The Ludgrovian - Winter 2021

THE LUDGROVIAN WINTER 2021

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

Contents • • • • • • •

Michaelmas Term highlights The Nativity Independent school awards recognition Ludgrove School remembers the fallen A sparkling night School enrichment programme Say hello, wave good bye

Welcome from the Headmaster A warm and festive welcome to the latest edition of the Ludgrovian, I hope the following pages give you a flavour of Ludgrove life this term. We would need countless pages to showcase fully everything we have been up to however a big thank you

to Sarah Humphreys for pulling this snapshot together.

Every term we endeavour to create a healthy environment with a wonderful sense of community and I never cease to be proud of our boys

and staff, for their endless enthusiasm and ambition whether at school or online.

The opportunities on offer here are almost limitless with first class facilities in spectacular grounds however what lies at the heart of our happy school is cheerfulness.

The ability to look on the bright side of life and for the best in those around us, friendships are made for life and the unique Ludgrove spirit allows our boys to thrive in an atmosphere of high achievement, happiness, good manners and kindness.

From myself and all the team at Ludgrove, we wish you all a Happy Christmas!

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

Michaelmas Term Highlights The start of the academic year saw thirty-two new boys join Ludgrove in the VIs (Year 4) and eleven others throughout the rest of the School. With a packed programme of sports, curriculum and social activities in the calendar, the boys soon settled into ‘Ludgrove life’. Here is a taster of what they enjoyed this term.

End of term Prize Giving

The Magazine goes home

Winners of the Dribbling Competition

Taking part in the Wellington Prep School Orchestra Day

Nelson raises the Sets Race winners’ cup The Autumn Fair

Winners of the Poetry Recitation competition

Sunday Funday

Top Year Challenge Day

After an incredibly close final, Haig won the Sets Football

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

The U13 footballers reached the final of the IAPS U13 7-a-side competition

The Fives squad celebrates a successful afternoon at Eton

End of term Supper Night

The boys became the ISFA U11 7s regional champions Harvest donations to the Foodbank

Individual interview workshops

Hip hop poet, Karl Nova

The Bradfield College Prep School Science Challenge

Supporting children’s mental health struggles #helloyellow

A beautiful Carol Service took place in the Theatre

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

ity

v VIs Nati

The Nativity filled the School with Christmas cheer There’s no better way to finish the Michaelmas term than with the VIs’ performance of the Nativity, and this year’s production was a triumph.

The traditional story of the birth of Jesus was given a modern twist with references to travel restrictions and vaccine passports, much to the amusement of the VIs’ parents and the rest of the School.

Singing, dancing and enthusiastic acting culminated in a rousing chorus of ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’. Bravo boys!

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

Ludgrove is recognised in independent school awards “Absolutely charming, curious and courteous boys, who are confident in their own skin.” The Tatler Schools Guide included this glowing praise in its review of Ludgrove for the highly regarded 2022 Tatler School Guide.

We are proud to be included in the Guide again and to read their comments that the School is: “a truly happy school that parents and pupils cannot praise highly enough.”

Finalist of the ISOTY Awards Ludgrove was thrilled to be a finalist in the Small Independent School of the Year category in the Independent School of the Year Awards.

We are proud to have been recognised for the School’s commitment to provide our small ‘family’ with big opportunities and ambition.

Helen Wright, Chairman of the ISOTY, wrote: “Great schools believe in their students’ ability to grow and develop and become the best of themselves.

The UK’s independent schools are vibrant exciting places which, as the past year has demonstrated, are constantly evolving to respond to the needs of their individual students.”

In addition to this recognition, Mr Barber was also nominated in the Best Prep Head category of the Tatler School Awards. The shortlist was compiled by an expert panel and included public votes.

Howzat! Ludgrove makes the cut in prestigious guide

Ludgrove is delighted to have once again been included in The Cricketer’s Schools Guide 2022 as one of the Top 50 Junior & Prep schools in the UK. In addition to demonstrating a compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programmes and coaching, schools were also judged on how the game was kept alive during the pandemic and how they ensure cricket remains a central part of school life.

We are very proud that Ludgrove’s love of the game is recognised by such a prestigious publication.

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them

The School salutes OLs who gave their lives “Lest we forget” - the Ludgrove School community stood shoulder to shoulder to mark the Armistice two minute silence as we remembered the Old Ludgrovians who died in the First and Second World Wars.

During the moving Act of Remembrance, Headmaster Mr Barber read out the names of all OLs who gave their lives during the conflicts.

As the clock approached 11am, Benji and Billy played a haunting Last Post, followed by the two minute silence. To signify the end of reflection, they then broke the silence with a rousing Reveille.

Captain of School, Henry, read “In Flanders Fields” before Jack piped the procession party and the whole of the School from the Quad to the Chapel where his brother, and youngest boy in School, Henry, laid a wreath at the altar.

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

A sparkling event in the Ludgrove calendar The skies above Ludgrove exploded with every colour of the rainbow as the boys ‘oohed and aahed’ at the annual Bonfire Night extravaganza.

