The Ludgrovian - December 2019

THE LUDGROVIAN ‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might’ Ecclesiastes IX v.10

Contents • Highlights from the Michaelmas Term • Heads Up Challenge raises over £100,000 • OL News and Events • OL Turf Club Drinks • Exploration Centre update • Public School Destinations • Merchandise

Welcome from the Headmaster Welcome to the latest edition of The Ludgrovian which will hopefully give you a flavour of what we have been up to over the last few months.

The beginning of a new term, particularly that at the start of the academic year, is an exciting time for everyone. I’m sure we can all remember how it feels to be a new face at school, arriving for your first day full of enthusiasm and a little nervous. This year’s cohort of new boys has settled in brilliantly, helped by their ‘shadows’, the

December 2019

other boys and all the wonderful staff.

For the top year, the Michaelmas term heralds a step up in expectation as they lead the school as well preparing for senior school destinations. It’s heads down on the academic front and full throttle in making the most of their last three terms at Ludgrove, enjoying the sport, art, music, drama and extra curricular activities that builds the ‘all rounders’ that enables our boys to thrive in the future.

No matter what year the boys are in, all eyes

are on the new Exploration Centre as the state-of-the-art, £2.5M building emerges from the site behind the Theatre.

Work is cracking on apace and the whole school eagerly awaits the Science and Creative Arts facility opening in Autumn 2020.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter and that it provides an insight into Ludgrove life in 2019. Any feedback is welcome, as is any news to be included in next term’s Lent edition. Contact details are on the back page.

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December 2019

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Michaelmas Term Highlights Autumn Concert

VIs beginning of term

Poetry Recitations

Henry Van Straubenzee Carol Service

National Poetry Day

Solo Singing Cup

Roald Dahl Day

1s Leaders Day

Usborne Book Fair

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Visiting poet, Joshua Siegel

Bradfield Science Challenge

Bonfire Night

Living Rainforest

Remembrance Day

Tate Modern visit

Mouthguard fitting

Harvest Festival

Christmas Fair

Dribbling competition

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In the spotlight on Ludgrove’s stage VIs Nativity Play

Oliver! by the 1s

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Heads Up Challenge raises over £100,000 While school was out for the summer holidays, there was no rest for a group of 21 prep school Headmasters taking on the Heads Up Challenge. Our own Mr Barber was among that number training hard for an epic 65-mile test of endurance in the rugged Pembrokeshire countryside to raise £100,000 for Place2Be, the UK’s leading children’s mental health charity.

Rising at dawn on 27th August, the intrepid Heads set off on a 3-mile sea kayak, followed by a 50-mile bike ride and finishing with a 12-mile hike along the coastal path. The group finally reached the finish line just before 9pm, tired but elated to have completed its adventure.

Mr Barber explained: “The aim of the Heads Up Challenge was to raise awareness and vital funds for Place2Be by bringing a number of Heads together on

one day in Wales to complete a dawn ‘till dusk challenge. It was physically demanding but there was a tremendous team spirit and sense of purpose which at the end of the day left us all feeling proud.”

The headteachers met through a support network within the education sector, where they all share advice on best practice. According to Place2Be, 93% of school leaders report that pupils bring more personal problems into school than they did only five years ago, a fact recognised by the Heads Up group and the impact it has on their teaching staff in managing issues beyond their normal professional role.

Mr Barber continued: “If you want a happy school where your students can achieve their best, you have to be conscious of the mental health of your student body and that is where Place2Be can help. Among other things, the charity puts counsellors into schools for young people and trains teachers to look out for pupils who may be experiencing difficulties. The Heads Up group believes that every child has a voice and every child is important, no matter how small.”

Place2Be is a charity, with the Duchess of Cambridge as its patron, with a mission to improve the mental wellbeing and prospects of children, their families and school communities across the UK. With 1 in 8 children now being reported as having a mental health problem in this country,

“The Heads Up group believes that every child has a voice and every child is important, no matter how small.” the impact on their ability to learn, make friends and tackle everyday life can be overwhelming. In fact, half of those with lifetime mental health problems experience symptoms by the age of 14.

The good news is that as a result of the Heads Up Challenge a grand total of £101,468, with Mr Barber contributing over £21,000 of that amount! Well done to all involved and we look forward to the next fund raising adventure!

