We have been blessed with three amazing individuals as Heads of School this year and I have been extremely fortunate to have them by my side at two OW events. As we thank them for what they have given us, they share what Woodbridge has given them.
Mrs James, Alumni and Engagement Officer
James, Head Boy 24/25
It feels absolutely bizarre to be writing this article having finished my time at Woodbridge – it genuinely feels like yesterday that I took that first mildly terrifying walk into the front of assembly! It has been a pleasure to be Woodbridge’s Head Boy during the last year. Georgie and I have immensely enjoyed prioritising student voice – founding a student council, holding lunches with Year 7s and 8s, and visiting the Prep School to talk about senior school life.
In our Speech Day speech, Georgie and I talked continually about ‘fun’ in the Woodbridge community. Admittedly this could sound like some AI-generated ‘buzz word’, but this is far from the case. I will of course remember Woodbridge for stretching and developing me hugely academically, instilling within me a passion for Theatre and English which I know I will hold for the rest of my life, and for teaching me so many essential life skills that I will no doubt so often use as I head to university. Yet what I will remember most from my time here is the genuine fun I have had every single school day. Of course, much of this joy has stemmed from the lifelong friendships this school has given me – I have wonderful memories of surprisingly intense football matches in the valley, Year 7 manhunt in the old houserooms, and even (very foolishly) climbing into a sports cloakroom window with friends to retrieve a lost bag. Yet this fun has not just been confined to break times – teachers here at Woodbridge are so driven by a genuine passion for education and care for their students that lessons are certainly not the stereotypical boring lectures so often seen on tv. My mind immediately goes to Mr Edwards leading a class rendition of dystopia-related ‘Reach’ by S Club 7, and Miss Mayes staging multiple musical choral odes to learn about tragedy. It is this immense subject passion from teachers that makes me feel so enlivened when researching English, Drama and History. They inspire me every day.
Therefore, a kind of bittersweetness follows me as I leave what I have come to call my home. Woodbridge has made me feel as if I can truly achieve anything, and I am so excited to follow my passions into the real world. Yet I am also nervous and sad that I will no longer be spending time in this community on a daily basis. I am writing this article a month after finishing my exams and, though of course I am enjoying my newfound freedom of waking up at midday and rewatching The Office for the seventy-fifth time, I find myself already missing my morning chats with Miss Lockwood, the break time ‘one bounce’ games with my friends, and daily theatre gossip with Miss Mayes. Thankfully, I know that Woodbridge will always be there for me. This is far from goodbye to the school – I don’t think I will ever be ready for that. I hope that, in my 14 years at the school, I have left a positive mark; I certainly know that Woodbridge has had a perpetual impact on me. It has taught me to try my best to be kind, to never judge, to be resilient and determined, and passionate about what you love. Thank you to all members of this wonderful community. I will always carry some Woodbridge hard work, spirit, and fun wherever I go.
Georgie, Head Girl 24/25
As I sit down to write this, the realisation that my time at this school is drawing to a close still hasn’t quite sunk in. After fourteen years, it’s surreal to think this chapter is ending. From my first steps into year 1 with a Tupperware full of Babybells and Moshi Monsters to my final A level exams, this school has shaped so much of who I am. And it is without doubt that the major part in this has been played by my teachers. Their dedication, passion and enthusiasm truly shapes this special community.
Sadly, there is no way, in one article, that I can demonstrate how grateful I am to so many teachers, but I would like to say that the teachers here at Woodbridge are fundamentally inspirational. Whether that is Mrs Hillman’s quirky dances to remember mechanisms in Chemistry, Mrs Brown’s beautiful diagrams or my year 6 teacher Mr Smith’s sesquipedalian spelling challenges – I have found myself loving subjects that I would have never even have considered when I first started, due to teachers who genuinely adore their subjects. When such passion is present it really does become infectious and I am so grateful for every single teacher at Woodbridge.
