Category: General News

Woodbridge School Prep pupils have helped to revive a centuries-old custom at St Mary’s Church – the distribution of loaves on Candlemas Day (2 February) in accordance with the Will of George Carlow.

So who was he?

Within the precincts of the Bull Hotel in Woodbridge there is a quiet garden with an ancient tomb. Here, George Carlow, a former owner of the Bull, was laid to rest two hundred years ago. He belonged to a Christian sect called the Separate Congregation, who kept the Sabbath on Saturday. Rather than be  buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Carlow had a tomb built for himself in the hotel’s garden.

Carlow died on 2 March 1738, leaving a Will stipulating that the Rector and churchwardens of St Mary’s Parish Church ‘shall and do yearly and every year for ever after my decease give and distribute twenty shillings worth of good wheaten bread at, or upon, the said tomb on the second day of February, commonly called Candlemas, except when it is a Saturday …’ Similar instructions were also inscribed on his tomb, and were followed for many years. The custom was revived in 1867 and continued unbroken until recently, when the tomb became part of a private property.

And so it was with great joy that on Candlemas Day this year, the Rector of St Mary’s, the Revd Canon Kevan McCormack, and his two churchwardens were able to reinstate Carlow’s Dole, thanks to the hospitality of the Bull’s current proprietors, David and Sarah Clarke. They allowed the ceremony to take place in what is known as ‘Carlow’s Room’, and a group of children from Woodbridge School Prep were invited to take part . After telling the story of Carlow’s Dole, the Rector blessed the loaves, and with the churchwardens distributed them to the children. ‘So how much would twenty shillings be worth now?’ asked the Rector. The children quickly rose to the challenge – it helped that many of them were from the Maths group – and correctly calculated the present-day value to around £200.

The loaves, donated by Peter Wright of The Cake Shop, were made even more appetising when Mr and Mrs Clarke generously provided butter and jam (or marmite) and glasses of orange juice. One of the children gave a heartfelt vote of thanks, followed by uproarious general applause.

May George Carlow’s tradition long continue!

A message from Graham Watson, Chief Executive of Seckford Foundation:

I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors of the Seckford Foundation has appointed Clive Schlee as its new Chairman, succeeding Roger Finbow who retires from the role at the end of February. Clive will bring a broad range of experience to the Foundation, after spending the last sixteen years as Chief Executive of Pret A Manger.

Clive helped to grow Pret into a billion-pound business with strong values and over 500 stores in ten countries. Prior to that he spent 17 years in restaurants and financial services at Jardine Matheson & Co Ltd, the Hong Kong based conglomerate. He is also Chairman of Itsu, the London based sushi chain.

During his career, Clive has a track record of giving back to the community. He championed the Pret Foundation, greatly increasing its income and starting to offer jobs and accommodation to the homeless in addition to distributing unsold food to hostels every night.

Clive spent much of his childhood in Suffolk and has lived in Bromeswell for over 20 years. Following his retirement from Pret in October last year, he plans to spend more time in Suffolk and hopes to use his business experience to help the local community.

Roger Finbow, our current Chairman, said: “It has been a great privilege to be Chairman of the Seckford Foundation over a ten year period which has witnessed many changes in the fields in which the Foundation is active. I am delighted that Clive has been appointed to succeed me and am confident that he will find the role as challenging and enjoyable as I have.”

Clive Schlee said: “It is an honour to be able to serve the Foundation as it plays such an important role in the lives of so many people in Woodbridge and Suffolk.”

I am sure that you will join me in welcoming our new Chairman to the Foundation as he begins to immerse himself in the broad range of our work.  There will be opportunities to thank Roger for his huge commitment to the Foundation in due course.

Graham Watson
Chief Executive, Seckford Foundation

We are thrilled to announce Ms Shona Norman as the new Head of Woodbridge School.

Ms Norman’s appointment comes at the end of a comprehensive and thorough selection process that saw nearly 30 candidates from across the country and abroad apply for the role. The selection panel, which concluded its findings on Friday 15th November, came to a unanimous decision to invite Shona to become the next Head. 

Seckford Foundation Chair, Roger Finbow said:

“We are delighted with the outcome of this extensive selection process and our decision to invite Shona to lead our school.  Experience, style, competency and cultural fit were critical aspects of our decision and Shona stood out as a clear leader with the right vision and values. Today, Woodbridge offers a rich and vibrant learning environment for students of 4 to 18 and we are excited to give Shona the opportunity to build on the great work she has done for the School over the last 17 years and lead the School on to an even brighter future.”

Shona has been Woodbridge School’s Acting Head for the last six months and will officially assume the Head position on the 1 January 2020. 

