WoodbridgianWeekly
22 May 2015 | Edited By Michael Streat | Vol 24 No 5 | online at www.woodbridge.suffolk.sch.uk
‘HAVE YOUR SAY
Christine Evans and Poppy Fletcher, both Year 8, sat nervously among 280
other contenders waiting for the final of the Association for Language
Learning regional ‘Have Your Say’ languages competition on 19 May.
They set off for the Year 8 French competition clutching their props: the pair of
trainers central to the dialogue, a huge bloody bandage for a finger (looking very
professional) and a hat. The girls had to perform their dialogue from the first round
and then after three minutes of preparation, read a further dialogue before the
judges. How to pronounce “t’aider” and “a-t-il fait”? The girls obviously coped very
well as they ended second out of the 12 teams, being just piped by the team from
the Colchester Royal Grammar School. I hope it was their French that swung it for
them; it may of course have been the gory finger and the highly dramatic faint right at the end though!
THE GENERAL INSPECTION
Those were the days: when headmasters squirreled away the proceeds
from selling the playing fields; when lost property was burned in the
porch; when teachers were the fools and pupils were in charge; when
cards were for gambling; when the matron was not as she seemed; and
nor were the boys; or the girls; or the old boys, or the inspectors, the
wives, the daughters… well, anyone or anything really.
Yes, those were the days when Mr Lawrence would bring us once a year a radio play extruded from an imagination
that bears no imagining. Fabulous, fantastical, and immensely funny – and, with this year’s edition, those days are
finally at an end (on this side of the Mediterranean at least).
You’ll be pleased to know that the eponymous inspection passed off magnificently, if not quite as expected:
a marriage conveniently overcame one or two minor blemishes on the school’s record, and the players that
attended (for none offended) all went on to live fulfilling lives. Year 8 were magnificent: Year 13 equally so:
boys were dogs, girls were boys, the young were old; the common room was… realistic; little was as it seemed
(least of all the mysterious wardrobe). We shall miss you, Mr Lawrence. Thank you for a series of brilliant plays
and shows over the years, and thank you in particular for this last in the line – a show which sits happily in
the pantheon, graced as it was by great performances and a generous audience both in size, appreciation and
applause: a fitting tribute indeed.
NATIONAL JUNIOR MATHS CHALLENGE
Many congratulations to all our winners of certificates in the recent national maths challenge.
Top of the tables (a multiplicity of talent…) were Brendan Bennett (an outstanding
111 marks out of a possible 135, qualifying him to sit the Junior Mathematical
Olympiad as one of the top 1000 mathematicians across the country), Oliver
Phelan (95 and a Junior international Kangaroo round qualifier), James Brooks
(83) and top Year 7 Saif Toubasey (83), all of whom gained Gold awards.
Silvers went to Guy Seagers, Natasha Doole,Victoria Burrows, Nathan Goddard,
Jonny Kajoba, Louis Tomlinson, Daniel Norman, Katie Bye, Nate Gunn, Maud Peel,
Saffron Holliday, Beth Leith, Oliver Buchanan, Toby Cassy, Amy Knight and Joshua
Ralph.
Bronze awards were awarded to Jenny Clare, George Rufford, Harry Rennell,
Arthur Bartlett, Rohan Franklin, Sarah Barker, Ben Oates, Eleanor Pilkington,
Maddie Cheshire, Hugo Thomas, Alex Evans Lombe, Beth Turner, Lottie Dinwiddy, Charlie Eaton, Judith Cope,
Edward Woodall, Annabel Yates, Minnie Wayman, Hal Ottley, Alfie Davis, Alfie Glendinning, Myles McEvoy, Joanne
Garnett, Zoe Newman and Adam Cubitt.
LAMDA PRESENTATION
The Year 7s did a fine job of showing just how much fun the LAMDA club has been this year.
In front of an audience of parents and siblings there was absolutely no pressure at all (!), especially given the
opportunity to bring parents into the spotlight on occasion (those pesky tongue-twisters). With Ms Mowat,
Ms Wynn and our three Year 13 ATCL diploma candidates, Ella Carter, Eleanor Hooper and Dominic Crane
leading the youngsters through a series of games and challenges, it was clear that drama is safe at Woodbridge
for the next few years! Great fun and all rounded off with the presentation of an impressive array of merits and
distinctions to those who had recently performed in LAMDA examinations.
ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Many congratulations to Harrison Cole who has gained a place in the Royal Academy junior
department as an organist.
He joins an illustrious group of current Woodbridgians studying in London (Isabella Pincombe at the Academy,
Michael Xu and William Emery at the Royal College, and Adam Cubitt at the Guildhall), but as far as we know
Harrison is the first Woodbridgian ever to win a place as an organist – and all that in just 18 months since taking
up the instrument under the East Anglian Academy’s organ Bursary scheme. Marvellous work!
