THE BRIDGE

CELEBRATING 120 YEARS OF SCHOOL HOUSE

120th Anniversaryof School House

Annual OW Dinner

Lucy Shepherd’s Film

Luke Roberts in Wolf Hall

Sophie Cookson as Roxy

Jazz Supper

Oxbridge Offers

Gala Concert

Charity Fashion Show

Exchange trip to Oman

Forthcoming Events

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Please check our website at:www.woodbridge.suffolk.sch.uk for details of all forthcoming School events, including those for Old Woodbridgians.

FORTHCOMINGEVENTS

Annual OW Dinner

Day: Saturday 19 September 2015Time: 6.15pm for 7pmVenue: Chapel Lawn & Tuckwell Room

OW v School Cricket Match

Following the School’s Leavers’ Day& Ball, the annual OW v SchoolCricket match will take place onSunday 28 June at 11am.

Please visit www.woodbridge.suffolk.sch.uk for further information.

Catch up with your fellow OWs whilst dining on greatfood, drinking fine wine and listening to beautiful music(provided by the School's outstanding musicians).

For those who left Woodbridge School in 1965 and1990, this is your anniversary year so book your tickets as soon as possible. Tickets are now available to be purchased - please emailalumni@woodbridge.suffolk.sch.uk or see the Old Woodbridgian section of the School'swebsite for further information.

Day: Saturday 19 September 2015Time: 6.15pmVenue: Chapel Lawn & Tuckwell RoomPrice: £30 (£25 students)

Annual OW Dinner

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This year marks the 120thanniversary since since SchoolHouse opened in January 1895.School House was originally aboarding facility for just 40 boys,but over the years there have beenmany changes brought about.

Headmaster Philip Tuckwell was the first to live in School House and by the start ofthe 19th century he saw boarding become the heartbeat of the School, withboarding numbers continually rising. At the time, there were only four dormitorieseach sleeping ten boarders, and there was no running water.

During the war years School House played an important role, as it was used as aninfirmary by the Essex Royal Horse Artillery. Boarders also used to enjoy spendingtime outside watching combat planes fly over, including some piloted by OWs.From the 1950s School House started dominating the sports field, with boarderstaking part in many competitions and regularly winning trophies. In the 1990s girls'boarding was introduced for the first time into School House.

Since then, School House has accommodated boys and girls from the age of 13through to the end of a pupil's career in Sixth Form. With a demand for boardingplaces increasing, a remodel in 2012 saw School House increased in size toaccommodate 62 boarders, with additional social space added too.

To celebrate 120 years of School House, the boarding facilities will undergo acomplete redevelopment before the end of the summer holidays this year, startingwith new bathrooms fitted in May.

If you want to reminiscence about the good old days in School House, join the Old Woodbridgians' Annual Dinner.

Celebrating 120 Years of School House

School House with Headmaster Tuckwell

Current School House pupils and staff

OW stars in'Wolf Hall'

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The eagle-eyed amongst you who satdown to watch the BBC’s Tudor epic,'Wolf Hall' which was based on HilaryMantel's novel of the same name, mayhave noticed a familiar face on screen.OW Luke Roberts (1988-1995) playedthe role of Henry Norris, Henry VIII’sGroom of the Stool and one of hismost trusted courtiers.

Lucy Shepherd (2008-2010) has directed a film thatwas accepted into The National Film Festival forTalented Youth, which is the biggest youth filmfestival in the world.

Lucy's film, entitled 'The Trench', is produced by YorkUniversity and features the miners who dug underthe trenches during WWI. Actors Kevin Guthrie andBert Lawrence star in ‘The Trench’ alongside currentpupils Charlie Crick and Chris Silovsky. Charlie andChris became involved in the film in February 2014,initially digging trenches before becoming invaluableset builders and backstage assistants, and even actingas soldiers in parts of the film.

OW Lara Garrett (1997-2011) also worked on thefilm. For all involved it was an amazing experience,bringing a vivid reality to WWI.