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A round up of Old Ludgrovian events OL Golf Day, 28 April The sun shone and the Red course at the Berkshire proved to be a tough assignment for the assembled 16 OL golfers. The course was tackled in teams of threes and fours with the senior team of Richard Barber (1955), Rick Goodhew (1962) and Charles Shaw (1962) winning the team prize by two points.

Individual honours went to Charlie Snow (1978) with 34 points defeating Simon Beccle (1977) and Henry Neame (1987) by two.

Others present were James Goodhew (1995), Piers Stoop (2000), Will Hyslop (2009), Mike Bishop (1994), Henry Emson (1994), Max Konig (1990), Sam Elworthy (1988), Garth Milne (1955) and guest artist Pete Shaw.

OL Football, 29 September It was fantastic to have over 30 OLs at the school for Sunday lunch and football.

Boys came from Radley, Eton and Harrow, with those from the latter two giving up some of their exeat weekend to return to Ludgrove. The boys enjoyed a good catch up with each other, a delicious lunch - and grub - and some entertaining football.

Ludgrove v Elstree OL Football, 13 October Ludgrove hosted the annual fixture this weekend in torrential rain and, against a skilful opposition, came second!

Once again it was a fun, convivial occasion followed by a good lunch with no less than three Milnes taking part with a fourth, GDAM, watching as a proud dad!

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OL Sets’ Football, 5 October More than 40 OLs met at Burton Court, Chelsea for the third of our annual Sets' Football matches, in aid of Place2Be. The increasingly popular event was organised

by OLs Ed Correy Reid and Max Fraser.

With match shirts, a bar for half time drinks and a fun lunch afterwards in a nearby pub - all sponsored by old boys - it was an extremely jolly event with a close score of 11-10 to the ‘blues’.

Congratulations to Nelson for being the set with the greatest turnout.

The Wiggin Cup, 3 November Ludgrovian Old Boys and a staff side met on 3rd November to pit their football skills against each other in the annual Wiggin Cup match, refereed by Mr Barber.

As always, a hard fought match ensued with both sides pulling out all the stops to dominate the field. In the end, the OL team claimed victory with the only goal of the match being blasted into the back of the net by the Skipper, Mr R Wiggin himself!

The boys greatly enjoyed watching the two teams go head-to-head, in some cases cheering their fathers on with great gusto.

With the final score line of 1-0 to the OLs, all camaraderie was resumed over a delicious match tea and much detailed game analysis.

Until next year...

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December 2019

OL Drinks at The Turf Club

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More than 120 Old Ludgrovians gathered at the Turf Club in St James, London on Wednesday 20th November to raise a glass to the school and the enduring friendships that were forged there.

one another with stories of their school days and catching up with current news. Past friendships were rekindled and new alliances created.

Hosted by Simon and Sophie Barber, the event attracted OLs from over two centuries, with leaving years as widely spread as the 1940s up to the 2000s. The guests enjoyed an evening regaling

Alongside the current Barbers were the former Headmaster and his wife, Gerald and Janet Barber who were much in demand with all age groups!

This event is the highlight of the year’s OL activities so please keep an eye out for the November 2020 invitation (date tbc)

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Exploration Centre update: The new development emerges from the ground There are exciting times afoot at Ludgrove as the next chapter in its history is emerging from the ground. To underpin the commitment to provide our boys with the essential tools to help them meet the challenges of the 21st Century, we are building the finest prep school scientific and creative learning environments in the country: the Exploration Centre.

The £2.5million building will help fulfil that aim, by providing the boys with a purpose built environment in which to explore the worlds of science, technology, design and the visual arts; to develop a curious mindset; and to think and apply themselves creatively.

Ground floor

First floor Funded by an equal partnership of school investment and donations, the building has been designed in keeping with Ludgrove’s architectural style. Situated on the site of the old Victorian greenhouses, the Exploration Centre is adjacent to the Theatre and will house an IT suite with programming, coding and robotics; two new Science laboratories; Art and Ceramics studios; and a Design Technology workshop.

Having broken ground during the Summer holiday, realistic planning and hard work by the school’s project team and contractors has kept construction on track, despite some challenging weather conditions. So, as we welcome in a new year, we remain on course to complete in the Summer of 2020 and open in time for the new academic year in September.