To say the teachers at Woodbridge go above and beyond is a complete understatement. Throughout my time at Woodbridge there have been countless teachers who have used their own free time to help me in so many ways. For example, Miss Wright, the wonderful Oxbridge application advisor and beloved classics teacher who gave up hours to go over my personal statement, reference and interview skills. Or Dr Rickard and Mrs Brown who marked my many last-minute biology essays in my final weeks of A level revision. Or Mrs McNally who was always available to answer my absurd and stupid questions about Chemistry. And of course our iconic duo in Sixth Form, Miss Pilkington and Mr Beasant. They get to know every student’s quirks and passions remarkably quickly and start to treat each student as the adult they are becoming. I wish I could go on and on but sadly there is not enough room on this page.
This school has given me so much more than just an education. It’s where I found my confidence – on stage during musicals, in debates in the Model United Nations, or on a sports pitch in the freezing cold. It’s where I discovered the power of perseverance, learnt to laugh at myself, and realised that the best lessons often come outside the classroom. Like when in Year 3 my classmates adapted our daily game of ‘It’ into ‘walking it’ to accommodate me being on crutches. It has always been a place where students are intent on looking out for others.
In Sixth Form, I was lucky to be involved in leadership roles that pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a brief glimpse at adult life. Whether it was attending heads of school conferences, welcoming prospective pupils, or setting up a student council, I’ve felt incredibly proud to represent a school that values kindness, community, character and excellence.
Of course, Woodbridge is rightly proud of its academic record but more than that, it’s a place that gives young people the courage to pursue their interests, no matter how weird, wonderful, or offbeat they may be. I’ve seen classmates bring down the house with West End-worthy vocals, dazzle on the saxophone and drums, and, most memorably, perform five minutes of animal impressions to What Does the Fox Say? — to thunderous applause. That moment, as ridiculous as it sounds, captures something important: the courage to be yourself, even when it’s a bit absurd.
That’s what Woodbridge has given me: the confidence to try, to fail, to laugh at myself, and to grow. At Woodbridge I have flown a plane, portrayed a drunken uncle in a Shakespeare production and a cheerleader in Grease the musical – despite the fact I cannot sing, dance or act. All of these opportunities were completely out of my comfort zone when I signed up for them but in every single one, I had a great time, met some amazing people, and developed skills in different areas. And if there is one thing I will take away from my time at Woodbridge it is the philosophy to always say yes to new opportunities no matter your natural ability or confidence in that area. It is an approach that I see in all of my peers and it is Woodbridge that has instilled this confidence to not find uncertainty and inexperience as a barrier to progression and opportunity.
So as I look towards university, I am of course extremely excited and feel well equipped for whatever life has to throw at me. But I will miss Woodbridge and the people here immensely. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to attend such a wonderful school and I can’t wait to return as an Old Woodbridgian.
Rose, Deputy Head Girl 24/25
I worry slightly that when the rest of the students of Woodbridge return in September, I will not be among them. I will not be in Sixth Form anymore; I won’t have lessons, I won’t sit in the dining hall, I won’t be on the sports field or in the theatre, I won’t spend my free periods at the sewing machine or my lunchtimes at choir practice and I won’t be alongside the people I have spent the better part of seven years with. All the things I have come to see as the everyday will have become a piece of my memory kept away in a folder in my brain, entitled Woodbridge.
If you know me, it is safe to assume that part of this file will be dedicated to the drama department, who have been the core of my Woodbridge experience. Before exams, Mr Williams and Ms Mayes rooted out an old video from Year 7 of me and James as superheroes and to no one’s surprise we have not changed a bit. Amongst my superhero persona is a host of characters from Mum in ‘A Monster Calls’ to a supreme in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and Elizabeth in ‘Frankenstein’. I have never known laughter like that in the rehearsal rooms for ‘Jack Absolute’ or the number of times I’ve heard James Brown’s I Feel Good in a drama lesson.
For most of the year I am by no means an athlete, however, in the Michaelmas term I grab my stick, lace up my boots and head down to the hockey pitch. Nothing gets my heart racing and competitive side going more than going in for a tackle or defending a short corner. The only downside is that by the time I’m finally fit enough the season is already over. Without the leadership from our 1st team captain Millie Johnson and the dedication from Ms Rix, my time as hockey player would not be the same. To connect with others through a shared passion and commitment is a skill Woodbridge has always encouraged, and I hope to carry into the future.