LUCY SHEPHERD’S FILMHITS INTERNATIONALFESTIVAL CIRCUIT

Adam Sutch (1964-1970) left Woodbridge in 1970 andthat was the end of his formal education for the next42 years. It was after he retired from his career inDefence that a chance conversation with an ex-flatmate (combined with a life-long interest in RAFBomber Command) led to Air Power Studies at theUniversity of Birmingham.

After what he describes as “tremendous fun,wallowing in research amongst like-minded chums”,Adam graduated in December last year with an MAwith Merit.

Classifying himself as a ‘Late Developer’, he thinks thathis former teachers at Woodbridge would be trulyamused by it all. He says “Considering that I left afterO-levels, Messrs Gooden, Proctor-Robinson, Stevensand the rest would be amazed, probably with someharrumphing about ‘standards today.’ The fact isthough, I am grateful to all of them. They laid thefoundations and I, eventually, followed through.”

Adam is now preparing to embark on a PhD, stillwithin the War Studies Department at Birmingham. Itis nice to see that there is more than one path tohigher education after Woodbridge and that it is nevertoo late.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE...

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'Once A Catholic' Zandra Beaumont’s play 'Once a Catholic'received 5 award nominations and won aBest Actress Award during last year'sFresher's Drama Competition 'Cuppers'.

Zandra Beaumont (2007-2014) couldn't stay away from the stage for long,although this time she used her skills to direct a play 'Once a Catholic'during the Oxford Fresher's Drama Competition, Cuppers. Herproduction sold out for its first performance, was nominated for 5 awardsand then went on to win Best Actress Award too. Zandra was placed in the Top 5 Best Directors in her Fresher Year –which she believes was only achieved with the help and support from Ms Mayes, Head of Drama at Woodbridge School.

OWs Off to the Palace!Laura Silovsky (2000-2013), Alice Verrill (2005-2013) and Will Loftus(2005-2012) received their D of E Gold Awards at St James' Palace in March of this year. HRH Duke of Edinburgh was in attendance and he enjoyed chatting and joking with all of the young achievers in attendance.

Awards were presented by Jim Rosenthal, the sportscommentator, whoread from his own Gold Expedition record book from FIFTY years ago!He spoke of the trials they overcame, the crucial teamwork,camaraderieand commitment needed to complete the trip, and of the enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence that some of his group acquired afterbattling through such brutal weather conditions together. These wordsparticularly resonated with Alice and Laura as they had trudged in suchbitter Lake District weather themselves.

Sophie Cookson's Starring RoleWho remembers Sophie Cookson (2000-2008) stealing the Seckford Theatre stage with herheart-wrenching performance in ‘Les Misérables’ back in 2007? Sophie has since starred asthe female lead 'Roxy' in the spy action film 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' which smashedthe UK Cinema Box Offices earlier this year. Other actors to star alongside Sophie werewell-known household names such as Colin Firth, Samuel L Jackson and Sir Michael Caine.

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Harry and his wife, who sponsorour Junior Technology Prize,visited Woodbridge School tolearn more about his father,

Wilfred Medcalf, OW, (1922-1927) and the original sponsor of thishighly-thought of prize. During his visit, Harry found a small brassplaque bearing his father’s name on one of the wooden seats in thechapel and on the boards in the School Hall.

After the visit, Harry did a little research and found that, in April1927, his father sat for a British Empire Scholarship at LoughboroughCollege and came second out of six. He was awarded an annualscholarship of £75, which entirely covered his accommodation costs.Woodbridge School awarded him an annual £50, which was sufficientto pay two thirds of the tuition fees. Without these funds his fatherwould never have been able to have had a further education. Harrysaid: ‘The school visit was a real highlight and we think that today’spupils are so lucky to enjoy the spacious surroundings and happyatmosphere that was apparent to us.’

Harry’s sponsorship helps our pupils to achieve their goals in Design& Technology; not dissimilar to the British Empire Scholarship thathelped his father carry on with further education.

