Category: Woodbridge News
This term has been very exciting one for the art department; three new members of staff have joined the department (Miss Ross, Mrs Parker and Mr Holden), the students have studied a new curriculum, new extra-curricular initiatives have been set up and the students have loved the new computer and photographic facilities. We have had the artist Ian Wolter in to run a workshop on how to make a life sized ceramic head, the GCSE and A-Level students prepared for and completed their mock exams in great style, and most recently we had the artist David Shillinglaw in to paint a 40 m2 mural. The only guidelines given to the artist were that the wall should celebrate the hand made as well as art made digitally; we want to remain a department that loves both these polarities and everything in between. The resultant mural is arresting in its bright colours and thought provoking in the words, quotes and thoughts that accompany the motifs. Please see images of the finished wall on our art department Instagram (@woodbridge_schl_art_department).
Photo Credit: Colette Smith
Such range; such scope; such skills on show. The concert began with a richly deserved encore of Holst’s St Paul’s Suite by the Chamber Orchestra, played recently and so beautifully at the Library Chamber Soirée. A joyful dance of a piece with Asian cadences to supplement the English folk. Glorious – and a great hint at what lies ahead for the Abbey’s musicians… many of them next to perform under the guise of the Abbey Chamber Choir. They did themselves proud, measuring up excellently to the exalted company they followed. Two pieces sung with a wonderful clarity of line. The Saxophone Ensemble brought more seasonal cheer and foot-tapping familiarity in their terrific two-hander; and Mr Turner’s first performance leading the Concert Band brought the first half to a close with joyful and expert renderings of three staples of the repertoire – the Sleigh Ride benefiting greatly from the delightful and hectic percussion part.
After the interval what better than the Swing Band to get things moving again – and playing without Mr Shepherd to boot. A self-guided triumph; and plenty more seasonality for the audience to enjoy as well! Mrs Seed’s Percussion Ensemble built on a fine tradition forged over the years with Mi Milagro, the marimba and drums enhanced by rhythmic clapping – a first by my recollection. Great fun. As was the Brass Ensemble in its trio of Christmas specials: they even wished us a Merry Christmas, and all that jazz.
And then something perhaps even more impressive than all that had gone before: the first movement of Beethoven’s First Symphony with the Symphony Orchestra. Good heavens. A big piece; and a big performance which grew in stature and confidence and ended with fittingly long and loud applause.
A marvellous evening to celebrate a term of fine music-making by our very talented pupils.
Over 60 competitors from across the country played on Sunday in the 17th edition of the Woodbridge Junior Chess Open. The Under 8 section was won by Aayush Dewangan from Maidenhead, but the Woodbridge champion, playing in his first tournament was Lade Laguda. Charlie Williams also performed with great credit in this tournament. The Under 10 section saw Theo Pommier win the Woodbridge title, losing in the final round to overall winner Roxolana Chaban from Bromley. The Under 12 section saw a fantastic performance from Marina Pommier who was Woodbridge champion but second overall to England international Adam John from Bury. The Under 14 to Under 18 section saw some very high quality chess, with Jaden Jermy and William Bradley sharing first place. Woodbridge winners were William Smith (Under 18) and Samuel Prior (Under 14) in his first tournament.
Abhi Durbakula, Rowan Kent and Marina Pommier all qualified for the London Junior Under 12s to be held at Christmas.
The Classical Association is a national body which represents Classicists from universities and schools. They recently held a competition, in which pupils had to write a poem or create a piece of visual art inspired by an original artefact from the Greek or Roman world. With considerably over two hundred entries from schools across the country, Woodbridge has done very well indeed.
In the poetry category, Felix Vogel (Yr 13) and Caitlyn Maggs (7D) both received a special commendation. (See below for their poems.)
In the Art category, Arthur Green (7D) was awarded third prize, and will receive £50 in book tokens.
Felix, Caitlyn and Arthur’s work will be on display at the Classical Association Annual Conference in April and will also be published in the book which will accompany the exhibition. Five other pupils have also been selected to have their work published and put on display. They are:
Isobel Goudy (8Y), Sophie Fry (7A), James Williams, George Na Nakhorn and Abhiram Durbakula (all 7D).
The judges said that the quality of the entries was “terrifyingly high”, but they were really impressed by the Woodbridge entries. They specifically stated: “Congratulations to everyone for their stellar efforts”.