I feel sometimes we take the experiences and opportunities we are given for granted, not paying close enough attention to the people who make it possible. The teachers, the administrators, the heads of school, Georgie and James, and Ms Norman truly put their all into making Woodbridge the magical place it is. Behind my informative trip to Berlin and Krakow, there was a teacher who sawed off my broken suitcase handle; behind my countless art projects, there was a friend who tried on and posed for my creations; and behind the wonderful 50 Years of Girls at Woodbridge event was Mrs James and the administrative and marketing team who made sure everything ran smoothly. Without the efforts of the Woodbridge community, I would not have had even half of some of my most exciting experiences.
I’m sure, like me, my classmates as they begin this new chapter will be hesitant to close its predecessor, because despite its homework deadlines and exams, Woodbridge School is a truly wonderful place. It has allowed me to pursue my passions and has given me the drive and confidence to achieve them. It has become synonymous with the feeling of warmth and support, and I know even as I leave, now an Old Woodbridgian, this school will always be there beside me. So, if I am in my university accommodation or lying on a beach in Australia and I am feeling down, I will reach back into my library of memories, pull out this file and flick through its pages. And what I feel won’t be the worry for the future but the joy of the past.
We are thrilled to share the highlights from Woodbridge School’s Young Musicians of the Year competition, shared in our report from our Director of Music, Mr Woodley. A massive congratulations to all our finalists who performed with such poise and passion, making it a truly spectacular event!
Mr Woodley, Director of Music
“The evening was a true celebration of the exceptional musical talent within our School, with every performance demonstrating remarkable skill and dedication.
The standard was incredibly high, making it a difficult task for our respected adjudicators, Rob Rogers and Hattie Voelcker. Rob Rogers is an ex-ABRSM examiner and prominent local musician, while Hattie Voelcker is a leading performance coach. Their insightful feedback was invaluable, and we extend our sincerest gratitude to them, as well as to Andrew Leech for his wonderful piano accompaniment throughout the evening.
A massive congratulations to all our finalists who performed with such poise and passion, making it a truly spectacular event!
We are delighted to announce the results:
In the Grades 1-4 category, the winner was Year 8s Henry for his captivating vocal performance of What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye. The runner-up in this category was Year 7’s Miles, who impressed with his violin rendition of Rebecca by Neil Mackay.
For Grades 5-6, Year 8s Hexi was awarded the winner’s medal for an outstanding piano performance of Forest Gump by Alan Silvestri. Year 8’s George was the runner-up, delivering a compelling vocal performance of Radiohead’s Creep, accompanying himself on guitar.
In the Grades 7-8 category, Year’s 9’s Erin was the winner with her piano performance of Lowside Blues by Joanna MacGregor. Year 10’s Laurynas was the runner-up, impressing with their flute rendition of Monody for a Lost Faun by Adrian Connell.
The evening culminated with the overall cups being awarded to Year 11’s Lily, our Senior Young Musician, who demonstrated incredible versatility on both piano and violin with Nigun Baal Shem by Bloch and Sonetto 123 del Petrarcha by Liszt. Year 8’s George, also the runner-up in Grades 5-6, was deservedly named our Junior Young Musician for his memorable vocal and self-accompanied guitar performance of Creep by Radiohead.
Thank you to everyone who supported this wonderful event.
Last Friday, our traditional Field Day took place, students taking part in various activities including a trip to Colchester Zoo, Felixstowe beach, and our CCF cadets at various locations enjoying different activities.
