Month: August 2014
On Wednesday 4 June and Wednesday 25 June 2014 we played rounders with St Mary’s Primary and Woodbridge Primary. We always enjoy playing these matches as we get to meet other girls and it helps us to improve our sport. In the St Mary’s match we each played 3 matches lasting 20 minutes each, (10 batting and 10 fielding). Every team played really well in the matches, especially the blue team which won overall. It was a fun day for everyone and we all enjoyed getting to know the girls at St Marys.
Thankfully it was a very sunny day and we all had fun at the picnic, which took place on the grass.
Zoe Newman and Petronella Powell
On Friday, 13 June 2014, Victoria, Sophie, Saffron and Annabel represented The Abbey at the Framlingham Tennis Festival. Five teams competed: Town Close, Holmwood House, Brandeston ‘A’ & ‘B’ and ourselves. It was a long and tiring day, not least because the sun shone and there wasn’t much shade. The matches were close too, particularly Victoria and Sophie’s drawn doubles match against Brandeston As. When all the results were added up we found out that we had won! For the second year running too! To cap off a marvellous event Victoria was named as Player of the Festival.
On Tuesday 17 June 2014, at Brandeston Hall, there was some excellent and amazing tennis taking place. There were some close matches, but most were easily won. The scores will tell of some excellently-played matches, for example: The 6-1 win against Orwell Park, in doubles and singles. There were 4 teams: Ipswich High, Orwell Park, South Lee and The Abbey taking part in the tournament. As well as easily won games, there were a few close games, for example one of Sophie’s games ended with a score of 7-5 to Sophie. This may sound like an easily won game, but there had to be a few extra matches played for this outcome.
In the final against Ipswich High, there was some excellent tennis played on both sides, but in the battle between the two fourths there was an amazing comeback from Annabel. It was 5-1 against Annabel, and with her opponent needing only 1 more game to win she was getting nervous. But as the score changed to 5-2 and 5-3, she was starting to regain her confidence. Annabel managed to get the score to 5-5 tiebreak, and decided that she had had such an incredible comeback that she was going to win. With concentration and determination she managed to win with a score of 7-5 to Annabel. This was a pleasant surprise, and proof that the score can change very quickly in tennis, whether you are playing in a school tournament or Wimbledon. This was a great experience with a thrilling outcome of gold for The Abbey! It was a highly enjoyable tournament and a lot of excellent tennis was played by everyone who entered.
A Yates and V Burrows
Unless you have led an entirely blameless life of virtue and industry the summons to the Headmaster’s office is always a moment to pause and rewind your life, checking for imperfections and shortcomings! So it was for me earlier this year when Stephen Cole asked me to make an appointment to see him. As I had just retired for the second time I wondered what was the purpose of the meeting. When he told me the OW’s wanted me to serve as Hon. President I was truly stunned. Not only had it never crossed my mind, but I immediately appreciated what a great honour it was – and so accepted.
What a long time ago it was when I came to Woodbridge by Eastern Counties bus to attend an interview for the position of Assistant Master to teach English. The year was 1969 and my meetings were with Desmond Proctor-Robinson (far more interested in hearing the result of the Derby, I seem to remember!) and John Rolland. Much later I discovered Mike Weaver was also on campus that day, although he was after the History job, which included a long walk round the cricket pitch with Norman Stevens who tried, but failed, to recruit him into the CCF. As in all these stories I was convinced I would hear no more from Woodbridge but that very evening John Rolland offered me the job.
We all like to reflect on moments that changed our life, but that day certainly changed mine. I not only began a career I came to love, but I later met my wife as a colleague, and made friends who remain close to me over 40 years later.
Teaching is a strange trade because it appears to be about passing on very specific factual knowledge but really it is about meeting all sorts of young people and finding what makes them tick. In my time I produced plays, paraded with the CCF, organised all sorts of presentations and entertainments and during these I came to know and admire the Woodbridge pupils – boys and girls. The learning process was all around me and I was part of it. That’s what makes Woodbridge School so special: when pupils return we may not remember anything about the lessons all those years ago, but now they are successful, interesting and kind people. You have no idea how satisfying it is to hope that you might just be a tiny part in their achievement.
See you at the OW Dinner on Saturday, 20th September!
Mark Mitchels
A Level Results 2014: Woodbridge bucked the national trend with an increase in the proportion of A*s. Over half the candidates gained an A* or A, and just under half gained three A grades or equivalent.
Many congratulations to our pupils on a superb set of GCSE results. Just under one in four grades awarded was an A*, while over half were graded A* or A.