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Two members of staff from the School are due to run this Sunday’s London Marathon; Mr Stafford the School’s Director of Finance will be running to raise money for Asthma UK, and Mr Walsh, the School’s PE and Strength and Conditioning Coach will be running in aid of Mind charity.

The virtual Virgin Money London Marathon is being held this year for the second time; 50,000 people from across the world will have the opportunity to complete 26.2 miles, taking part in the world’s greatest and biggest marathon ever staged.   Virtual runners will join Mr Stafford and Mr Walsh along with over 40,000 participants running the traditional Virgin Money London Marathon from Blackheath to The Mall.

Virtual runners, from all over the world, will download and use the Official Virgin Money London Marathon App.  The App not only helps bring the virtual experience to life with an exclusive audio commentary featuring famous voices, but enables them to log their 26.2 miles and earn the coveted medal and finisher T-shirt. 

Like a great deal of virtual and literal participants, Mr Walsh and Mr Stafford are aiming to raise money for two different charities.

Mr Walsh is running for the charity Mind

Mr Walsh feels passionately about Mind charity and commented, “I’m taking on this incredibly challenge and fundraising in support of Mind, because I feel it is such a worthwhile charity.  It will bring me great pride to be able to contribute to helping them provide support for people with mental health problems.  Personally, for me, running and exercise is a way to keep my physical and mental health in check, especially over the last 18 months.  It has allowed me and various other running partners to keep in touch as well as socialise whenever we can.  Thank you to anyone who has or will donate, I believe funds raised will have a real impact of supporting those with mental health issues.”  You can support Mr Walsh and Mind charity with a donation using this link if you would like to: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DominicWalsh6

Mr Stafford is running for Asthma UK

Mr Stafford is running to raise awareness of and money for Asthma UK and added, “I’ve had asthma myself since an early age, as have many of my close family.  The charity helps thousands of people with asthma, providing expert advice and support, as well as funding research into the disease.  As a sufferer it’s clearly something that’s close to my heart.  I was due to run this last April, but as you know it was cancelled due to Covid.  I’m really excited and honoured to be running this weekend and appreciate all the support I’ve had so far and might achieve through this appeal.”  You can support Mr Stafford and Asthma UK with a donation using this link if you would like to: Virgin Money Giving | London Marathon 2021

We wish them both the best of luck and want to acknowledge the wonderful examples they are setting for our students by not only supporting and encouraging interest in two important charities, but also by encouraging health and fitness as a way to support good mental health.

Last Sunday was the second running of the School’s annual 50 mile cross country relay challenge, and saw teams of staff and parents taking on the pupils.

Not for the faint hearted, each team consisted of seven athletes, each of them responsible for covering between five and ten miles in one mile intervals across the School’s tough cross country course.

With six teams in total, including younger Prep School athletes running a reduced distance, a grand total of 225 miles were covered – effectively running from Woodbridge to the outskirts of Bristol, which you’ll agree is some achievement!

In the A Team Clash, the adult runners, were given the opportunity to avenge the two minute loss of last year, which they did indeed, with a six minute victory over the pupils in total.  The student record of 4:48:10 from a year ago in 2020 remains intact, as does the lap record of 5:00, with the average over nine miles of 5:11. 

The Clash of the Seconds ended in 2020’s result being reversed, with the students gaining the upper hand this time, beating the adults by just over six minutes and both teams comfortably finishing within six hours.

Our Prep School team completed their 20 miles in 2:35:29, just missing the course record which was set last year at 2:29:57 – but an incredible effort from the youngest runners of the day.

The day wasn’t over though, and the icing on the cake (pun fully intended) came via the cake sale which helped keep the athletes and their families fuelled throughout the day as well as raising £103 for Cancer Research UK.

A huge thank you to all those who took part, the helpers and cake bakers for contributing to such a successful day for all in so many ways.

9th November 2020

In the run-up to Christmas, pupils and staff at Woodbridge School – from both the town’s Senior and Prep Schools – have set themselves a new #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge. The aim is to cover as many miles as possible over a two-week period, from today [9th November 2020] to 20th November 2020, to raise much-needed funds through sponsorship for local community charity, Home-Start in Suffolk, and to promote mental wellbeing at this very difficult time.

Every member of the Woodbridge School community, including pupils, teachers and staff across both sites, is being encouraged to set their own challenging distance goal, and will be asking their friends and family to sponsor them.

The #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge is the brainchild of Melissa Shanahan, History teacher and Deputy Head of Lower School at Woodbridge School, who explains her motivation behind the campaign:

“This year, more than ever, we have seen the importance of pulling together as a community, and helping those around us. I wanted to do something to bring our School community together as a team, working towards a shared goal, as we always do, and the #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge seemed a great way to be able to get fit – which we all know is important for mental wellbeing – and to raise much-needed funds.