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Public School Destinations 2019 At Ludgrove we remain unashamedly ambitious for our boys and our proud of their academic success.

We were delighted when all 40 top year boys passed Common Entrance, Winchester Entrance and Scholarship examinations to 12 distinguished schools.

As a result, six boys were awarded scholarships to their chosen Senior schools (please see list on the right). Almost 80% headed off to Eton, Harrow, Radley, Winchester and Marlborough, and the remainder to other distinguished schools.

Scholarships & Awards 2018-19 Charterhouse School CE Classic Prize Eton Annah Shaw Exhibition for Classics Harrow School All Rounder Scholarship Radley Sports Exhibition Marlborough Art Scholarship Marlborough Sport Scholarship

Senior School Destinations Eton

10

Harrow

5

Radley

7

Winchester

4

Sherborne

2

Charterhouse

2

Marlborough

5

Bradfield

2

Bryanston

1

Stowe

1

Tonbridge

1

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Something to remember us by...

A wonderful addition to the merchandise range are high-quality, hand crafted cufflinks, made of hallmarked 925 sterling silver and enamel and housed in a named box.

Not only are the cufflinks a wonderful gift, their sale also directly benefits your prep school.From each pair sold, £50 goes to the Ludgrove Foundation; and £500 has already been paid into that account!

Postage and packing is £10 (signed for UK Special Next Day Delivery). Price on application for postage of more than two pairs or international delivery.

To order your cufflinks, please email hglinks26@gmail.com to place your order The Story of Ludgrove

by Richard Barber Published in 2004 £25.00, plus p&p

Anniversary Mug Susan Rose Bone China, 190ml £12.50 plus p&p

These items, and more, are available through the Ludgrove website, www.ludgrove.net or by contacting the Development office, email development@ ludgroveschool.co.uk Cufflinks must be ordered via hglinks@gmail.com ‘You’re in Next’ by Luke Martineau (OL 1983), limited edition signed print.

A timeless image of young Ludgrove boys waiting to bat outside the 1st XI pavilion, it was completed in 2017 to coincide with the 125th Anniversary celebrations.

Where still available, we are able to match your numbered print to your school number. Please contact us to see if that facility is possible.

For more about Luke’s work, visit www.lukemartineau.com £125.00, plus p&p

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What it means to be an OL elong erful lif d n o w with hers vide me o r p s than ot a n h e e t f v o o more Ludgr at old e I see m o S , but th . e s f goes li f o friend ure y never t n a a n p e m h e o c ot arely. W in their r owing t e e s r o a e m I see ity and e no se who familiar o h t ience lik h r e it p w x e n l ve utua away, e and a m y r o t is h bond. eate a share a r c s e o ven nd it d eable, e other a ic t o n ly ediate e. I s befor t’s imm s a o h r c t a g e ve t com methin e all ha I’ve no It’s so w ’s , L ll a O b t g eetin ets foo when m s, OL s ions. k in r d generat OL s t d a n e e c ic s not tran y and it it in f f a that an urture n d n a aintain nt to m a t t of it. r o p g a par in It’s im e b y jo nd I en spirit a f 1995 Class o , id e R ey Ed Corr

Many of you will already know Old Ludgrovian, Ed Correy Reid (above left), either facing him on the pitch for Sets’ Football (of which he is an organiser) or sharing a glass of wine and swapping anecdotes at the Turf Club Drinks Party. Here he shares with us why it is so important to him to be a part of the OL community.

Miss Bridge wins BSA award We are delighted to announce that Miss Bridge has been awarded this year's Stephen Winkley Award by the Boarding Schools' Association.

The award commends the achievements of an individual who has made a

significant contribution to the cause of boarding.

Miss Bridge has worked as a boarding matron at Ludgrove for 25 years and we’re delighted her dedication has been acknowledged by the BSA.

Contact us: For enquiries regarding registrations for OL events, to update your contact details, or to send us news, please visit www.ludgrove.net/updatecontactdetails Telephone: 0118 978 9881 Email: development@ludgroveschool.co.uk Website: www.ludgrove.net Address: Ludgrove, Wokingham, Berks, RG40 3AB

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