Category: Woodbridge News

On Wednesday 30 January ten CCF Royal Navy cadets enjoyed a great day afloat aboard HMS Trumpeter, a P2000 patrol vessel. After negotiating the ice and Ipswich traffic we were soon aboard and underway. After passing through the locks, we enjoyed an early morning passage with the winter sun beating down on the deserted River Orwell. The cadets were all enthralled by the experience of being on such a boat and hearing about naval operations that the crew had been deployed on. Once clear of the river mouth, the two Caterpillar 800hp engines were opened up, and the fuel consumption increased to 350 litres per hour as we sped across the North Sea at 20 knots. Each cadet took turns on the helm and were able to manoeuvre the boat at speed before we returned to the river and to warm up below decks. A great experience and insight into life in the Royal Navy was had by all.

When art transcends experience it is at its best.

Just dance; no words, save for lyrics.

And yet every time a story told more powerfully for the singularity of medium.  We experienced the dance, but we lived the emotions,  expressed through a floating hand, a glance, a turn or roll, a coming together or a parting.  All eyes on the stage; no time for reflection or idle meandering of mind or thought.  This was an evening of pure energy and exuberance channelled through stunningly imaginative choreography and intensely graceful action.

Mrs Simpson reflected on the commitment and passion of the dancers, and alluded to the relative inexperience of some.  Who would have known?  Such poise, from the first dance to the last; such confidence to seek out the audience and connect through eye and body.

Matthew Bourne’s choreography tells stories through dance with breathtaking and often heart-wrenching clarity – if you are ever offered the chance to see one of his ballets, take it: and I found myself just as beguiled tonight in our dance show.  Mesmerising, captivating and truly lyrical; many, many congratulations to all twenty-five dancers and choreographers, to the backstage crew, and to the impresario Mrs Simpson.

Encore!

Huge congratulations to Honor who has received a bronze medal for Giant Slalom in the Trofeu Borrufa in Andorra today, at her very first international competition representing Great Britain. What an achievement!

On Friday 18 January, Year 10 pupils had the opportunity to visit Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge for a Year 10 Open Day. The day included a talk about the Cambridge admissions process, a tour of the college, lunch in Hall, and sample lectures and activities. These included a discussion about plague and the opportunity to do a scientific experiment. There was also time to explore Cambridge itself, including the Backs, where the colleges slope down onto the river.

The next FitzGerald event will be a moot (mock law trial), which will be held in the presence of a retired Appeal Court Judge, the ex-Recorder of London and an Old Bailey judge. This will be on Friday 1 March, in the Science Lecture Theatre, from 2.15 to 4.00pm. Parents are most welcome to attend – please email Miss Wright (awright@woodbridgeschool.org.uk) if you are hoping to come.

Congratulations to Honor who having put in an incredibly strong performance at the selection races in January, and winning the U14 ladies races at the Ambition Races and the Evolution Speed Races, has again been selected to represent Great Britain at Alpe Cimbra in March. This is a huge achievement as this is the competition in which the very best skiiers from the 45 key ski countries take part.

Photo Attribution: Jaco Duvekot

Congratulations to the following Y13 students who have achieved their level 3 qualification in sports leadership: Eleanor, Ellie, Mollie, Matty, James, Jess, Dom, Thea, Ben, Ella, Flora, Sam, Georgia and Lily.

In addition, Eleanor, James and Sam have been recognised for their volunteering hours and awarded a Spirit of Leadership Award.

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.