Ms Norman commented:

“I am truly honoured to be given the opportunity to help our community write the next chapter for this fabulous and unique school.  At Woodbridge School, we have one of the best learning cultures of any education establishment, an expert and committed teaching staff, and over 750 vibrant and engaging pupils. I’m very grateful to the board and governors of the Seckford Foundation for the trust they have put in me to lead our school, and realise the many opportunities that lie ahead.”

The glorious afternoon sun was the ideal backdrop for Woodbridge School’s Open Day. Prospective parents and students were able to delight in a glimpse of all that is on offer with current students acting as proud guides, talking through their own personal experiences and recollections of what makes Woodbridge School so unique. Staff were on hand to share their passion for their specified subject both inside and outside of the classroom. The Acting Headteacher, Miss Shona Norman, spoke with pride about the education received here, an education that always focuses upon the individual but with consistent qualities in all of its students who remain ambitious, empathetic, confident and with a clear understanding of their responsibilities to their community.

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the death of Nicholas Garrett who passed away earlier this week. Nick was the very much loved Master of the Abbey from 1997 to 2015. He was appointed from St Andrew’s School, Eastbourne, and after leaving Woodbridge became Headmaster of a school in Abu Dhabi. He was diagnosed with cancer last year. An event to mark his life will be held in Woodbridge School at a later stage. I am sure you will join us in prayers for Nick’s widow Ruth, his daughters Anna and Lara (who are both teachers), and his wider family. Since his return from the UAE, Nick and Ruth have been living in Eastbourne, and we will forward to Ruth any correspondence received.

May he rest in peace.

With one week left before the European elections, the Woodbridge School candidates have been campaigning hard with posters, manifestos and flyers liberally distributed throughout the school community. On Thursday Evelyn, Oliver, Chase, George and James delivered their respective messages with powerfully emotive speeches to a crowded quad. Inevitably we heard primarily about the arguments for and against a second referendum, and desires to remain in the EU or to maintain the course set out following the electorates’ decision of June 2016. However, we were also treated to some wider political issues such as combating climate change and the promotion of human rights, just the kind of topics that will undoubtedly be discussed by the real MEPs. Well done to all participants and good luck next Thursday.

School’s Out Holiday Club returns to Woodbridge School this May Half term with exciting activities to suit all ages.

Early Explorers age 4-6 years

Creative Crew age 7-12 years

Adrenaline Adventure age 7-12 years

Next Generation age 13-16 years

Book now via www.schoolsoutactivities.co.uk

The ‘Have Your Say’ competition is organised by the Essex and East Anglian Branch of the Association for Language Learning.

It gives linguists across East Anglia an opportunity to speak and read in a language that they are learning.

With over 160 participants from ten different schools, competition at the regional preliminary round was fierce.

Congratulations to the following pupils who represented the School: Chloe Macmillan, Amy Thornley, Isla Richardson and Caitlyn Maggs (Year 7 Spanish); Jacob Cranfield and Malin Wijesinghe (Year 8 French); Chloe Dixon and Jade Soames (Year 9 Spanish). Chloe, Amy, Isla, Caitlyn, Chloe and Jade did fantastically well and gained a place in the final in May. Special thanks to Mrs McGlennon for accompanying the group.

After all the snow, Woodbridge School was finally able to host The Skinners’ School in the second round of the National U18 Plate Competition.  Woodbridge dominated the opening minutes but could not capitalise in creating a clear cut chance.  Momentum slowly started to shift as Skinners’ grew in confidence, but player of the match, Joshua Graves came into his own leading the defence as Dom Ellice-Freeman, Toby McNally, James Martin and captain James Meakin all tackled well outside the D and dealt with scrambles within it to clear the danger.  Meanwhile at the other end a Woodbridge attack led to a penalty corner and Alex Weir-Simmons put his drag flick on target, forcing a double save from the goalkeeper only for Oliver Buchanan to pounce on the rebound and score.

The second half saw Woodbridge much more dominant as they moved the ball to all corners of the pitch to great effect.  Hugo Kelleway, Alex Weir-Simmons, Oliver Bacon and Patrick Frebel worked tirelessly and the forwards led, rotated, pressed and worked back zealously.  Chances flowed and nine minutes into the second half James Phelan was rewarded for all his hard work with a very good goal, and shortly after Charlie Mayhew scored the first of his two.  With a healthy cushion Woodbridge continue to grow in confidence and play with freedom.  The Skinners’ goalkeeper played very well but couldn’t stop Alex taking our tally to 5-0.

This was a very good team performance in which each player can be very proud of their own play and contribution to the positive outcome.  Gutsy defending gave the attackers confidence and the team must be commended for keeping a clean sheet in this end to end, physical game.