Visit to Colchester Zoo and to Felixstowe Beach
Year 8 students made the trip to visit Colchester’s magnificent zoo! They had a fantastic time and enjoyed wandering around in groups looking at the elephants, lions, Amur leopard, monkeys, meerkats and much, much more! Lucky enough to have a talk from one of the zoo keepers about sustainability and conservation, students were able to hear about and consider the impact that we as individuals have on the world. Meanwhile, Year 7 visited Felixstowe beach, where they enjoyed playing on the sand, visited Martello Park and got themselves very wet running in and out of the sprinklers! Returning to School in the afternoon, they played a superb rounders tournament, finishing the day with a quiz. Year 7 and 8 were impeccably behaved, and they represented the School perfectly.
CCF RAF Field Day and Overnight
Our RAF cadets had a brilliant time on their Field Day and overnight stay at RAF Barnham training area, enjoying a full-scale overnight complete with an escape and evasion exercise aptly named ‘Operation Nightfall’. During the day they took part in a range of different and exciting activities, from finding the NCO in the ghillie suit, to fire and move paintballing! It was a great experience for everyone who took part, with lots of fun had by all, and many new skills acquired!
CCF Army Field Day and Overnight
The Army section also deployed to RAF Barnham for their field day exercise. On arrival cadets set up the bashas to sleep under and cooked their evening meal from their ration packs, ahead of Year 9 taking part in a night noises exercise while the Year 10 cadets carried out a patrol involving conducting a Close Target Recce (CTR), meeting an agent, contact drill & setting a snap ambush. Friday saw the Year 9 cadets go through a rota of stands; pairs fire and movement, navigation, a stalk and patrol observation skills. The Year 10s carried out section attacks. Despite the heavy rain through the night everyone stayed dry and had a great time. A special thanks for our Year 11 cadets, Ben and Huw along with Year 13’s Jack for taking part as well.
CCF NAVY Field Day and Overnight
Navy cadets travelled to Rendlesham forest on Thursday after School, where Lt Cmdr. Smith instructed them in some Bushcraft, as well as directing a night exercise. Cadets picked, stripped, bashed, dried and then wove nettles into cord, which most made into bracelets, before beginning to build two shelters and set up camp, cooking and eating ration pack food. The night exercise was held late into the evening, in a specified area of the forest, with a hide and seek enemy premise. The cadets tucked themselves into tents whilst Lt Cmdr. Smith Lt Saagi slept in the cadet prepared shelters. The drier of the two being the one prepared by the girls, which Lt Saagi slept in and thanked them for in the morning! Friday saw cadets enjoy breakfast together before returning to School for sessions of archery and canoeing on the River Deben, with lunch provided by the Schools amazing catering staff. The day finished with a session of Field Gun Run.
It’s fair to say that everyone enjoyed all of the activities; it was another great Field Day for our cadets. Thank you to our students for getting stuck in and making the most of the activities, and to all of our staff who went along with their respective sections.
Miss Norman recently announced, confirmed and congratulated our new Heads of School for the academic year of 2025/2026. Congratulations to Year 12’s Emily and Isaac on their appointment. We recently met with Emily and Isaac to ask them how they’re feeling about their appointment, and the academic year ahead.
Emily
“I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of Head Girl for the upcoming academic year. The warmth of the community, supportive nature of all the teachers and countless opportunities on offer have been an important part of what has made my years here so enjoyable.
It will be a privilege to be able to act as a representative of such a wonderful school that has done so much for me.
The sheer amount of activities available to all students is incredible – there really is something for everyone. For me, though, what really makes Woodbridge stand out is the people – the sense of kindness, generosity and genuine care can be seen around the school every day.
Personally, the instances when an older student has taken the time to help me have always stayed in my mind, I hope to be able to do the same in whatever capacity I can for others; being there for students who are struggling or simply being a friendly face who is always around for a chat.
Forming connections with students in all year groups is crucial for me – my biggest goal is to be approachable to everyone as I know what a difference it can make.
I’m so excited to be working alongside Isaac as we share many common interests and I think we will make a great team. Georgie and James have been such brilliant role models to us both and have been so supportive as we step into our new roles.
Woodbridge really is such a special place with so much to offer and it means a lot to me to have the opportunity to advocate for it. The community has helped me to grow so much as a person so I hope through this role I will be able to give something back.”
