The Ludgrovian - Spring 2022

THE LUDGROVIAN SPRING 2022

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

Contents • • • • • • •

Highlights from the Easter Term School Community Helps Ukrainian Plight Last Weekend is a Triple-Header of Fun Supporters See Inside the Exploration Centre Scholarship News for the Top Year Changing Faces OLs Keep in Touch

Welcome from the Headmaster As I write, the sun is shining and Spring has very much sprung with the crocuses and daffodils all around the school... It is a stunning sight.

The Easter Term 2022 has been as busy as ever and I hope the following pages give you a flavour of what we have been up to. There has been much success both in and outside the classroom and as Covid restrictions have eased, it has been tremendous to ‘feel’ normality starting to return.

I spoke to the boys earlier in the term about the importance of pride – pride in themselves, pride in each other and pride in the School, and we are lucky to have much of which to be proud.

There are notable achievements: scholarships and an exhibition to celebrate, a brilliant final of the Speeches competition, the Threes Play, a wonderful Spring Concert and more but what encapsulates the Ludgrove ‘spirit’ every year is the Inter-Set Cross-Country race. It is always a great Spring 2022

“I would like to congratulate the boys for everything they have achieved” occasion, well supported by families, and again this year we were mightily impressed by everyone who took part.

Every boy who started the race, both in the Junior and Senior events, finished.

Even those who are not natural athletes showed true grit and, cheered on by their peers, completed the course to huge applause.

As we look forward to the Summer, I would like to take this opportunity to

thank the Ludgrove family for all the tremendous support this term. It was an ‘interesting’ start in January as a significant number of pastoral and academic staff were forced to isolate yet everyone rose to the challenge every time; we are lucky to have such a dedicated team.

I would like to congratulate the boys for everything they have achieved – I hope they are proud of themselves.

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Spring 2022

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Easter Term Highlights New year, new start to life at Ludgrove! With Covid regulations lifting and school life returning to a semblance of normality, the boys have enjoyed a packed term of activities, with parents and families able to cheer them on from the sidelines or in the audience. Here is just a selection of the term’s highlights.

The IVs’ Activity Day at Oakwood Climbing Centre

Red Nose day for Comic Relief

Hosting the U9-13 Swimming Gala with The Harrodian

Governors’ Day

Runners up in the Real Tennis National Schools U13s Doubles

The Food Committee Quantum Theatre performed Macbeth

U9A came first in Ludgrove’s Inter School Cross-Country Relay races

The Prep School Debate competition at The Oratory

Winners and runners up in the Speeches Final

Elevate study skills

Spring 2022

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Kitchener won the finals of the General Knowledge

Chinese New Year feast Oscar and Billy won silver in the Prep School Fives Championships

Wellington Chemistry Spectacular Haig enjoys Sets’ Tea for winning the Sets’ Race

Sunday Funday!

Social evenings for the top two Years

Monitors’ Supper Night at the Barbers

Mastermind Final

The U9A team was unbeaten throughout the season

Silver in the Ind. School Clay Pigeon Championships

Spring 2022

The Ludgrove community pulls together to help Ukrainian refugees

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Thank you for coming to see us A huge thank you to Mr Lawson who spoke to the boys on the last day of term about his journey to deliver the School’s donations to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

When Mr Barber asked for parents and staff to donate much needed supplies to help Ukrainian refugees displaced from their country, the Ludgrove community once again rose to the challenge.

Mr Barber made the request having been contacted by parent, Mr Lawson, who volunteered to drive donations the 1,873km journey to Poland.

Little did he know that people would show overwhelming

generosity, donating double the amount that he had expected.

With the help of School staff, Mr Lawson overcame the immediate challenge of packing everything into two cars before last minute travel plan arrangements and his departure with wingman and experienced refugee volunteer, Mr Hopkins.

Once started, the journey was anything but easy, with two mechanical breakdowns in as

many days, but the duo were amazed by the kindness shown to them by police, mechanics and hoteliers in Europe.

Once he reached his final destination, Mr Lawson was overwhelmed by the gratitude shown to him by relief organisers and refugees.

Before returning home, the pair helped distribute donations and drove many miles relocating aid workers.

He explained how their contributions gave respect to the recipients and helped restore their dignity when they were feeling confused, scared and angry.

Tales of his trip brought a deluge of questions from the boys who would have happily carried on all day - Mr Barber reluctantly called things to a close to enable boys to go home!

