Month: January 2017
On Saturday 28 January Alfie Glendinning and Minnie Wayman both competed in the UK Cold Water Swimming Championships at Tooting Bec Lido. With no wet suits allowed and the water an extremely chilly 1.5o c speed was of the essence! First up was Alfie in the boys u14 years 30m free which he won in 21.73 seconds. Minnie was next in the girls u14 years 30m free which she won in 19.07 seconds. Alfie then had another swim, racing in the boys u14 years 30m head up breaststroke which he won in 33.20 seconds. After a dip in the hot tub and some hot drinks Minnie competed in the mixed 4 x 30m freestyle relay with swimmers from Felixstowe, Diss and Leiston. They finished a highly creditable 5th out of 31 teams in a time of 1.26.83. The combined upper age limit for their category was 160 years, they came in at a combined age of 61 years, winning a special prize as youngest team. A hugely enjoyable day, they’re both looking forward to the next Championships in 2019!
Mrs Hodson, who is a nurse, visited Reception to talk to them about nursing. She showed them how to assess a casualty and how to put them in the recovery position and call the emergency services. She also brought bandages and slings and after modelling what to do, let the children have a go. Before long, the classroom looked like A&E with all sorts of injuries carefully bound and strapped. Lots of children decided they want to be medics when they grow up. A huge thank you to Mrs Hodson for such an inspiring experience.
Myles King (Woodbridge 1st team vice-captain) and Ben Kilburn (Woodbridge 1st team captain) competed at the U18 National Indoor “Super 6’s” Finals for their club, Harleston Magpies on 21-22 January. This was Myles’ second trip to the U18 finals weekend, winning the title last year. This year Myles captained the team who made it all the way to the semi-final stage of this prestigious competition. Magpies represented the East of England after qualifying through the county and regional rounds. The team showed great discipline in the pool matches in the way they played, winning three games on the way to qualifying for the semi-final. In the semi-final they came up against the experienced team from Canterbury and had to settle for a tightly contested 2-4 defeat. Some amazing indoor hockey was played and superb goals scored. This was a great experience and achievement for Myles and Ben, testing themselves against the best U18 indoor players in the country and placing their team amongst the top four indoor teams in England. Well done! We are very proud of you.
Five students from Woodbridge School Sixth Form are thrilled to receive offers from Britain’s most prestigious universities. The successful students have each received conditional offers to read their chosen subjects at either Oxford or Cambridge universities from September 2017.
Oxford University offers went to James Bellhouse to study History at St Hughes College, Sophie Read to study Experimental Psychology at Brasenose College, and George King to study English at Lincoln College. Cambridge University offers went to Lydia Cook to study Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Peterhouse, and Poppy Hill to study Classics at Jesus College. Poppy received her A Level results in July and is currently enjoying a gap year travelling abroad.
The five students, four of whom are currently working towards their A-Levels, had to submit a written application and undergo an interview before hearing about their offer. As well as their academic ability, the pupils had to demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving abilities and a keen understanding of their chosen subject.
Four of the students have been at Woodbridge since the very start of their school lives. Congratulations to all!
At 9.15am on Tuesday 17 January 44 athletes boarded the coach for Lincroft school for the annual Bedfordia Cross Country Competition.
Over 30 schools from all around the midlands took part and this created an excellent atmosphere amongst all competitors, especially the year 5 students who had never competed in such a vast event before.
Following a walk of the course the athletes changed and then it was race time.
Year 5 girls were first to race in a field over 300 runners, and they were superb.
Sophia Waterer had a storming run (83) and crossed the line in front of the rest of The Abbey students with Georgina Phillips (93), Charlie Hattan (96) and Havannah Vincent (106) not far behind. Mihi Forbes Ballard (227), Polly Scoggins (220) and Milly Johnson (221) decided it was best to run together to navigate the number of competitors and to stay safe during the run, all three completing the run with smiles on faces and keen to race again. The team finished a creditable 22nd out of 34 teams.
Year 5 boys were even more nervous after they had watched the ‘stampede’ of the girls’ race, as one of the runners called it!! Solid performances all round with Luca di Paola (33) leading the way, closely followed by Jonjo Walker (74)and then a throng of Abbey athletes with John Hall (132), Arthur Na Nakhorn (133) Henry Shaw (134) all pushing each other along throughout the race. James Hattan (150) did well to push his way through the crowd following a slow start and Edward Carter (206) and Jack Palmer (207) finished strongly to ensure that the team finished 16th out of 33 teams.