Isaac
“I am so thrilled to be the next Head Boy at Woodbridge School, and can’t wait to see what the next academic year will bring.
From when I first started School here in Year 7, I knew that Woodbridge was the best place for me, the nurturing environment and caring community has helped make so many fond memories throughout my time here.
Through the many different opportunities available to you at Woodbridge from superb concerts at an incredibly high standard to our various productions in the theatre with equally great opportunities in all other academic and non-academic areas of Woodbridge.
There is so much space for development at every level of experience here and that is what makes me proud to be a student at Woodbridge.
I hope that Emily and I will take on the roles that James and Georgie had last year with the same enthusiasm and genuine care that was reflected in everything they did; I am excited to build upon what they started with the Student Council and I can’t wait to see what can be done so that as many pupils have their voices heard as possible.
Being at Woodbridge has shaped who I am today, I have learnt so much from so many different people inside and outside the classroom, helping me build essential skills that I will use more and more as I gain more independence. I have enjoyed so much about being at School here and would love to get more people involved with all of the extra-curricular activities that Woodbridge offer.”
Wednesday was Sports Day in School, and we’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us in supporting our students, making it a wonderful day for everyone taking part.
Throughout the School year, our young athletes have continued to perform superbly, improving and impressing over and over again, ever-focused on PBs and School records – and this year’s Sports Day saw one of our students breaking no less than FOUR of them!
It was another wonderful event, and what an atmosphere – the whole School took part and we were delighted to see lots and lots of our parents, family and friends showing their support and cheering our athletes on from the sidelines. The students ran, jumped and threw, doing their absolute best to get maximum points for their houses.
It was brilliant to hear the students cheering each other on and congratulating and sharing in each other’s achievements. Personal bests were achieved and records broken as we’ve already mentioned – Year 7’s Chloe was record breaker of the day with four of them beaten!
Well done to all of the competitors for giving their all, many thanks to all of the staff involved on the day and in the lead up to Sports Day and to the parents, family and friends supporting.
We wish Year 7’s Chloe, Katherine, Matilda, Juno, Ollie, Year 8’s Dex, Tom, George, India J, Alexandra, Imogen and Year 6’s Sofia, good luck for Wednesday 2 July when they compete for the East Region in the National Prep School Athletics Championships in Birmingham and year 9’s Digby Hamish and Romilly competing for Suffolk on 11 and 12 July in the English Schools Track and Field Championships.
A link to Sports Day photography and the access code will be shared with parents privately.
On their recent field trip to Foxburrow Farm, Year 12 Biology students investigated key ecological relationships by studying the effects of grazing and light intensity on plant growth.
The trip provided a hands-on opportunity to explore how grazing by herbivores influences the abundance and diversity of different plant species.
Students compared grazed and ungrazed areas, recording the presence and frequency of various plants to determine changes in species richness and competition. In addition, they examined how varying light intensities affected internode length and leaf surface area in nettles.
By measuring these morphological features in shaded and well-lit areas, students gained insight into how plants adapt to differing light conditions, contributing to their broader understanding of plant ecology and environmental factors affecting growth.
Everyone had a great day, learned lots and enjoyed the opportunity to explore what they’ve learned in the classroom – in the field, literally!
It has been wonderful to welcome back two OWs – Etiane Cheung (2015–2022) and Lily Constantine (2016–2023) – over the past two weeks to deliver talks to our Year 12 students.
Etiane, now in her third year studying for a BA in Modern Languages with a year abroad, visited to talk about university applications and life at King’s College London. She has certainly made the most of her time at university so far, embracing opportunities to study, work, grow, and be challenged in the best ways. Her talk gave students a fantastic insight into what it’s like to live and study in the heart of London.
Lily left Woodbridge after completing her A levels in 2023, having secured an apprenticeship with Fred Olsen Logistics Ltd. After completing her Level 2 qualification in Customer Service Skills, she moved into a full-time role at MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company as their Transport Customer Coordinator. She returned to speak with two colleagues about life after Woodbridge, what it’s like to study and work without going to university, and the exciting apprenticeship opportunities available at MSC.
