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RAF hit the spot at National Championships
The RAF Competition team was thrilled to attend the Royal Air Squadron Trophy National Finals on Sunday 8 March. To qualify, the team had finished in the top three of the East region military skills competition out of 40 schools - an amazing achievement in itself. More remarkable still was that this was the second successive year our team had qualified for the national finals – and only the second time ever!
Last year we won the drill (becoming CCF RAF National Drill Champions); this year we won the Shooting (becoming CCF RAF National Shooting Champions). To be crowned champions in these disciplines (out of 230 schools nationally) over the past two years is an outstanding achievement. Indeed, Woodbridge was the only Eastern Area School to win a trophy at this year’s finals, cementing our place in the top 16 CCF RAFs in the country.
The competition includes numerous other disciplines alongside drill and shooting, such as first aid, aircraft recognition, RAF knowledge, and command tasks. We haven’t yet heard the final overall result, but hope for more good news soon.
A special mention needs to go to team leader Henry for getting a young squad to such a fantastic standard, and for calling the drill so expertly; also to his fellow senior cadets Poppy, Luke and Leon for excellent teaching throughout the qualification process. The winning shooting team of Henry, Luke, Leon and James were, of course, quite superb; Emily was the highest placed female in the Aircraft recognition competition nationally; and Esme and Lala, our two youngest team members, were fantastic throughout the entire process: the Queen’s Colour Squadron Drill staff praised their drill in particular.
But this is very much a team competition, so our final and loudest cheer should go to the whole squad of Henry, Poppy, Leon, Luke, James P, James Y, Emily, Cecily, Lucy, Prin, Chase, Lala and Esme.
They were a credit to the school; Miss Tattoo is a very proud OC!
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Isobel S reports from MUN Felsted
On Sunday 8 March nine students from Sixth Form went to Felsted School for a Model United Nations conference. We were split into two groups to represent the nations of Belgium and Greece.
On the first day we worked in our committees and debated a variety of topics relating to our chosen committee. In the Economic and Social committee, we discussed the economic impacts of climate change. Over the two days we discussed a variety of topics from climate change to the reintroduction of the USSR.
On Monday morning, we then joined up into groups of councils and debated a range of topics together. Then in the afternoon, we were given an emergency situation to resolve, involving Russian involvement in the Baltic countries. The resolution, written by the Woodbridge students representing Belgium, was debated by the entire conference, which is a very impressive feat.
Well done to Freddie W for winning best delegate in the security council, and thank you to Dr Ruggiero for organising this fantastic trip!
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A force to be reckoned with
It’s been a busy few weeks for the newly formed CCF Signals Section. On 7 February nine cadets drawn from across all three sections took their Radio User Assessment: this required the cadets to take three online assessments in the space of 2½ hours, scoring at least 70% in each to pass… they all did!
After this, Cpl Edward went to the home of the Royal Signals at Blandford, Dorset to take a one week course to fully qualify himself as a signaller. At its conclusion it was announced that Edward was the top student on the course: many congratulations to him on this excellent result.
After this success, Edward went straight into teaching the team that had been selected to take part in the National Signals Competition, Exercise Rolling Thunder.
This competition is hotly contested by signals units from all over the UK, with sixteen teams coming from as far away as Scotland and Northern Ireland to compete.
Our team, consisting of Cpl Edward, Cpl Toby, AB Josh, OC Tim and OC George, put their minds to the task with gusto and after a 5½ hour drive from school to Dorset they prepared themselves for a competition none had ever thought they would be in.
At the end of an exciting day Woodbridge School CCF came 5th overall, beating teams with much more qualified cadets in them, and in the Teamwork section of the competition the boys were awarded Bronze Medals.
Overall the cadets have shown that Woodbridge School is a force to be reckoned with; the organising staff have said they look forward to seeing us at the competition again next year!
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What do we want? | Year 12 Drama exam
Anger, intimidation, conflict, politicisation.
No... that's what we get. What we have.
What we want is peace, reconciliation, coexistence, respect, change...
The anger of the mob; or the energetic commitment of the righteous - perspective is everything. And Charlotte, Kia, Derry and Robert's immersive drama opened our eyes to the conflict inherent in perspective. We were crowd-lectured first - tragic outcomes from peaceful openings; then transported, and allowed to share the indignation of journalists beset by a crowded newsroom and crowded news - gloom and outrage to report from every direction. So far so troubling. But then the intimidation, the dislocation; and then the chance to frame our own debate and be part of the rebellion. How the chanting compelled adherence and created passion from nothing... very scary. And then the final scene surrounded by smoke, amidst bloodshed, riot, shields, metal, beatings... there we were, one audience become two sides. In competition? Or together but rent asunder? If I'd been told to go and fight for my side (the 'Red') I was ready... how had that happened? Passion for the right thing, or a buzz for the fight thing?
Really, really challenging and involving theatre is difficult to achieve - this quartet triumphed. The audience will from now on think more deeply about our political and ethical landscape... What have we been? Changed.
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The Junior 1st Boys’ hockey team created a big legacy on Wednesday, and set a record that will likely stand forever. The team outdid themselves in every way…
The team convincingly beat their counterparts from Orwell Park by seven goals to two. This score line may seem to reflect a one sided affair but do not be fooled. The difference between the two teams on the day in an end-to-end and physical match was this:
- Woodbridge School scored 90% of their chances and did so in style
- Woodbridge stopped Orwell Park from scoring 90% of their chances and did so in style!
