Category: Woodbridge News
In a week during which ironically we sadly lost one of the UK’s most celebrated modern Scientists, pupils from across the School have been celebrating all aspects of Science and Technology during British Science Week.
Senior School pupils sampled a fascinating insight into BT’s Adastral Park, visiting the innovation showcase during the first half of the morning, followed by hands-on workshops during the second half. The innovation showcase proved fascinating for pupils, giving insights into themed environments of the future such as the shop of the future, with interactive mannequins and displays designed to tailor adverts according to the viewer’s social media preferences, and the bank of the future, complete with ATMs which use vein recognition systems far more accurate than the currently used fingerprint biometrics. The good news is that thanks to technology, our lives will be much simpler, with parking space finder apps and drone Domino’s Pizza delivery to look forward to!
The hands-on workshops offered pupils the chance to code robots to undertake specific tasks, such as moving objects or exiting tricky environments. Pupils were also able to use virtual reality to experience life out at sea and practise CPR and using a defibrillator.
“I really enjoyed going round the visitor centre, finding out about the technology that we might use in the future.” Josh Bell
“One of the best parts of the BT science week event was the vast number of stalls to go to, each of which had something interesting to do with science or technology.” Livia Grey
“It was really inspiring to see how people are creating new technology to help us overcome current barriers in the future.” Medomfo Owusu
Pupils have also enjoyed a fantastic space themed session with Paul Hill of Sirius Astronomy, an elected fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Paul taught pupils about the history of space and what is involved with becoming an astronaut! They enjoyed a chance to try on a replica of the Sokol Pressure Suit as worn by Tim Peake during his Principia Mission. This workshop covered aspects of human biology, the physics of pressure and the engineering and design of space suits, as well as a look at the history of human space flight. They took part in several hands on experiments and some lucky students were able to take a Space Suit selfie!
The Rocket and Spacecraft workshops held by Paul allowed pupils the opportunity to build their own spacecraft and recovery systems as they learned about how rockets actually work. Explosions and rockets, what a fantastic way to round off British Science Week!
Please click here to find the running times for the equestrian One Day event taking place at Poplar Park on Sunday 18 March 2018
As part of our World Book Week activities the children were immersed in exciting workshops run by a professional storyteller. Through the use of drama and improvisation the children recreated the tale of the Wild Man of Orford.
They looked at the story from various different points of view and explored the feelings and emotions of the Wild Man and his reactions to being treated as an ‘outsider’. Hopefully the children will be able to use some of these creative ideas and concepts when completing the Stig Of The Dump inspired Big Write this week.
The visit from the police coincided with our postponed World Book Day and Graham and Sally-Anne were amused to find tigers, Little Red Riding Hood and the Gruffalo in the classroom instead of Reception children.
The children had prepared some questions to ask the police officers and the one that was the most interesting was, “Do you use booby traps?” The answer was yes! Sally-Anne described ‘stingers’ to an intrigued audience. The children tried on uniform and then had a look around a police vehicle – Burglar Bill enjoyed sitting in the driver’s seat, attempting to make a quick getaway.
The final thrill was listening to the siren which we learnt has four different sounds.
The Year 12 Woodbridge School Young Enterprise team has produced a fantastic cookbook, East Coast Eats, as part of its first business venture. Inspired by restaurants, cafés and companies across Suffolk, the cookbook celebrates both East Anglia’s renowned produce and its producers. The book features recipes from big local businesses including Stokes Sauces, Munchy Seeds and Purely Pesto, as well as popular cafés like Honey + Harvey – even Delia Smith has shared a recipe. You can pick up your copy today in Browsers’ Bookstore, the Woodbridge Emporium, or come along to The Abbey book fair on Wednesday 14 March, where copies will be available to purchase for £14.99.
Callum Sycamore, Managing Director for the Young Enterprise team at Woodbridge School, said “We loved the idea of a business which incorporated the strength of our local area and that by choosing a product which represented the region; we would have an increased passion for it, and greater success with it.”
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.
Many congratulations to Eleanore Fitzgerald, Annie Nicholass and Alice Sharratt who have all been successful in the recent auditions from a large field of dancers from across the region for the English Youth Ballet’s production of Cinderella In Hollywood (Theatre Royal Norwich 25-26 May).
They are all pupils of Sandra Hartley at the Saxtead School of Dance.
This promises to be a dazzling production with stunningly striking costumes and wonderful dancing, with international principals in the leading roles. Celebrating its 20th anniversary year, English Youth Ballet’s policy is to perform full length ballets outside London, and to give young dancers the chance to perform in a professional setting.
For more information visit https://secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/Online/default.asp.
The Woodbridge School MUN delegations had a wonderful time and success at the iX Felsted Conference.
We were fortunate enough to make up the delegations of The Netherlands, Costa Rica and part of the Spanish delegation. Various topics were up for debate, ranging from the empowering of women to achieve global equality all the way to the promotion of clean energies, or the nuclear disarmament of North Korea.
Out of the ten Woodbridge students that took part five had their resolutions passed, with many others making vital contributions in solving some of these key issues. Abigail Crane and Chris Long out shone all competition in their respective committees (health and environment) and left the conference honoured as highly commended delegates. Benjamin Weston and Josh Cole were also noted as commended delegates a very noble achievement. The team (also consisting of Joshua Bradbeer, Mary Godfrey, Daniella Elman, Samuel Newman and myself) at this conference was quite mixed in terms of experience, and for many it was their first time.
Regardless of awards it would be fair to say every pupil that took part, was able to walk away from the conference having developed not only their confidence when speaking in front of a large audience, about something which they were perhaps previously unfamiliar or from perspectives other than their own, but also their knowledge and passion for understanding the way in which the world works.
As we strive to move forward and be a part of transforming our world for the better and as we develop not only our skills but our acceptance of others.
Callum Sycamore
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
Since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow (no snowballs)
Well, what an interesting week this has been.
The fabulous fruits of Mr Turner and team’s extempore exploration of Samba drumming were captured on video.
That, some entertaining self-built snow ploughs in science (not for use on a road near you… not really for use even on a snowball sadly – but great fun nonetheless), touch typing for beginners, and an exploration of character in a showing of Twelve Angry Men, were highlights from Wednesday when some forty day pupils joined our boarders in school.
It’s March now… spring is in the air. Not sure where, though.
Michael Streat
Senior Deputy Head
Woodbridge School has recently been ranked 51st in the top 100 Independent Schools in the UK in 2017 according to School Sport Magazine.
School Sport Magazine’s exclusive top 100 state and Independent sports schools of the year list reflects competitive achievement in a range of sports throughout the year and honours these schools that take competition especially seriously. Reaching the top 100 puts Woodbridge in the top 10 percent of schools in the Country.
Ian Simpson, Head of sport at Woodbridge said “We are extremely proud to have been recognised nationally for the excellent progress we have made and continue to make in sport. At Woodbridge, we are committed to supporting every individual in their pursuit of excellence in every area of their education. It is the hard work and dedication of pupils, staff and parents that make this possible. Each year, we look forward to developing and improving our delivery of sport and this latest news is extremely encouraging.”
Woodbridge School offers a huge range of sports to pupils, enjoying exceptional success in running, athletics, hockey, rugby and netball. Teams regularly gain regional and National awards in competitions.
For the full ranking please click here.