HARRY MEDCALFLEARNS MORE ABOUTHIS FATHER, OW WILFRED MEDCALF

OWs return to Woodbridge Schoolafter more than 30 years

OWs Rob Cooke (1970-1979), LauraRicks (1977-1979) and DeborahPadfield (1977-1979), were delightedto return and take a look around oneSaturday. They were pleased to see theprogress made at the School, with Robsaying it was ‘all very impressive, and itstill has a wonderful feeling.’

There was a full and veryenthusiastic house for thissplendid event at the AbbeyHall earlier this year, when OW Owen Dawson broughthis quartet, all of whom are,like Owen, current students or recent graduates of theprestigious Royal Academy of Music jazz programme.

With guitarist Michael de Souza, FloMoore on bass and Jay Davis on drums,Owen’s group played two mellow sets ofwell-known standards. Their thoughtfuland sensitive improvisations were lappedup by the audience, and there weremany requests for a return visit. Seated

cabaret-style, the audience was invited to bring its own food and drink which added tothe lovely atmosphere of the evening.

Between Owen’s two sets, the School's Jazz Band performed its own set of five numbers,played with great gusto by Harrison Perkins & Josh Cole (saxaphone), Felix Kibble(guitar), Charlie Green (bass), Harrison Cole (piano) and Freeman Lok (drums). They willhave been inspired by Owen’s example to take things to a higher level still; we’ll lookforward to hearing more.

Jazz Supper

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On Friday 6 MarchHeadmaster NeilTetley was arrestedfor the dishonourableact of Cattle Rustling,as part of a fundraiserin aid of Home-StartSuffolk.

Since Mr Tetleymoved to the area, 3herds had gone

missing from around Woodbridge, only to be laterfound in the grounds of Woodbridge School. WhilstMr Tetley claimed these cows had made their ownway to his abode, Suffolk Police disagreed andordered for his arrest. He was then taken to theShire Hall where he was sentenced and jailed! MrTetley was later released after successfully raisinghis bail of £1000.

Home-Start would like to thank Mr Tetley for beingsuch a good sport on the day and for all whodonated towards the final fundraising total of over£1,900. Home-Start supports parents in the eastIpswich and Suffolk Coastal areas, to grow withconfidence, improve their health and wellbeing andstrengthen their relationships with their childrenand all the money raised will go directly to supportthe charity’s activities. For more information see: http://homestarteastsuffolk.org.uk

Headmaster Jailed!

Woodbridge School UpdateSix receive Oxbridge Offers

Huge congratulations to the six Year 13 students whohave received offers to read their chosen subjects atOxford and Cambridge this year.

The successful applicants to Oxford are Ella Hooper(Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, ExeterCollege) Eva Hilger (French and Russian, SommervilleCollege) and Alice Fisher (Philosophy and Linguistics,University College).

The offer of places at Cambridge have been given toBenjamin Schreiber (Mathematics, King’s College),Michael Xu (Mathematics, Clare College) and FraserMcKee (Law, Downing College).

BLUE STOCKINGSYear 10 and 11pupils performedJessica Swale’s play,'Blue Stockings',which is astonishingin its portrayal ofthe hostility womenencountered asthey sought the

right to graduate from Cambridge. The playshowcased lecturers and male undergraduatesbullying or patronising their female contemporariesin turn, with one speech in particular as close to alitany of hate as one could imagine.

The evening was a surprise and a delight from thestart; a scene set through physical theatre, tweakedand altered with rhythmic grace, but most of all filledwith performances of great merit, honesty andintegrity to the spirit of the age and the importanceof the themes. Many, many congratulations to castand crew, to choreographer and directors. Brilliant!

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Sixth form students transform into stylish catwalkmodels for charity

Our Sixth Formers put their nerves aside as they took to thecatwalk for the annual School Fashion Show, which this year was inaid of YoungMinds, a charity committed to improving the emotionalwellbeing and mental health of children and young people.

