Category: Senior School News
Students from Years 7 to 10 took part in the English Schools Athletics Track and Field Cup First Round Suffolk this week, on Tuesday 10 May in Bury St Edmunds.
Ali Scahill, Head of Athletics
Tuesday 10 May saw the first round of the English Schools Track and Field Cup at West Suffolk Arena in Bury St Edmunds. This competition is open to all schools in Suffolk.
A team of thirteen/fifteen students have to cover all events between them, doing two events each (one track one field) scoring points for their distances and times.
Four teams are available, the best of Year 7 and 8 making Junior Girls and Boys teams, and then the best of Year 9 and 10 making Intermediate teams.
Despite a mixture of weather throughout the day Woodbridge did very well amongst the fourteen schools taking part, with all teams finishing in the top three.
The Intermediate Girls team won with 318 points and will go to the next round on Friday 17 June in Chelmsford. This score was greatly helped by Nancy who threw the hammer 43.48m as the first event of the day to score 33 points. She went onto score 14 points for her hurdles making her top girl scorer of the day for Woodbridge.
Lara was the next highest combined score for her high jump and 800m. The Intermediate Boys team finished second. They did extremely well with call offs on the day and a couple of drop outs in the week. Ethan scored the top points of the day with 48 for his long jump and 100m. Oscar B scored the next highest in his hurdles and long jump.
The Junior Girls finished second as well, only 11 points behind the first team. Top scorer Sophie for 1500m and relay scoring 35 but Charlie scored 34, Lyrah and Millie both 33 and Eloise 31 so a string of very good scores.
The Junior Boys team finished 3rd. Arthur and Ed both scored 26 to be joint top scores for their team. We wait to see if the second places scored high enough to qualify for the next round.
Well done to all the athletes, particularly those who stood in for events that were perhaps not their first choice.
For information:
Students from Year 7 included:
Oliver, Lade, Oscar, Georgia, Isabella, Felicity, Amelie, Romilly and Sophie.
Students from Year 8 included:
Millie, Lyrah, Eloise, Lily, Aurelia, Charlie, Lily, Arthur, Sam, Huw, Ed, Ernest, Oscar, Jasper, Charlie, Robert, Sam, Theo and Alex.
Students from Year 9 included:
Rose, Libby, Ella, Nancy, Georgia, Lara, Lilanna, Archie, Oser, Angus, Gabriel and Harry.
Students from Year 10 included:
Ethan, Hugh, Bruce, Toby, Oscar W, Isaac, Tolly, Tom, Oscar B, Skyla, Flo, Rosie, Sophia, Millie, Charlotte, Issy and Nancy.
Woodbridge School is proudly supporting this year’s Woodbridge 10K Road Race, taking place this Sunday 8 May.
Home to the independent co-education day and boarding school for students age 4 to 18, Woodbridge School has been involved with the race for several years now and as part of the local community, feeling incredibly proud to continue to sponsor the event. Working together with the local community is one of the School’s key values; the fact that the race takes place outside the King’s Head public house happens to be a wonderful co-incidence since it was here that the School was originally founded in 1587.
The event, which has raised over a million pounds for local charities over its 40-year history, aims to raise funds for five local charities this year including Jetty Lane, Seckford Almhouses, Project 21, 4yp and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Alongside other sponsors including Adnams, Fenn Wright, Barker Gotelee, East of England Co-op and Notcutts, to name only a few, Woodbridge School staff and students will also be entering the race hoping to beat personal bests and of course, wanting to win!
Offering runners of all abilities and levels the opportunity not only to compete but to enjoy the sights and sounds of Woodbridge town along the 10K route, the race is part of the Woodbridge Round The Town Races which sees a 10K race for runners aged 15 years old and over, alongside a junior 1.5K race open to runners aged between 7 and 15 inclusive.
With so much going on and so many events and trips out for our boarders, we will continue providing regular reports and updates through our weekly newsletter, and also online.
Beginning with a roundup from the Bank Holiday weekend and Easter Break’s activities for boarders from Years 9 to 13, it was a busy couple of weeks for those returning home or to their guardians, as well as those who remained in School House.
There were various activities and trips, including journeying to Cambridge for a tour of Homerton College, a day of fun with bouncy/inflatable structures, summer games and a BBQ, as well as birthday celebrations which always go down a treat with everyone – including the birthday girl/boy!
Those that returned home were back to School last week recounting a visit to see Polina in Prague by Matteo, who of course fell in love with the beautiful city, and had a super time. Nicholas visited his English relatives spending time in most of the major cities around the UK including Edinburgh which is now his first choice in terms of university preference. And James played rugby for Southwold in a big tournament, his team coming away as overall winners which was obviously something to celebrate – and that he did.