The morning after the night before... well done boys for clearing up the Golf Course after the Bonfire Night fun.

Fireworks and sparklers, followed by hot dogs and marshmallows, were enjoyed by boys and staff in front of an enormous roaring bonfire.

The smiles said it all - the boys’ faces beamed as brightly as the flaming bonfire and the sparklers they were holding! The Southern Hemisphere Gappers were also

particularly impressed with the display as they hadn’t attended a 5th November event before - Guy Fawkes isn’t big ‘down under’.

Without doubt it was the biggest display the School has ever seen. Thank you to the Estates Team for all its hard work.

What a shame it only happens once a year!

Bangers for Bonfire Night The highlight of Bonfire Night was both types of bangers - sausages and fireworks!

In preparation, the Catering team received an enormous delivery of the boys’ favourite sausages from the School’s local butchers, McLeish.

These were served up by the bonfire, followed by a generous helping of marshmallows.

The Estates team also stock piled bangers, and other fireworks, and built an enormous bonfire at the top of the Golf Course complete with a Guy on top.

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

A rich school experience A school life that is rich in experiences outside of the classroom and away from the sports pitches is something we pride ourselves on providing at Ludgrove.

Food Committee chews over new menu ideas A lively Food Committee met for the first time at the start of the academic year. Each Div is represented by a boy to find out how meals are planned, prepared and served.

In return, Mrs Barber and the Catering team are able to pick the committee’s brains for feedback and ideas. It is thanks to this exchange of information that the School is able to continue its exceptionally high standards of home cooked food.

From socials with other schools, and trips to museums and activity centres, to visiting artists, poets, and inspirational sermons from visiting senior schools’ headmasters, the boys benefit from fonts of knowledge outside of the School grounds. We even welcomed a boy’s father who delivered a fascinating lecture on falconry, complete with VIP guest, Sik the Goshawk!

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

A warm welcome to our new staff

In addition to the arrival of our new boys in September, the Common Room and Matrons’ Room gave a warm welcome to five new members of staff to the team.

Joining our excellent academic team this term are: Mr Jenkyn-Jones (Div Master VIJJ); Mr Smyth (Science); Mr Baldanzi (Div Master Div

III and Head of History); and Mrs Musson (Learning Support and cover teacher). Upstairs in the Dorms, Ms Cleaver has joined the Matrons and is taking care of the IVs. Thank you to the boys for helping them to quickly find their way around the School - the new staff have settled in quickly and have already made a great impact on Ludgrove life.

Welcome back Ma’am!

At the start of term, there was a familiar face waiting in the VIs area ready to welcome the new boys at the start of their journey at Ludgrove. Mrs McCraw was back behind her desk, having returned from maternity leave to take care of VIM. It’s good to have you back Ma’am.

Goodbye and good luck Farewell Gappers The end of the year signals the School waving goodbye to some of the wonderful Gappers who have enriched the lives of the boys this term. The best of luck to Mr Randall, Mr Gill and Miss Imi and we look forward to welcoming back Mr Cunningham-Reid and Miss Panikian in the New Year when they will be showing the ropes to a new set of Gappers.

We are sad to say goodbye to two stalwarts of the Ludgrove team: Mrs Baker (below) who has had a 16 year relationship with the School, the last nine as Head of Art; and Mrs Hooper (left), who has been a Matron for seven years. Good luck!

Winter 2021

ISSUE 8

OLs get together... finally After 18 months of forced inactivity with our Old Ludgrovian community, the easing of restrictions in the Autumn meant we were able to gather together OLs, both

senior and junior, for some of Ludgrove’s much-loved sporting events. It was heart warming to see familiar faces at these events and to meet new members.

OL Fathers v Staff Wiggin Cup A very competitive football match, with Mr Barber as referee, had the boys cheering from the sidelines.

After battling it out on a sunny Sunday, the staff clinched victory.

OL Sets Football After a two year break, 48 OLs dusted off their boots to play three-ball football, raising £1,250 for Place2Be along the way. Thanks Mr Fraser and Mr Corry-Reid for organising.

OL v Masters Football Thirty-six OLs from the Class of 2016 met their Masters on the pitch for an afternoon of football. The teams from Eton, Radley and a Barbarians squad, are great role models for the current boys.

Golfers tee off at annual meet Twelve Old Ludgrovian golfers enjoyed their annual meet on a sunny Sunday at The Berkshire Golf Course. Playing in four teams of three, Messrs Read, Kirkpatrick and Bullman emerged the eventual winners. We look forward to seeing everyone for the next event in April 2022.

Matron would be proud of Mr Wylie.

When he arrived to play in the OL Fathers v Staff Wiggin Cup he brought with him his prized possession - the Ludgrove USA Football Tour bag in mint condition from 1981.

Surely there must be a ‘show up’ (extra bar of Grub) for taking such good care of his belongings?

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

Join us on Instagram - Ludgrove_School Join us on Twitter - @Ludgrove