Year 7 Girls warmed up with a purpose, knowing that they had run several times before, and with the training were in excellent condition to do well.
The start was fast and furious and after the first 500yards the field settled into their running. Amy Goddard gradually made her way through the field, finishing in a fantastic 3rd position, Anna Jackson fought her way around the course and eventually finished 19th with Ella Pitt (40) and Lucy Clare(66) close behind, Annie Nicholass (102) and Iris Morton(105) completed the team effort and ensure that the Year 7 girls finished a creditable 7th in the competition.
The Gauntlet was thrown down to the Year 7 boys to finish higher still, and try they did with some excellent running from Ed Rufford (7) , Tom Martin (36) and Sam Bolus (44). The wait was on for the rest of the team mates to see if they could better the girls’ seventh place!! There was then a frenzy of finishers with James Holliday (107), Archie Sjoberg (121), Archie Bacon (122), Tom Childs (134) and Archie Cartwright (143) to make for a team placing of eleventh: the Year 7 Girls were still the best team of the day.
Year 8 girls were next to step up to the challenge and they were confident , with the experience of competing in events like this before. They were happy to let the front runners sprint off and then slowly pick them off around the course and that’s exactly what they did!! Bea Thomas (2) sat and waited as the main pack sprinted away, but an excellent run and strong finish saw her home with Molly Marshall (3), Cecily Royal-Dawson (6), Jess Elmer (7) and Emily Whyte(9). The team were in an excellent position, and when Ella Walker ran the final corner and sprinted to the finish line to finish (28) the team were reunited and just needed to wait on the result.
Year 8 boys had just witnessed an incredible run by the girls and knew that they had to match the outcome. Charlie Turner and George Wharam looked relaxed and chilled as the pack set off at a great pace, but the boys after numerous races were confident that they could win the race and do that they did! Charlie and George crossed the line hand in hand to finish joint first!… But the team had to back them up and finish strongly… and with Kit Evans Lombe (4), Tom Harper (10), Will Franklin (11) and Tom Turner (28) the team did just that. Mauricio Corfe (31), John Hendry (45) and Ruben Kill (80) who are all expert over shorter distances offered excellent support.
The Year 8 girls and boys did remarkably well, both finishing 1st in their competitions.
It was a great day, especially for the Year 5 students who have never competed in an event like this before.
The U13As, despite some players down due to illness, still put out four (victorious!) teams v RHS, and played brilliantly! They were always in control of the game and I didn’t doubt their ability to win for a second. Olivia Buchanan controlled the attacking third of the court brilliantly and shot consistently to put us up 7-3 at quarter time. Eleanor Wright, as WD played a solid game and made some great interceptions and Issy Eaton and Ariane Bilgen worked tirelessly in the defending circle, with some great turnover balls used to our advantage. Ella Walker was a controlling influence in the centre of the court and linked beautifully with the defence and attack of Rebecca Yardy who played very well. Cordelia Griffiths and Emily Whyte who both played shooter attacked out of the circle and created brilliant space and won some important rebounds. We were up 13-5 at half time and gave ourselves some breathing space for the second half. We were then joined by Molly Marshall and Clara Simpson who had played fantastically for the B team in the first half. Both girls made their mark on the team and we stretched our lead to 18-9 with 10 mins to go. A great quarter to see out the match from all the players meant that we had our second victory of the season under our belt – good skills! Bring on Ipswich School at the weekend.
Wow – what a Christmas Holidays.
My Ski training started on Saturday 10 December and I had the run up to Christmas training in Austria with Ambition Racing – my ski Team.
Training weeks mean early starts – normally 5am then breakfast at 5.30am, to be on the Mountain and ready to practice from 7am until 1pm. Then back to our team base for a pasta lunch and then off to the local Austrian school 2.30pm – 6.30pm with our tutors to keep up to date with school work and homework, then back to base for supper and ski preparation ready for the next morning. Not exactly a holiday but good fun as well as being hard work.
This routine continued after Christmas – I felt like I was the only person in school on 28 December, as it is not possible to fit in school work on days where we are racing, all non-racing week days are school days.