Ludgrove applauds all for their generosity and Mr Lawson for his tenacity and courage.

Spring 2022

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Children’s Mental Health Week

This year’s Children’s Mental Health Week encouraged children and adults to consider how they have grown, how they can help others to grow, all whilst promoting kindness to all.

There was a variety of activities at School during the week, which included filling up each others’ ‘Wellness Bucket’ posters with all their good qualities. They found the more they filled their friends’ buckets, the happier they felt themselves! When learning about pie charts and percentages in Maths, the boys worked together to divide up their ‘Well-being Wheel’ with everything that makes them happy. Although sport, grub and movie nights with the P-Hs had lots of mentions, it was lovely to see reading and spending time with animals and nature were important to the boys too.

As part of Children’s Mental Health Week, Mr Barber’s PSHE class watched Place2Be’s virtual assembly about ‘Growing Together’. The boys then expanded the topic by drawing a ‘support balloon’ containing all the people who lift them up. Lovely to see Mr Barber’s balloon included the boys, Mrs Barber and Quila!

Guest speakers inspire the boys Expert help Dissection Club welcomed parent, Dr Salisbury, Consultant Nephrologist, who spoke to the boys about her work in the Renal and Transplant Centre at Hammersmith Hospital and demonstrated how to dissect a kidney.

As part of Ludgrove’s Enrichment Programme, the boys have enjoyed a number of thought-provoking and inspirational lectures.

During the Easter term, the boys have been lucky enough to hear:

Explorer Mr Walker, who recounted his four-year, 43,000 mile bicycle journey through 60 countries.

Mr Reichman, Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, who

spoke about a new car’s journey from concept to the showroom.

Mrs Sherbrooke, general counsel and parent, who explained her work to support and promote ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’.

Spring 2022

And they’r

Twisted Tales of Terror - a triumph for the IIIs Dracula and Frankenstein, werewolves, witches and mummies all took to the stage at Ludgrove School to tell their Twisted Tales of Terror.

The IIIs’ play was a huge hit with the packed audience of parents and boys (the VIs and IVs enjoyed the dress rehearsal so much, they watched it for a second night in a row!) laughing out loud at the spooky antics and energetic dancing.

The memorable evening was brought to a close with thunderous applause for all the cast and crew who put on such an ambitious and enjoyable production. Bravo!

A packed final weekend of triple-header of theatre, sp The annual Inter-Set Cross-Country competition was kicked off by the Junior racers on a glorious afternoon at Ludgrove School.

After spirited running by all the field, the first three across the finish line were Ludo, Arthur and Fred with the Junior Sets’ result going to Haig, Jellicoe then Kitchener.

Ludo won the Junior event

After the warm up of the Junior event, it was the turn of the Seniors in the Inter-Set Cross-Country competition.

From a strong field, first over the line was Tintin followed by a close fought battle by Jun and Henry for second and third.

With all the results logged, the Sets’ Senior placing saw Drake,

Tintin won the Senior event

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Boys play to a full house

re off !

What a wonderful way to end a packed weekend of events to round off the Easter term at Ludgrove School!

Choirs, ensembles, bands, duets and soloists took to the stage to illustrate the breadth and depth of talent in the School.

Families filled the Theatre to appreciate the musical talents of the boys in the Spring Concert.

Congratulations to all the boys who took part, the music and peripatetic teachers and the team who made it possible.

f the term is a port and music Haig and Jellicoe step up to the podium to collect their medals.

As Mr Barber congratulated the individual and Sets’ winners, he commended all the boys saying: “Everyone who started the race, finished the race. Well done to you all.”

Thank you boys for such a thrilling afternoon of racing.

Senior top three (from left): Jun (2nd), Tintin (1st) and Henry (3rd)

Junior top three (from left): Arthur (2nd), Ludo (1st) and Fred (3rd)

Spring 2022

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Supporters see the Exploration Centre come alive The amazing facilities in the Exploration Centre were brought to life by the boys and staff during a reception to thank all those who kindly supported the project.

Guests were able to see the Art, CDT, Ceramics, Coding and Science rooms in full flight and, most importantly, how much everyone enjoys using the equipment and space.

As an added bonus, the boys’ creative work was on display throughout the Exploration Centre and Theatre as a

wonderful demonstration of the quality and variety of work produced in these classrooms.

We are sincerely grateful to our supporters for their vision in making the Exploration Centre possible; it enhances the lives of boys now and will continue to do so for future generations of Ludgrovians.