Alongside all other news, events, activities and revision time, the boarding house also welcomed three new boarders: Gabriel from Germany, Oliver from France (whose brother boarded at Woodbridge in 2019) and Josh who has become a weekly boarder.
We look forward to reporting more from School House in the next few weeks as students get out and about, spend time taking part in various activities and continue their revision ahead of summer exams.
Junior 1 Girls – Report from Dom Walsh
Our Junior 1 Girls cricket team were in action this week, scoring 142/6 v King’s Ely 65/6.
After some disruptive rain, the Junior 1 Girls team got off to a flying start with year 8’s Bea and Year 7’s Amelie putting on a partnership of 62 runs.
A little fight back from Kings Ely didn’t do enough to stop Woodbridge from scoring freely with Year 7’s Francesca and Year 8’s Eloise putting on a nice partnership to help us finish on 142/6 off 20 overs.
It was a bowling display to be extremely proud of with all bowlers being very economical and restricting Kings Ely to 65 runs from their 20 overs, well done to Year 8’s Lily for taking two wickets.
A great win to start the season, well done to everyone that took part.
Outstanding performances from Year 8’s Bea with 29, and Year 8’s Lily with 2 overs, 1 maiden, 4 runs and 2 wickets!
Junior 2 Boys – Report from Ian Simpson
Also in action this week were our Junior 2 Boys cricket team, playing against King’s Ely in the rain unfortunately.
Playing only 12 overs, the pressure was on for the opening batsmen to score runs quickly so that we could post a strong score.
Unfortunately we lost two quick wickets with Theo (Y8) and Harry (Y7) departing with single figure scores, however Edward (Y8) and Charlie (Y7) then set about restoring the balance and ensuring a solid platform was laid for the next batsmen. Charlie eventually departing for a rapid 23, including a lovely 6.
When Charlie departed Arlo (Y8) entered the arena and set about increasing the run rate, smashing boundaries all over the place, including a majestic 6 over the bowlers head. At the end of the innings Woodbridge had accumulated 94 runs with Arlo unbeaten on 32 and Edward unbeaten on 22.
The challenge now was to restrict Kings Ely and apply pressure with some excellent fielding. Arlo set a very tactical field and this ensured not many runs were conceded early, with Charlie only going for one run in his over and this was ably supported by Liam (Y7), Angus(Y8) and Theo who all only went for 3 runs in their overs, restricting the Opposition to 68 in total.
A great team performance to start the year and a great building block for the next game.
Junior 3 Playing against King’s Ely on Wednesday too were our Junior 3 Boys cricket team, all Year 7 students.
This team started the season extremely well. On a very wet day we put the opposition into bat in a reduced format of 10 overs. As it was such a shortened game everyone was given the opportunity to bowl one over. The bowlers bowled an excellent line and length, restricting the opposition to 62 off 10.
Bowlers of mention were Arthur L who took 1 wicket for 2 runs and Toby C and Oliver Y who both bowled one over for one run. Mention must also be made to Oliver M’s excellent wicketkeeping.
The openers of Toby and Oliver R set about chasing the total. Importantly both played the ball on merit, keeping the good ball out and hitting the bad, Toby hitting the shot of the day with a superb back foot drive. They managed to bat through the innings to allow us to win the match by 10 wickets (with 2 overs to spare). Toby scored 15 not out and Oliver scored 22 not out.
The match was won by 10 wickets – well done everyone!
Importantly each and every one of the team played superbly and looked a professional unit, and I look forward to the remainder of the season.
Senior Girls (U18) – Report from Matt Davis
Our Senior Girls U18 team played their first ever match, and it was against King’s Ely this week. A great match, resulting in King’s Ely taking the win by 5 wickets. None the less, it was an opportunity to play together for the first time as well as learn and progress
The weather in the early part of the cricket season can always be a bit on the chilly side but it was great to be able to host King’s Ely for this match.
Woodbridge batted first and promptly lost two wickets in the first two balls – an inauspicious start!
Fortunately thanks to Clara (Y13) , Esme (Y11) and Ruby (Y11), and their determined and gritty battling, Woodbridge bootstrapped themselves up to 118 for 9.
With the ball Woodbridge managed to dislodged a few of the Ely batsmen but in truth they were always ahead of the run rate.
Well played to everyone who took part – and special thanks to Mr Burns and Mr Pineo who officiated with aplomb.
Students from Years 10 to 12 took part in the LAMDA Senior Showcase this week, performing to staff and parents on stage at The Seckford Theatre. Our Head of LAMDA, Susan Lockwood, reported on the evening’s entertainment.