This is a most impressive achievement on the part of our pupils and we are very proud of the fact that so many top academics will see their work on display at the April Conference.
ESAA National Cup Champion – Ruby Vinton!
On Saturday 25 November, Amy Goddard, Anna Jackson, Willa Cole, Iris Morton, Ella Pitt and Ruby Vinton travelled down excitedly in the school minibus to Sevenoaks to compete in the ESAA National Cross Country Championships. This was the 2nd year in a row for Amy and Anna to compete at the Nationals (as last year we were in Formby, Liverpool), so they knew what to expect. This team of Junior Girls had worked hard in the previous rounds both at the County and Regional competitions, so to make it through to Nationals was a superb achievement. 27 schools throughout the UK made it through to the finals, out of 580 school entries.
After a gentle walk around the course, the girls were ready for the challenge. With the teams all lined up in their pens waiting patiently for the starting gun, shivering due to the frosty and cold conditions, the girls knew they had to have a good start – especially as 100metres into the course, there was a slight incline which narrowed so needed to ensure they were in a good position. The girls tried to fight their way through but found it tough, however, they continued to battle and fight as hard as they could. Throughout the race, the girls were each picking off other competitors, to try and ensure we had four good scores (as four out of the six runners placing counted towards the final position). In the last 400metres, what happened next was short of a miracle. Ruby Vinton (who was competing a year young – as well as being one of the smallest runners!) was in 7th place. The determination on her face and pure grit was phenomenal. In the last 200 metres, Ruby was on fire, overtaking 6th place, 5th place, 4th place, 3rd place and then 2nd place to ensure she was in a medal winning position. Millfield’s runner was approaching the finish line in 1st place, although had slowed down, thinking she had won…all of a sudden, Ruby sprinted straight past her to take 1st place…what an achievement! Not even out of breath! Tears were flowing as what had just happened was barely believable. Definitely one of the best finishes of the competition. This spurred the other team members to push hard for the last 400 metres and so they did. Amy finished in 67th position, Anna in 115th, Willa 146th, Ella 150 and Iris 152. An excellent team effort, girls, well done! The team finished 23rd overall out of 27. We look forward to next year as the National Finals will be at Woodbridge when we play host.
Thank you to all the parents who travelled down to Sevenoaks to support the team, and to Mark Goddard for geeing the girls up and preparing them so perfectly for the race.
Mary Godfrey and Chris Long report: The twelve Woodbridge School pupils with Mrs Shanahan and Dr Ruggiero, had a highly successful trip to the Paris International Model United Nations Conference. Whether it was Abi Crane in the Security council trying to solve the complex issue of achieving stability on the Korean peninsula, or Sam Kill and Callum Sycamore working together to pass clauses to solve the problem of rising rates of automation. The energy at this conference was truly unique with delegates from 23 different countries. It was so exciting to have the opportunity to meet and debate with like-minded individuals from such a diverse set of backgrounds, it was truly mind broadening meeting with people from Saudi Arabia and America and hearing their very different opinions on different global issues. In a world filled with nations intent on pursing further isolationism, it is truly inspiring that there were 600 pupils and numerous teachers from all over the world willing to give their time to ‘work toward the new world order’(which was the conferences aim).
All our delegates contributed brilliantly: whether it was Sophie Little and Daniella Elman debating the virtues of ecotourism, and sustainable development in developing countries or Mary Godfrey working her way through the complex issues surrounding medical intellectual property rights, and how to limit them and then the question of infrastructure’s effect on education (all three at their first conference) or the seasoned debaters Ben Weston and Josh Cole working toward a peaceful solution to the South China sea crisis. As a NATO country, France’s delegates were vital to the passing of constructive clauses, and delegates often found themselves being influential in their blocs. Venezuela were part of the Arab League and again found ways of using influential comments and working with France to better their clauses. In the general assembly, Josh Cole, as a delegate of France submitted and presented an amendment, to a resolution submitted by USA on climate change, and the entire delegation helped to form an alliance with many European countries. All of us learnt so much about international relations, debating and humanity from this conference and had a lot of fun doing so! As an added bonus Chris Long won Best Delegate of the Human Rights committee, for his work on redrafting the UNHDR. A total of 5 clauses submitted by our delegates were passed, so all in all a fantastic weekend, which has left all of us inspired to continue working toward a more equitable world.