“Home-Start will be working tirelessly over the next few weeks to ensure that no local family goes without food or presents this Christmas, and we are proud to be able to support them in their vital community efforts.”

Shona Norman, Head of Woodbridge School, said:

“Here, at Woodbridge School, we are proud to be continuing the legacy of our founder, Thomas Seckford, in supporting the local community. We have a long history of working with our neighbours to help to make a difference, and we look forward to really getting behind this #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Christmas Challenge to raise as much as we can for one of our most important local good causes, Home-Start in Suffolk, in a safe and COVID-secure way.

“As we enter a second lockdown period, it is especially important that we do all that we can to keep our minds and bodies healthy and active, so whether it is a sponsored run, walk or cycle, every little counts!”

Ali Watson, Fundraising & Marketing Manager at Home-Start in Suffolk, said:

“We have been really busy throughout the pandemic. The Coronavirus has had a huge impact on Suffolk families; and we have seen many families, who have never experienced difficulties in the past, struggle in a number of ways, particularly with financial hardship and isolation. We appreciate everything that Woodbridge School is doing on our behalf and we wish you all the very best with the #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge.” 

Woodbridge School has been working with Home-Start in Suffolk for some years. It is the county’s largest family support charity, with the vision that every child in Suffolk is given the best start in life because of the love, support and guidance they receive from their parents, guardians or the people performing the role of their parents. https://www.homestartinsuffolk.org/families

To find out more about Woodbridge School’s #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge and to donate, go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-portal/fundraiserPage?pageId=1211384&newPage=true#

For further information on Woodbridge School, visit www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk

To learn more about Home-Start in Suffolk, go to https://www.homestartinsuffolk.org/

Photo caption: Pupils and staff at Woodbridge School are pulling together to raise much-needed funds for local community charity, Home-Start in Suffolk. The newly-launched #Woodbridge4Woodbridge Challenge aims to cover as many sponsored miles as possible over a two-week period, from 9th to 20th November 2020. [Credit: WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL]

The efforts of the Woodbridge Sports department in their fundraising for the WoodenSpoon Charity.

Yesterday (11 March) Mr Devir, Head of Rugby at Woodbridge School met with John Winders, President of the Eastern Counties Rugby Union. To open a ‘Learning Kitchen’ at the Porch Project in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Derek Grimwood, Porch Project Manager described the new facility as “Somewhere where young people and their family will be able to learn about food hygiene and healthy eating across the family unit.”
The kitchen is just part of a larger upgrade to the centre, which was established to in 2009 give people between the ages of 11-20 somewhere to go and socialise.

The School helped raise the money with WoodenSpoon ambassadors Ollie Phillips and Tamara Taylor at a Dinner and Silent Auction back in November 2019 which raised an amazing £4,500.

Pupils were also treated to master classes from both Ollie and Tamara which has led to more Girls rugby wit hour first fixture on 26th March 2020.

Well done to Mr Denvir and the team for all their work in fundraising for such and excellent cause.


Evelyn’s Father reports:
By way of quick update, Evelyn raised several hundred pounds for the Salvation Army this year, thanks in part to some very kind donations from the Woodbridge School community.  In all, Evelyn was able to buy presents for 40 people who were homeless and/or lonely this Christmas and who celebrated Christmas Day with the Salvation Army in New Street, Woodbridge.  Please could you extend our great thanks to the Woodbridge School community.

Mr Streat’s tutor group would like to thank everyone for their very generous approach to assault and battery!  What a pleasure it was to be drenched by buckets and flattened by sponges full of water.  If only it had been snowing…

We raised a brilliant £145.40 for the Bridge School, Islington – this is money which will make a real and tangible difference to the lives of the lovely children there who have to live with severe or profound learning difficulties.  And if you enjoy the pictures and video, and feel you were almost there throwing your own sponge, then why not make a contribution! You can do that via my Just Giving page all set up for the Bike Ride in the Summer (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-streat7).  And talking of which… there is still room for more riders on 23 June so look down for the information below and get in touch.

OW Tess Bryson writes:

‘I have independently organised (not through university or via a charity), to go to Maya Universe Academy for all of July to help tutor children in English, teach them sport and help the construction team to improve the facilities of the school. The Academy, situated near Kathmandu, is for Nepalese children up to aged 15. I am seeking to raise £700 both to help fund the trip and supply the school with the kind of necessary items that we take for granted here in the UK.
I would be incredibly grateful for any support anyone can offer.  My justgiving page is  https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tessbrysonnepal?utm_id=2&utm_term=adQ5jYyWA.  Many, many thanks.’

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