The young models were dressed in different styles fromprofessional attire to casual; elegant vintage through to modern;with all clothing and accessories supplied by local boutiques. Thistruly was a showcase of wonderful clothing from our loyalsupporters of this annual event.

The show also featured designs by Sixth Formers Millie Buckleyand Johnny O'Grady, which received rousing support from theaudience.

It really was a great evening for both students and the audiencealike. With everyone’s support the students raised over £3,000 forYoungMinds, which is a great achievement.

ANNUAL CHARITY FASHION SHOW

The excellent acoustics andspace of the Snape MaltingsConcert Hall were used to full advantage when over 300young people came togetherto perform in the WoodbridgeSchool Gala Concert.

After many months ofrehearsal and logistical

preparation, 300 pupils from Woodbridge School’s manybands, orchestras and choirs combined their excellence for a packed programme of music.

The first half of the programme featured the School's Swing Band, Concert Band and Orchestra performing awide range of music, from Britten to ‘Les Misérables’, todemonstrate their different skills.

The Abbey’s Chapel Choir sang three songs at the start,followed by the School's guests from Germany, theAhrensburg Youth Chamber Choir, who brought aninternational flavour to the evening as they performed inseveral different languages.

The visitors then joined the Woodbridge singers andmusicians for a dramatic finale in the form of the 'TsunamiRequiem'.The evening closed with the massed choirsperforming a resounding performance of 'Zadok the Priest'.

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at Snape Maltings Concert HallGala Concert

Year 1 spent the day living life as it would have been in a 12th century castle. They learned a variety of skills important tomedieval life such as weaving, making medicinalherb bags and leather finger protectors, whichthey later used during archery training with LordPhillip. The afternoon was spent at a banquetwhere the children took on different roles andcastle duties. Some entertained with singing,juggling and jesting while others acted the storyof 'George and the Dragon'. The castle servantsbrought some typical food for Lord Phillip andhis important guests to sup! The day ended witha display of skill and bravery where all thechildren donned shield and lance and practisedtheir tilting skills at the Quintain.

Castle Day

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Over 360 pupils, aged 10 to 13 years, from 19 prep schoolsacross the region participated in this year’s East AnglianPrep Schools Cross Country Championships.

Woodbridge School played host for the first time and won nine of the eleventrophies, including the overall Championship title.

In the team events the Woodbridge girls won the Under 11, 12 and 13categories as well as the overall girls’ title. Not to be outdone, theWoodbridge boys won the Under 10, 11 and 13 groups together with theoverall boys’ title again which meant Woodbridge School scooped theChampionship title too.

Cross Country success atEast Anglian Prep SchoolsChampionships

International Mastertitle for School Houseboarder Justin Tan

CAREERS CORNERWe have had a busy term with a variety of careersevents including our new careers assemblies and ourcareers lunches.

We have been lucky enough to have had input from both parents and OWsat these events and have learnt about the importance of goal-setting,resilience and risk-taking and how to make your CV and interview skillsstand out. Isobel Tyndale-Brown is continuing to develop this departmentand would love to hear your views on any careers events you think may beuseful, or if you have time to offer at an event or as a mentor to one ofour students looking into careers in your field. Please contact Isobel atibrown@woodbridge.suffolk.sch.uk with any ideas.

School House boarder Justin Tancompeted in the chess championshipBunratty Classic in Ireland, losing onlyone game to the tournament winnerand gaining an overall score thatqualified him for International Master(IM) status. He even beat his teacherand mentor IM Adam Hunt. The awardof the title is ratified at the FIDECongress and Justin officially becamean IM just after his 18th birthday.

This is a great achievement for Justin,who arrived at the School in late 2013from Australia with the specificchallenge of attaining this title.

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The Gallery

Classics Trip

to Rome

Junior Ski Trip

to Austria

Exchange trip to Oman

School House Gallery

School House Boarders enjoying the weather and a trip to Colchester Zoo

School House Boarders celebratingChinese New Year with a feast and

fireworks - fabulous!

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