LONDON MOONWALK FOR CHARITY
Sophie Weston triumphantly completed 15 miles as one of this year’s Moonwalkers - the night
time sponsored walk to raise money for breast cancer charities.
She must have been one of the youngest there, if not the youngest, and stuck to her task magnificently, starting
at 11.30pm on the Saturday and finishing at 4am on the Sunday. Phew! More impressive still is the £150 she has
already raised for charity. She would love to make that more and is still taking in your donations for the next
fortnight. Look out for Sophie around school, or complete her sponsorship form and leave your donation at
Marryott Reception.
SPONSORED WALK A GREAT SUCCESS!
Many congratulations to the intrepid Year 7 girls Hope Jerstice, Zoe Newman, Beth Turner,
Madeleine Cheshire and Nell Pilkington who completed their 13.4 mile trek in a very nippy 4
hours 40 minutes on Saturday, making it from Woodbridge to Felixstowe in fine style and glorious
weather.
Their fantastic effort has raised a terrific £352.50 so far. If you would like to donate, please visit their Just Giving
page here.
CRICKET CLINIC
J.Heald Coaching’s excellent Cricket Clinic returns to Woodbridge School this half term.
The course is open to Years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and will run on Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May.
Please click here to book if you are interested in joining the clinic.
FREE TICKETS TO BBC MUSIC DAY
Free tickets are now available for BBC Music Day performance in Snape Maltings Concert Hall
at 1pm on Friday 6 June.
Clemency Burton-Hill presents BBC Radio 3’s Lunchtime Concert live from Snape Maltings Concert Hall
in Suffolk featuring two Radio 3 New Generation Artists - Benjamin Appl (baritone) and Pavel Kolesnikov
(piano) - alongside Aldeburgh Young Musicians, members of the Britten–Pears Young Artist Programme and
the choir of St James Middle School.
To book tickets, please click here.
GOLF NEWS FROM WILL MORECOME
Many congratulations to Will Morcombe who has been selected for the Suffolk Under 18
county golf team for their first match of the season.
T
R
O
P
S
WOODBRIDGE 10K
Many congratulations to all our runners in this year’s race. And of course many
congratulations to all the other runners, too, including many OWs and parents!
First amongst equals this year was Mr Garvie, 29th overall in a time of 39:02 and just one place ahead
of top pupil Gus Cooney who finished an outstanding fourth in the under 19 boys’ category and 30th
overall in 39:04. Brodie Andrews brilliantly matched that in the under 19 girls: 4th in 55:08. Jack Grant
and Calum Andrews took the tape together at some speed (8th and 9th under 19 in 44:38), just ahead
of Connor Grant (10th 44:47). Mr Penny came a very impressive 4th in his category in 50:40; Mrs
Hutchinson an excellent 47th in hers in 56:08; and Miss Cousins a fine 62nd in hers in 60:55.
Our pupils were everywhere in the junior race: Nathan Goddard and George Rufford came first and
second and Daniel Norman 6th in in the B12-13 category; Sarah Barker, Amy Graham, Harriet Petley
and Victoria Burrows 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the G12-13; Amy Goddard 4th , Ella Walker 5th, Clara
Simpson 7th and Catherine Blackmore 14th in G10-11; Edward Rufford 4th, Tom Turner 5th, Mak Zie
10th, Charles Tetley 12th and Freddie Simpson 18th in the B10-11; Katie Norman 2nd in G9; George
Na Nakhorn 4th and Thomas Blackmore 10th in B9; Tommy Burrows 1st, Henry Tetley 2nd and James
Blackmore 7th in B7-8; and Lara Zie 7th and Mihi Forbes Ballard 8th in G7-8.
I hope I haven’t missed anyone…
Great though it was to cheer everyone on this year, I shall get up earlier next year to log on for entries
day!
TENNIS
The U13B girls played another faultless match recently against RHS.
Freya Huxley and Sophie Graham cruised through their doubles match, winning 6-0. Saffron Holliday
and Annabel Yates followed their example and also won their doubles match 6-0. A 6-0 scoreline was
starting to become the theme of the afternoon as Freya and Sophie followed their doubles success
with more 6-0 victories in their respective singles. Saffron and Annabel had more resistance from their
opponents but both won their matches comfortably with a score of 6-3. We hope that this third win in
a row will earn the girls a place at the regional finals on Friday 26 June.
