed to Britain's most successful regatta in a century when securing first place and an Olympic Gold in the Star class event in Qingdao.