A monumental team effort saw the team fight for every inch on the pitch, rise to every challenge put to them (on and off the pitch), stretch their skills and decision making and perfect their passing. At the end of almost every final pass was Luca! This young man is not only a hat trick hero but in indeed scored seven times!! Again, do not be fooled in thinking this was a one man show with complete domination. Every goal was devised with the whole team impacting the move and Luca calmly doing the rest in front of the goalkeeper. Two highly commendable goals were: Alfie giving a crossfield aerial, one bounce to Luca who eliminated one player and slotted the goal. Another one of many magic moments came from Hugh, making his way down the right flank, carrying on the baseline, drawing the GK and giving the perfect pass to a free player in the D – who else but Luca to put the ball in the back of the goal. This was even more special as the exact move was discussed with Hugh before he took the field and he executed the plan perfectly.
At the end of the match it was all smiles from the players and coaching staff, still somewhat in awe of what they had just done on the pitch and witnessed from the side. Testament to the humility and hard work of every player in this team, when the match was debriefed and there could be only praise for near perfection the players responded with: There is no such thing as perfection and we want to be even better next time.
Well done to every member of the team for delivering the most special day and sporting moment which will live for a very long time in this coach’s memory and every Woodbridge player and supporter. Deciding the player of the match was again a difficult choice… Congratulations to Luca on an exceptional display of goal finishing and determination.
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The second half of the recent junior 3 fixture against Orwell Park showed us at our skilful best. It couldn’t have been more different from the first as Woodbridge’s wide attacking hockey allowed us to dominate, having earlier ceded the advantage to Orwell Park. Unfortunately their goalkeeper played a tremendous match and was tough to get past, with only Alex succeeding. A close nail-biting game came to an end with Woodbridge second best by 3-1. Well done to players of the match Errol and Will M.
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The U12 B netball team played Ipswich School away on Saturday. They continued their unbeaten run and despite sharp shooter Nancy being away at a riding event the team finished with a win of 12-5. Fellow shooter Nina took on the role as captain and along with Ella notched up their goals scored this season to 149! Nominated player of the match was Alice whose great reach seemed to scoop up all balls in the defending circle. Great linking play came from the mid court players Theodora, Eve, and Lilianna in attack and Olivia, Lily, Tabitha in defence. Some of the B team players then moved to support the C team which also won to complete a great day.
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The efforts of the Woodbridge Sports department in their fundraising for the WoodenSpoon Charity have been revealed as a new Learning Kitchen is opened in Hadleigh.
On Wednesday Mr Devir, Head of Rugby at Woodbridge School, met with John Winders, President of the Eastern Counties Rugby Union to open a 'Learning Kitchen' at the Porch Project in Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Derek Grimwood, Porch Project Manager described the new facility as "Somewhere where the whole family unit will be able to learn about food hygiene and healthy eating." The kitchen is just part of a larger upgrade to the centre, which was established to in 2009 give people between the ages of 11-20 somewhere to go and socialise.
The School helped raise the money with WoodenSpoon ambassadors Ollie Phillips and Tamara Taylor at a Dinner and Silent Auction back in November 2019 which raised an amazing £4,500.
Pupils were also treated to master classes from both Ollie and Tamara which has led to more girls rugby with our first fixture on 26th March 2020.
Well done to Mr Denvir and the team for all their work in fundraising for such an excellent cause.
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From the 5th-15th April I am cycling over 1,000 miles with an altitude gain of over 15,000 metres around the circumference of Ireland together with former Scotland and England international rugby players Iwan Tukalo, Bryan Redpath, Ollie Phillips and Simon Danielli to raise money to help fund research and raise awareness of MND and to help anyone touched by MND, including former Scotland and British and Irish Lion, Doddie Weir OBE. Every single penny you donate will help those in need and give us inspiration along the way.
To donate:- https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laurence-denvir3
More background:-
https://doddie5-ride.co.uk/the-great-rugby-cycle-2020
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Woodbridge Shufflers annual 10K
The 39th annual Woodbridge Round-the-Town Charity races will be held in 2020 on Sunday 17th May 2020. The races follow an undulating course through the streets of Woodbridge that brings the whole town out to line the streets and support the runners.
Entries for the race open at noon on 14 March 2020 with the Woodbridge Shufflers website to book your place
If you have any questions about the race not answered here you might find what you are looking for in our Woodbridge 10K FAQ
Over the 39 years the race has been run over £100K has been raised for local charities. The beneficiary charities are selected each year by club members at the AGM.
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On 8-10th May 2020, Art for Cure are taking over Glemham Hall to exhibit a unique curation of art works, prints and sculpture from a large number of East Anglian and acclaimed national artists. With over 8,000 visitors at the last show, this is a huge event, and all of the profits raised will go towards essential research projects at Breast Cancer now, as well the planned refurbishment of the Le Vay Centre at Ipswich Hospital and the support of Little Lifts, a start-up business offering boxes of uplifting goodies free-of-charge for breast cancer patients.
Since 2014, when Art for Cure was founded by a local woman who suffered from breast cancer, they have raised an incredible £730,000. In order for this event to be as successful as possible, they rely on a large army of volunteers to act as art and sculpture guides, assist in the catering tent and art army tent and help on the welcome gate. If any pupils or parents are able to give up a few hours or either of the days to help, they would be most grateful.
For more information, please visit www.artforcure.org.uk, or email Amanda Deacon amanda@deacs.co.uk
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