Two very different paths—two very successful outcomes. Congratulations to both of them, we’re extremely proud of you, each smashing it in their own way!
Something a little different last week was Miss Gill our Head of Geography, hosting a webinar which was presented by the Royal Geographical Society titled ‘What do Geographers Actually Do?’
Students heard from a number of speakers who had studied Geography after A levels and learned about the diverse careers, that followed, such as International Development, Urban Planning and Sustainability Management. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into where a Geography degree might lead! Thank you, Miss Gill!
Last Friday, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Central College of Animal Studies into School, they delivered an engaging veterinary experience workshop for our Year 9 and Year 12 students.
With hands-on with activities such as identifying parasites, gowning up for surgery, and locating a foreign object in a toy dog, students also learned how to bandage animals of different sizes, practiced suturing, and tested their knowledge by identifying surgical tools, examining X-rays, and even observing kidney stones.
It was incredibly rewarding to see and hear how engaged the students were—an enjoyable and educational experience for all!
Last week senior students from our Drama Scholarship and Enrichment programme took part in an exciting opportunity to explore James Graham’s new play Punch.
One fateful evening, an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences, with teenage protagonist, Jacob Dunne, left dealing with the consequences of his actions. Our students were treated to a seminar style discussion and practical seminar, mirroring what they might expect if they elect to study Drama at university. Year 12 Drama Scholar Georgia was kind enough to write a review about her experience.
Year 12’s Georgia
“Last week, I took part in a seminar, about all things Punch – a new play written James Graham.
The seminar explored the play’s themes, particularly the power of restorative justice, and I was able to express my thoughts and feelings whilst enjoying what my peers had to offer, encouraging me to consider things I hadn’t before the session.
A few days later, I had the great pleasure of attending a practical workshop, led by Jordana Golbourn (an external facilitator) and was given the opportunity to bring to life choral moments from the play.
We immersed ourselves in the world of Punch by not only considering the acting and staging but also the set design, lighting, and costume, improving our abilities as well-rounded Drama students.
I am so grateful for the opportunities provided by our wonderful Drama team and cannot wait for the next one!”
Students returned from Salamanca at the weekend having spent a week in the province enjoying and exploring the culture, cuisine and enhancing their language skills. We’re delighted to be able to share a report from Year 9’s Lola, and Year 12’s Emily and Lily about their experience on this intensive Spanish trip, including their highlights, thoughts and feelings about this beautiful city.
Year 9’s Lola
“Salamanca was an unforgettable experience! So different from anything I’d ever known.
Staying with host families gave us a real glimpse into everyday Spanish life and culture and the daily conversations with my host not only improved my Spanish but also boosted my confidence to take risks with the language.
We took part in many activities, but my favourite was salsa dancing. It pushed us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the vibrant spirit of Spain.
From the beautiful streets to the rich culture, Salamanca left a lasting impression, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to experience it all.”
Year 12’s Emily and Lily
“Wow – what a week! We have truly had such a blast in the city of Salamanca over the last six days, putting our linguistic skills to the test, and immersing ourselves in the Spanish culture.
From jam-packed lessons in the morning at ‘Colegio Delibes’, to experiencing our first taste of the Spanish workplace in the afternoon, swiftly followed by evening tapas – we really have done it all.
Undeterred by a rather abrupt 4.00am wake up on Sunday, we excitedly embarked on our Spanish adventure, both curious and eager to discover what awaited us. On arrival, we were greeted by our amazing hosts, Jimena, Kevin and their son Alejandro, who kept us well fed, comfortable and completely at ease for the entire week.
In the mornings, we threw ourselves into grammar and conversation lessons in an extremely diverse class, meeting students from all around the world. Our afternoons were dedicated to our respective work experience placements, serving coffees and churros in authentic Spanish cafés, or acting as classroom assistants in a local Spanish school.
Despite our bursting schedules, we still managed to find pockets of time to get out and explore this beautiful city and make the most of everything it had to offer.
We are so grateful to our amazing teachers for organising such an incredible trip – what an opportunity!”