The audience was transported through a journey of time starting with Greeks and Antigone and ending with Jessica Swales Blue Stockings.
In the intermission we had a political speech on behalf of the Ape party given by Year 10’s Harry and a taste of Indian cookery from Year 12’s Khushi.
Year 10’s James and Year 11’s Oliver transported us to the Greeks times, while Year 11’s Kitt and Year 10’s Eveny provided laughter through the writing of Oscar Wilde.
Year 10’s Alexander and Phoebe took us to London in the 1920s with Present Laughter Pygmalion played by Year 11’s Tabitha and Evelyn, which was later turned into the film My Fair Lady.
Next we were taken on a journey to Italy in Daughters of Venice, performed by Year 11’s James and Oliver; with Year 11’s Mae and Lala performed a gripping scene set in a women’s prison called Mercy Fine.
Then we were off to Brighton in the 1960s for One Man Two Governors, an American apartment in Precious Little Talent performed by Eveny.
We were also treated to a performance of Laura Wade’s Riot Club, performed by Year 11’s Oliver and Year 10’s James.
Finishing with Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale, set in 1896 in Cambridge university the first college to admit women, This was thoughtfully performed by Year 11’s Tabitha Knight and Evelyn.
Well done to everyone who performed, thank you to those who attended and we look forward to the Junior Showcase which takes place next Thursday, 12 May; our very own Woodbridge Fringe Festival!
LAMDA classes are open to all, if you’re interested in joining or just finding out more about what we do, please contact slockwood@woodbridgeschool.org.uk . Lessons are not only good fun, but great for budding actors , building confidence and helping with building confidence to speak in public.
Susan Lockwood
Head of LAMDA
Woodbridge School Equestrian Showjumping Team had a fantastic day at Boyton Hall NSEA show on 20 April, for the Jumping with Style Qualifier. Alison Scahill osur Head of Athletics and Minor Sport reports on the day.
A brilliant start to the morning with a team win in the 70-75cm for Year 7’s Harry, Year 9’s Zac and Year 7’s Edie With Zac taking 2nd place individually.
This was quickly followed by another team win in the 80-85cm for Team Blue, which consisted of Harry, Edie and Year 9’s Phia. Team Red’s Zac, Year 9’s Oscar and Phia achieved second place.
Individual placings saw a win for Oscar, 2nd place for Harry and 4th place for Edie.
Our 90-95cm team of Oscar, Year 9’s Lois, Phia and Eve took another win with our individual placing of Oscar in 2nd, Lois in 3rd and Eve taking 4th place.
Eve, Lois and Year 11’s Ada then finished in 2nd place in the 1-1.05m with Eve 2nd and 3rd individually and Ada 5th.
Ada and Eve jumped two fantastic rounds in the 1m10 individual to both qualify as individuals.
A great day of qualifications for the National Championships in Keysoe in October 2022 in the 70-75, 80-85, 90-95 and 1m10.
Alison Scahill
Head of Equestrian
This week saw the School’s 1st boys XI cricket match against MCC on Tuesday in School, an annual fixture something much anticipated and looked forward to. You can read more about the match and the players who took part in Mr Simpson’s report.
In the annual fixture vs the MCC, the MCC batted first and scored 201 for 4 from 47 overs.
The MCC started fast, scoring rapidly from the onset and looking to chalk up a huge score on the main square, however some excellent fielding and solid re-adjustment by the bowling attack saw the opponents scoring rate slow down. With notable contributions from Year 13’s Jack taking two wickets, Year 13’s Tom bowling 14 overs for just 52 runs and also taking a wicket and Year 13’s Kit bowling seven overs for just 19 runs, the match was fiercely fought by Woodbridge.
It’s fair to say that the MCC side were limited. In return, Woodbridge lost a wicket on the first ball of the reply, but Tom (Y13) and Joe (Y10) worked hard to put on 45 for the second wicket of the day.
With Tom batting well, the total was inching closer, however with the 1st XI on 78 we lost four wickets, including the wicket of Tom (Y13) for 49 runs. The loss of quick wickets put a damper on the chase and the rest of the team never really got set to chase the total. The 1st XI were all out for 109.
A valiant effort with lots of lessons learnt for the future.
The MCC give out a Spirit of Cricket Award for cricketers who show exemplary spirit, or for a cricketer who performs to a high standard. This year the MCC handed out two caps; the first for Tom for his 49 and the second for Jack, for his two wickets.