A Saturday evening – and in the Library: two new ventures for us (though the Library has been a familiar lunchtime venue for a little while now). It’s nice to make a positive impression, and I have to say the performances were terrific. Mr Milton did a fine job introducing musicians and repertoire alike (and even managed to take precisely the number of words required to allow William Emery and Jenny Clare the time they needed to join us direct from London!); and the musicians did an even finer job of living up to their billing. Add to the mix excellent hospitality from the Friends of Woodbridge Library, and readers will sense the audience left immensely happy and thoroughly well treated.
Cellos and flutes, then a trio and a quartet comprised the first half (before the mulled wine and mince pies); so many very young players – but such maturity of expression and poise of delivery. Variety too – and this was a theme very well carried forward into the second half. Guitars first – such a lovely sound rather too rarely heard in ensemble: Bob Power’s Suite an absolute delight; a second Quartet (Allegro in name, and allegro in nature thanks to Mozart). And then two quite magnificent performances to end:
First, William and Jenny, viola and violin, Mozart’s String Duo. Oh my goodness – the way they interacted: the musical conversation was quite stunning as theme passed back and forth, now one in the lead, now the other. How lucky we were that their train had been on time!
And at the close, the Chamber Orchestra in full playing Holst’s St Paul’s Suite – Mr Milton almost dancing at the front, and the players responding with a deftness of touch, and range of expression, that was stunningly professional. No wonder the applause were so long – long enough to gain an encore, and Pachelbel’s Canon closed the evening. I was glowing on the way home, even on my bike in the chill winter air…
Many congratulations to Eleanore who was recently spotted by one of the Royal Ballet principal dancers, Sander Blommaert, who offered her some personalised training. She has been up to London a couple of times so far and is absolutely loving it!
‘It’s the Dome, but not as we know it, Scotty…’
So might Captain Kirk have said on being transported to our Fair on Saturday. It felt like a city centre in microcosm: neat streets back to back with over sixty enterprises advertising their wares to a bustling array of families, teenagers and young adults all bent on defining (or redefining) their futures. The sense of energy and purposefulness was invigorating, and the welcomes given wherever one turned were genuinely warm and full of passion for what was on offer. From start-ups to the very well known, from local to nation to international, from apprenticeships to universities, from hi-tech and digital to care and service.
The flow of visitors was fantastic, right from the start, and there was barely a quiet moment on any of the stands; regular talks on matters such as finance, apprenticeships and interviews fed into the day as well and made sure that everyone left with plenty to think about, contacts to pursue, and ideas to explore.
Many, many thanks to the quite brilliant organising team under the leadership of Mrs Brown and Mrs Woodmansee, to the prefects who kept the day so well on course for visitors unfamiliar to our site, and of course to the exhibitors who gave their time so enthusiastically (and in such style) to make the occasion go with the swing that it did.
And if you were there, our thanks to you too for taking up such a great opportunity: you were one of over five hundred to make the best possible use of the occasion.
Kirton Church Hall was full to bursting on Friday night: the residents clearly remembered the previous visit of our Swing Band, and they were keen to relish an equally wonderful reprise. And the evening proved to be that and more – far more!
With the full band top and tailing the concert, as well as opening the second half, with a heady mix of the familiar, the jaunty, the lyrical and the boisterous, we were treated additionally to a rich and eclectic quartet of smaller groups: the Saxophone Ensemble, the Brass Ensemble, Trombosis (Mr Shepherd particularly proud to have a sextet of trombones to present!) and Lewis Chinn’s brainchild The Second Line Band playing Sweet Dreams.
One of the delights of the Swing Band concerts, above and beyond the supreme musicianship on offer, is the opportunity they offer our young players to take little solos within the pieces, some pre-written, some more improvised – but all adding a touch of personality to the renditions. The ripples of applause which greet them are part of the style of swing and jazz, and in this case presaged far more prolonged applause at the end. Encore, encore! And they did! Many congratulations one and all – players and conductor – for a quite fantastic evening, one which left the Master of Ceremonies almost lost for words. Almost, but not quite – enough certainly to deliver abundant gratitude and huge admiration in equal measure.