Congratulations to all those who took either Trinity or Associated Board Music Exams at the end of last term. We had a wonderful set of results that reflects the huge levels and breadth of talent within the school. Particular congratulations to the following who achieved with a merit or distinction in their exam:

Khushi (Y9)  – grade 2 piano with merit
Sophie (Y8)  – grade 3 piano with distinction
Ianthe (Y11) – grade 7 violin with distinction
Ianthe (Y11) – grade 8 Trumpet
Etiane (Y10) – grade 6 cello with distinction
Poppy (Y8) – grade 1 percussion with distinction
Jemima (Y13) – grade 7 singing with distinction
Madelaine (Y13) – grade 8 singing with distinction
Freddie (Y10) – grade 4 singing with merit
Hannah (Y13) – grade 8 singing with distinction
Amy (Y12) – grade 7 viola with distinction
Brendan (Y12) – grade 5 percussion with merit
Abby (Y10) – grade 7 flute with distinction
Charlotte (Y7) – grade 2 flute with merit
Florence (Y7) – grade 2 flute with merit
Abigail (Y7) – grade 3 clarinet with distinction
Henry (Y9) – grade 7 trombone with distinction
Jessica (Y10) – grade 4 singing with merit
Jasmine (Y8) – grade 7 cello with merit
James (Y7) – grade 5 cello with distinction
Julia (Y10) – grade 2 singing with merit
Toby (Y12) – grade 6 alto saxophone with distinction
Asmee (Y9) – grade 7 violin with distinction
Chloe (Y8) – grade 3 alto saxophone with merit
Iris  (Y9) – grade 7 violin with merit
Sophie (Y10) – grade 1 piano with distinction
Sophie (Y10) Grade 4 Trumpet
Isla (Y8) – grade 2 singing with merit
Jade (Y10) – grade 3 violin with merit
Luke (Y12) – grade 4 percussion with merit
Thomas (Y10) – Grade 5 Trombone
Lucia (Y7) – Grade 3 violin
Toby (Y11) – Grade 6 Piano

Ianthe (trumpet), Madelaine (singing) and Hannah  (singing) all achieved their grade 8 which is amazing.

Triumphant!  Majestic!! Glorious!!!
Readers of my reviews will know I am not prone to hyperbole…
But I have to say…
In twenty-one years at Woodbridge School…

Few moments match Friday night.

You had to be there – better still for those of us lucky enough to be part of the performance (I do apologise, Mr Milton, for my personal take on about 20% of the bass line score).

Bitter cold without (even a hint of snow at one point); but a thousand candles within (and under-pew heating), and three hundred host of audience.  A wonderful, wonderful setting (and here our sincere thanks to Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh for the splendid hospitality afforded us; and also to The White Hart,  Blythburgh, for deliciously restorative warmth, hot chocolate and sweets in the afternoon; and to Henham Barns for the generous offer of parking space for our intrepid audience).

And then the performance itself – led by Mr Milton at an inspirational gallop that accentuated so brilliantly the stunning music, the joyful sense of dance in so many places, and the exalted text.  This is the greatest story, and here it was told to breathtaking effect by our orchestra and chorus of staff, friends, OWs and pupils, and of course by our four outstanding soloists: Hilary Cronin, Nathan Mercieca, James Beddoe and Benedict Williams.

So many highlights, so many memories competing for space: the notes still tumble through me – not a moment seems to pass but another theme tricks me into an idle hum; Mejedi’s extraordinary trumpet solos singing out above the maelstrom; orchestral moments of calm; Jonathan’s timpani accentuating the drama; the harpsichord and organ, the strings and woodwind… and the voices. Those voices rising up and up to the rooftop angels – you could almost sense their wings coming to life in joyful response.

So, so many congratulations to so, so many people, but most of all to Mr Milton – for the extraordinary vision triumphantly realised.  We are all immensely richer for the moment.

And now it’s a memory.
One to treasure.
It’s Mozart’s Requiem on Friday 29 March… Norwich Cathedral!

Woodbridge School Rifle Club recently returned to the Lord Roberts Shooting Centre at Bisley to compete in the BSSRA Winter Open.  Seven pupils represented us there amongst the 228 individuals from 24 other competing schools.  Many congratulations to our team of Luke, Henry, Noah, Charlie, Leon, Alfie and Natasha on their fine shooting, and in particular to Luke for gaining one of the coveted BSSRA Top Shot badges.