My first competitions as a fully fledged member of the team were VERY exciting. I couldn’t wait to see if all the training I have done since last May was going to make a difference.
On 6-8 January the Ambition Championships took place in in Hinterreit, about 15 minutes from our training base. I won three silver medals and a bronze – I was thrilled, especially as I was the fastest English girl. On 10-11 January the first Evolution Speed Championships took place. The location, Reiteralm, was about an hour and a half away from base, so very early starts. I was thrilled to win first place in the British Giant Slalom U12, and second in the International competition.
I am back in England until Saturday 21 January I have to work on my fitness, training every morning before school to keep my legs and knees strong and keep improving my core and cardio fitness. Then back to the slopes in Switzerland for three days of training before the next races.
Won 34-13
This was a fantastic displays of some great netball by a large squad of players in the U13s. There were some great passages of play and we were always in control of the game. Olivia Buchanan, Emily Whyte, Ella Walker and Cordelia Griffiths shot well in the circle and they were well supported by some great defensive play by Issy Eaton, Ariane Bilgen, Molly Marshall, and Eleanor Wright. We looked after our turnover ball quite well but held it together in the centre of the court with Clara Simpson, who made some great interceptions, Rebecca Yardy who was cool under pressure and Jess Elmer who moved up and down the court effortlessly.
A great start to the season. Well done!
On Thursday 12th January, Woodbridge School hosted the County Schools’ cross country race. This race was the final competition for the County to select their cross country team for the Anglian Championships. After finishing in the top 50 at RHS in October and top 40 at Culford in December, this competition was going to be tough – however, having the home advantage gave each Woodbridge School runner the incentive, confidence and determination to do well. Coming in the top 12 would gain a place in the county team, so the competition was on!
37 runners made it through to this final round from Culford, but due to injuries and illnesses, only 30 ran – which was still a phenomenal number. 12 out of the 30 runners gained a top 12 place, which was just superb, and is evidence of the depth and level of performer we have at Woodbridge. The top 12 in each race will be selected for the County team to compete at the Anglian Schools’ and if a top 8 place is gained there, then the athletes will go on to represent the County at England Schools’ in March. Good luck to all!!
Special mention and congratulations must go to the following runners who all gained medals; Nathan Goddard, Sarah Barker, Amy Graham, Charlie Turner & Ruby Vinton. These athletes did the most amazing job gaining a top 3 place in their race, especially as they were all running a year up in their respective races. Well done to all the runners in what was an excellent and successful day.
Results:
Minor Girls: Ruby Vinton 1st, Amy Goddard 4th & Anna Jackson 32nd
Minor Boys: Edward Rufford 5th, Edward Buckingham 7th, Tommy Burrows 17th, George Na Nakhorn 29th & Tom Martin 41st.
Junior Girls: Bea Thomas 7th, Molly Marshall 8th, Sophie Graham 17th, Issy Eaton 22nd, Jess Elmer 24th, Emily Whyte 35th, Victoria Burrows 37th.
Junior Boys: Charlie Turner 3rd, Kit Evans Lombe 6th, Thomas Harper 19th, Nathaniel Gunn 20th, Will Franklin 26th, Tom Turner 33rd, Mauricio Corfe 38th & Billy Zhu 45th.
Inter Girls: Sarah Barker 2nd, Amy Graham 3rd & Milly Buckingham 12th.
Inter Boys: Nathan Goddard 1st, George Rufford 17th, Alex Evans Lombe 21st & Daniel Davies 22nd.
The event was brilliantly organised (a comment from the Suffolk Association Chairman), and the course was challenging and perfectly set out. Such a fantastic event could not happen without the help of so many people, so our thanks go to the following:
Mark Goddard, parents and volunteers on the day (and in preparation for the event – taping the course etc.), grounds staff for excellent organisation of the course, and all our staff for marshalling.
We were delighted to welcome local author Andrea Skevington, as our guest judge. She clearly enjoyed the competition and was very impressed with the high standard of reading. She gave some insightful and very encouraging feedback to all of our readers.
Alice Sharratt was the overall winner of the competition and will be formally presented the Richardson Cup at The Abbey Prize Giving. Andrea Skevington felt Alice had made a brave choice in her reading material, The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo It required a slow contemplative start which Alice delivered brilliantly. She created suspense and the room fell completely silent as the audience hung on to her every word.
Well done and congratulations to all of our fantastic winners.