Spring 2022

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Talent on display

Art lovers enjoyed several opportunities to look at the boys’ creative works of art during a three-day exhibition at Ludgrove. The event showcased the wonderful art, CDT and ceramics produced in the Exploration Centre and, with so much to see, the exhibits filled the Centre and then spilled over into the Theatre. The new facility really has inspired our boys!

Spring 2022

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Celebrating boys’ success Jun has been awarded a prestigious Music Exhibition

by Eton College. This Year 8 boy is a wonderful musician playing Taiko (traditional Japanese drums), violin and he also sings in the choir.

Fit4Feb the boys take on a 28-day challenge During February, Mr Western-Kaye challenged the boys to take on #Fit4Feb in support of the Charlie Waller Trust and its important work to support young people’s mental health.

Orlando has been awarded the top Drama Scholarship to Stowe School. This talented performer was rewarded with a rousing round of applause when Mr Barber announced the news in Assembly.

Every day, the boys and teachers took on a new test, all based on the number 28 - 28 press ups in a minute, 28 keepie uppies, run the cart track in 2 minutes 8 seconds and walking 28kms over half term!

Willoughby has been awarded a coveted Sports Scholarship to Sherborne. He has been an outstanding sportsman, leading from the front and always displaying great spirit and sportsmanship.

Read all about World Book Day! World Book Day reached every corner of Ludgrove School, from book characters in the Common Room and a visiting author in the Theatre, to free books in the Library and lunchtime Dingbats in the Dining Hall!

book Malamander, set in the fictional seaside town.

As the highlight of the day, the boys were taken on a magical tour of Eerie-on-Sea by Thomas Taylor, author of the best-selling

Thank you to Mr Taylor, Mrs Gore in the English Department and Mrs Bidgood, Librarian, for a literary day second to none.

He not only told them how he finds inspiration, he also showed them such mystical treasures as mermaids’ tears, sea monster scales and dinosaur poo!

Spring 2022

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Welcome aboard!

A new year means a new team of Gappers arriving to take up their important roles upstairs in the Dorms and around School helping in the classrooms and on the pitches.

The boys gave a warm welcome to: Miss Tabraham (Matrons IIs); Miss Crane (Matron IIs); Miss Panikian (Matron IIIs, returning); and Messrs Smith, Cunningham-Reid (returning), Weitemeyer and Meggitt.

A special thank you to ‘old hands’ Miss Panikian and Mr Cunningham-Reid who helped the new recruits to settle in quickly.

The latter delayed his travel plans for a few weeks just to help the smooth transition.

Goodbye and good luck At the end of the Easter term, we are sad to say goodbye to two members of the Ludgrove team - one from the Study and the other from the Common Room.

Ms Westmacott has been Mr Barber’s ‘right hand woman’ as his PA for the last 11 years.

She is leaving Berkshire to start an exciting new chapter in the depths of Dorset.

Mr Stockwell, Director of Music, is also leaving Wokingham for the countryside. He is moving with his expanding family (baby number two is on the way) to Lincolnshire.

Good bye and good luck to both families.

Diary note

New faces

It has come to our attention that Sunday 5th June is a National Day to celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with the idea of communities coming together to celebrate ‘The Big Jubilee Lunch’.

Wishing two new faces a warm welcome to Ludgrove School.

With this in mind, it has been decided to extend Half Term to 9.30am on Monday 6th June 2022.

In the Study, Mrs Lander is taking up the reins as the Headmaster’s PA, following a hand over from Ms Westmacott at the end of term. In the Exploration Centre, Mr Oldfield is helping Mrs Quinn run the Art department.

Spring 2022

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Friendly OL rivalry Jonty, Jack and Henry, OLs from 2020, met on the rugby pitch when Wellington played Radley in the semi-final of the U15 National Cup. Wellington won the match and went on to win the Cup, with Jack scoring a try at Twickenham. Lovely to see these young men remembering their prep school roots.

Finding old friends in unusual places Fancy seeing you here - Mr Wakefield, OL 2009, bumped into fellow Old Radleian and England Rugby player, Will Stuart, when he flew him back from France following the Six Nations match.

Nice to see you again!

It was lovely to see some OLs visit this term to enjoy a game of Fives with some young (and older!) players.

Left: Alexander and Ludovic, OLs from 2021.

Below: Jake and Max, OLs from 2017, taking on Mr Barber and Mr Smith-Bingham.

Fathers v staff in the Charlie Marshall trophy

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

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