The U15A and B boys’ teams faced tougher RHS opposition. The A team had to contend with highly
rated players with far superior experience. The match delivered some quality rallies and entertaining
tennis. In the end Woodbridge made more unforced errors on big points and had to settle for second
place, with Hugo Kelleway’s victory a highlight. Meanwhile the B team welcomed newcomers Toby
Stowe and Alistar Lloyd alongside Seb Lamb and Charlie Garnham, Seb and Charlie coming agonisingly
close in one of the best matches of the day (4-6), and Charlie’s singles another highlight in defeat for
the team.
BOYS CRICKET
The U12A team played two matches with Orwell Park U13C (won by 62 runs) and
Colchester RGS U12A (won by 5 wickets) last week.
Woodbridge batted first and scored 132 for three from their 20 overs with captain Danny Norman and
Charles Tetley both reaching the score of 30 and retire in order to allow others a bat. In reply Orwell
Park managed an improving 70 for thirteen wickets. The pick of the Woodbridge bowlers were Jack
Leith with 4 for 6 runs, Charlie Eaton with 3 for 12, and the ever-accurate Rohan Franklin with 3 for 8.
A good win played with a healthy spirit of inclusion.
A few days later, the improving U12A’s were given the honour of playing on the Woodbridge main
square and they bowled accurately and fielded brightly. Tight bowling particularly from Charlie Eaton
(3 for 12) and Giles Kelleway (4 for 18) reduced Colchester to 76 for 9 from their 25 overs. In reply
Charles Tetley’s 25 at the head of the order gave a solid foundation and Danny Norman (21 n.o.) and
Jack Leith (11 n.o.) saw us safely home for the loss of 4 wickets. We hope that the momentum of these
back-to-back wins can see us through to the second half of the season after half-term.
ROUNDERS
In a great afternoon of rounders, every girl in Year 7 played against St Joseph’s.
The U12A team had a successful 1st innings, scoring 6½ to 1 rounder, going on to score another 7 in
the 2nd innings. Sophie Graham, Nell Pilkington, Saffron Holliday and Victoria Burrows scored some
excellent rounders, with Neve Walker, Libby Martin, Charlotte Dinwiddy, Tori McCarroll, Annabel Yates
and Ianthe Hill all working well fielding, making some great catches and stumping the opposition out.
The U12B team fielded first and did a great job of stifling the opposition bats. Emma Trebilcock continued
on her catching spree, catching three of the opposition out. Our 8 rounders in reply put the girls well
in the lead. A special mention should go to Laura Golding, Amber Harrell and Verity Hobday for running
in some lovely rounders. The second half was comfortable for Woodbridge as they kept the St Joseph’s
total to 6 rounders, and then could really enjoy the second batting half, scoring another 8 ½ rounders,
making the final score 16-6.
The U12C team had an even more exciting game: 1½ all at the end of the 1st innings, the team knew
they had to up the tempo, and this they duly did! Nine rounders in the 2nd innings to only 4½ against
brought victory. A great effort by all! Beth Turner bowled effectively and Kira Sharples worked well as
backstop. Maddie Cheshire, Fleur Ludgrove, Petronella Powell, Amelia Kirkham, Lizzy Boynton, Lily Peto,
Medomfo Owusu and Captain, Hope Jerstice all fielded brilliantly.
Meanwhile, the U14 teams had two cracking games against Ipswich High. The A team game saw a levelpegging first innings (6-6, thanks to excellent rounders from Millie Cave, Eleanor Berridge and Flora
Johnston and fielding from Flora and Mollie Biddle) lead to an almost equally close second: four rounders
to us… 4½ to them! The A team performed exceptionally well, especially as they were a player down. In
the U14B game, our side may have been down in the first innings 7½ - 9, but they managed to win the
second innings 9-7½ for an honourable and rightly deserved draw.
Wspa Alerts
MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT GARDEN PARTY
A wonderful summer evening with the sound of soft jazz, a glass of Pimm’s and great
company (without the children!). Dinner is a “posh” BBQ followed by disco-dancing. Dress
to impress!
WSPA’s Midsummer’s Night Garden Party will be held in the Abbey Hall on Saturday 13 June 2015 from
6.30pm. Tickets are £25 per person.
A cash bar will be available and carriages will be at midnight.
Booking is on a first-come, first-served basis so please visit wspanet.co.uk/summer-garden-party/
for further information and to book.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Thursday 11 & Friday 12 June
Tuesday 16 June
Wednesday 17 June
Queen’s House Summer Concert
Seckford Theatre
2pm
Y10 Lunchtime Recital
Music School
1.40pm
Y9 Lunchtime Recital
Music School
1.40pm
Sunday 21 June
Tuesday 23 - Thursday 25 June
Swing Band performs at Aldeburgh Festival
Aldeburgh Band Stand
1pm
The Abbey Oliver Performance
Seckford Theatre
7pm