But well done to everyone who took part including:
Thomas Y13 – Captain
James Y11
Joe Y10
Fazil Y11
Kit Year Y13
Oscar Y10
Edward Y12
Henry Y12
Barnaby Y13 (W)
Jack Y13
Archie Y12
Henry (sub) Y10
Barney (sub) Y7
Samuel (sub) Y8
Ian Simpson
Head of Music Mrs Kent described this year’s inaugural Music residential trip to Bawdsey Manor as, “an extraordinary weekend!” Here she reports on the weekend’s events.
75 students from Years 7 to Year 12, and 9 members of staff, spent three days making music, bonding and taking part in outdoor activities – but mostly having an enormous amount of fun!
Spending three to four hours each day performing music, climbing Jacob’s Ladders, scrambling through courses, swinging on a giant swing, zooming down zip wires and competing in wacky races and sung (or rather shouted!) themselves hoarse around camp fires for 55 hours straight.
Bawdsey Manor is an idyllic setting with beautiful sea views, immaculate grounds, a Great Hall much like something out of Harry Potter, with excellent food and the most incredible support on-site staff – huge thanks to PGL Bawdsey for their warm welcome and energy throughout.
The cherry on the cake was the ‘Prom’ concert held in School Hall and the Tuckwell to an appreciative audience of 200 plus friends and family who were treated to a concert band, string orchestra, rock band, freeform guitar/singing/ukulele ensembles, a ‘Happy’ choir and of course the combined symphony orchestra and symphony choir version of ‘Dry Your Tears Afrika’ by John Williams from the film Amistad.
Thanks to all the students for working so hard, making us laugh and feel proud of them all weekend.
Join us next year for BAND CAMP 2023 – Around the World in 80 hours.
At the beginning of this academic year, each student house was tasked with identifying and nominating a local charity, as well as proposing events and/or fundraising ideas. Once their charity was chosen, a representative from each was invited into School to meet with students, speaking about the charity in general, the support it delivers to the local community and the impact of funds raised. For the house that raises the most money there is the promise of winning a cup at prize giving day, an honour worth fighting for our students agree.
This year’s chosen charities, respective houses and funds raised and donated so far this academic year are as follows:
Seckford House
The Teapot Project Home | The Teapot Project
£598.34 raised so far this year
Burwell House
Suffolk Wildlife Trust Welcome to Suffolk Wildlife Trust | Suffolk Wildlife Trust
£273.15 raised so far this year
Annott House
RDA Woodbridge RDA Woodbridge
£774.67 raised so far this year
Willard House
Zest Zest – Young Adult Services – St Elizabeth Hospice Ipswich
£152.50 raised so far this year
Fundraisers have been fantastic and included: bake sales, sweet sales, football penalty shoot-outs, hot chocolate sales, a limbo competition, the sale of delicious donuts, guessing the number of sweets in a jar and a name the Easter bunny competition. Students are encouraged to continually consider and propose fundraising ideas and events, with that cup at prize giving day front of mind!
At times, students also raise money for an identified charity for a specific season or time of year, and last year at Christmas that charity was Home-Start in Suffolk Home Start in Suffolk | Supporting children and families. Recognising that there may be members of the local community in need of additional support, particularly at this time of year, students held various events and raised and donated £2,167.35 for local families in need of additional support. Thanking us for our donation the charity recently wrote to the School explaining, “We wish to confirm receipt your donation, on behalf of everyone here at Home-Start in Suffolk we would like to thank you for the generous donation to help support families in the local area. The last 2 years has been a challenge for everyone, and we have seen a huge rise in the need of families across the county. Home-Start in Suffolk could not do what we do without the support of a caring community so thank you again for your kind support.”
The School also recently held a non-uniform day in aid of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine; between the payments form students for the privilege of a day at School in clothes of their choice as well as donations from parents, we were able to raise and donate over £1,600 to this worthy cause.
With more fundraising on the horizon including a penalty shoot-out and a sponge throwing event at which Michael Streat will return to defend his King of sponging title, there’s plenty of opportunity to increase the funds raised so far and for students to win that cup! We’ll update you regularly on charitable fundraising efforts and amounts.
Spring heralds new shoots of growth and so it was an apt time for us share our musical new shoots of growth with the wider community at St. John’s Church in Woodbridge last Friday evening. A packed church was treated to upbeat band based numbers from the Concert Band, Training Band, Samba Band, Percussion, Single-reed Ensemble and Swing band – all of which got our toes tapping and the students dancing and whooping in the gallery. But it wasn’t all funk, soul and tangos, there were more tender moments provided by Cellisti and a fun little duet on the Marimba of the Mario theme tune from our faithful Y13 percussionists Will and Tom. If you weren’t one of 120+ audience do not fear because you can catch up here.