THE LUDGROVIAN SUMMER 2021
‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might’ Ecclesiastes IX v.10
Contents • • • • • • •
Summer Term highlights Bear Grylls opens the Exploration Centre Sports Day New Boys’ Day Top Year - “Why I Love Boarding” Leavers spread their wings OL dates for the diary
Welcome from the Headmaster It has been an extraordinary year during which we have faced the challenge of maintaining the happy rhythm of school life within the confines of Government Covid-19 guidance. I hope these pages give you a sense that Ludgrove has continued to thrive this term.
This year more than ever, we have been reminded that life is about relationships, looking out for and after one another, and our boarding ethos, with us all together, creates a safe environment with a wonderful sense of community. A huge thank you to the boys for their endless enthusiasm and ambition, to our parents and families for the steadfast support and of course to the Ludgrove staff who have been tremendous. The opportunities on offer here are almost limitless with first class facilities and spectacular grounds however what lies at the heart of our happy School is cheerfulness. The ability to look on the bright side of life
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and for the best in those around us. Friendships are made for life and the unique Ludgrove spirit allows boys to thrive in an atmosphere of high achievement, happiness, good manners and kindness. As we reflect over the Summer Term, we are hugely proud of all we have achieved including formally opening the Exploration Centre. Science, Art, Coding, Programming, Robotics, Pottery and Design and Technology are now all under one roof and we hope this new building and what goes on inside, will inspire generations of Ludgrovians. It has been a successful year and as ever we’ll aim to be even better next term - I hope you all enjoy a happy Summer holiday.
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Take a look at the Summer Highlights
With audiences allowed in School for events and home spectators back on the boundary line, it’s been a busy Summer Term for activities within Ludgrove and in the grounds. Here are a few highlights from the boys packed diaries.
Sunday evening story time with Mrs Barber for the VIs
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Lecture by General Sir Simon Mayall
The Prep Schools Golf Match at Radley
Winners (right) and runners up in the Mothers & Sons tennis
New boys’ boards Fathers v Staff cricket match
Sunday Funday fun! Recognition in the Townsend Warner History prize
Ice cream birthday cake
Athletics team off to an Athletics meet at Sunningdale
Whole School photo
IIs Geography trip
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Solo Singing competition winner (centre) and runners up
Tallest/smallest at Ludgrove
New boy phone calls
Summer Concert
Fifty four siblings celebrated National Brothers’ Day
The Senior and Junior Speeches competition Div 1 play
IVs outdoor Shakespearean plays
Fathers v Staff football
IIs ‘Play in 2 Days’ - Twelfth Night
Family golf competition
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“These three things are what really matter: have courage, be kind and have a ‘never give up’ attitude.” Bear Grylls OBE, 21st June 2021
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OL Bear Grylls cuts the ribbon to open the Exploration Centre Ludgrove School was delighted to welcome back Old Ludgrovian, Bear Grylls OBE, to officially open the £2.5M Exploration Centre on Monday 21st June. Before Mr Grylls did the honours to cut the blue and white ribbon, the whole School gathered in the Theatre to hear him speak about his journey, to answer the boys’ questions and to share the three things he believes really matter in life. “We are all explorers in life and will face difficult things,” he explained. “These three things are what really matter: have
courage, be kind and have a ‘never give up’ attitude.” Once the ribbon was cut, with help from Mr Barber, Mr Grylls toured the building to see the boys in action enjoying the state-of-the-art Science, Coding, Art, CDT and Ceramics facilities. What a day for the boys to remember!
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High Jump provides the day’s highlight Among the many wonderful sporting performances on Sports Day, one event stood head and shoulders above the rest. The excitement came courtesy of the High Jump B competition which saw a trio of IIIs battling it out for top spot. Once Xan had clinched victory, he not only broke the School record of 1.41m but then went on to set an even higher new record of 1.47m. The crowd went wild, as did the boys who he had competed against. Excellent support and sportsmanship all round.
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Ludgrove Sports Day is
Spectators are able to cheer on separate Junior and Senior ev The Ludgrove Sports Day had all the thrills, sportsmanship and outstanding performances that you’d expect from the Olympics. Luckily we had only had to wait two years for this rather than four! Split into morning (Juniors) and afternoon (Seniors) sessions to comply with strict Covid
guidelines, the boys threw themselves into the events with great gusto. Parents were allocated special coloured seating areas around the track for their son’s Div so that everyone could enjoy a safe vantage point from which to watch the proceedings. It was wonderful to see that so many spectators embraced the day that they even wore splashes of their Div’s colour to proudly show their support. Among many notable performances, the Senior Cricketers’ Race, requiring a
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s a winner!
n the boys in vents
‘Hawkeye’ photo finish, and the enthusiastic mayhem of the Juniors’ Sets’ Race were great crowd pleasers. In fact, maybe we should suggest these Ludgrove classics be included in the next Olympics. Many thanks to all the staff behind the scenes who ran an extremely tight ship on the day, and who made sure this important date in Ludgrove’s calendar went ahead, and well done to the boys!
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Sportsmanship is the overall winner at Sports Day events The School was incredibly proud of the boys at Sports Day, not only because of the sporting highlights but for their support of one another and great sportsmanship. They were courageous and kind and showed true Ludgrove grit, just like OL Bear Grylls told them to be at the Exploration Centre opening.
At the end of the day the Top Year had given their all!
“The best live sport in two years. Thank you all.” Ludgrove parent
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New boys get into the swing of ‘Ludgrove Life’
There were beaming smiles and high excitement all round at the New Boys’ Day - and that was from both boys AND parents! Split into small groups and accompanied by a member of staff, the boys enjoyed taster sessions of athletics - hurdles, long jump and high jump - and music, and were mesmerised by Mr Busfield’s high octane Science experiments. Time was also factored in for the groups to explore the grounds and enjoy the Monkey House while parents were able to get to know the teaching and pastoral staff. While the boys greatly enjoyed the exciting programme, the highlight was a visit to the dorms, expertly accompanied by the
‘shadow’ who will look after them in September and show them the ropes of Ludgrove Life. Rebecca Philpott, Registrar, said: “Following the past year of restrictions, for most of the boys it was their first opportunity to really explore the School. With glorious weather and a very happy atmosphere, the boys all got on brilliantly and looked very much at home, whilst many parents commented on what a relaxed and safe day it was.” By the end of the afternoon, the boys had settled in so well that it was difficult to tell the seasoned old hands from the new September 2021 cohort. There is no doubt that they will get straight into the swing of things in the new term which is testament to the success of the day.
Great job ‘shadows!’
Thank you to our crack team of ‘shadows’ for showing the new boys and their parents round and answering their questions. The boys did themselves and the School proud with how polite they were and their knowledge of Ludgrove.
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Behind the scenes...
As the Top Year Leavers prepared to say good bye to their prep school lives, they reflected on their time at Ludgrove and why they found boarding such a great experience. Here are some of their memories about their first days of School, what they have enjoyed and advice for anyone starting on this journey.
Leavers explain why they loved boarding at Ludgrove
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There are many activities and facilities here that you would not be able to access or experience anywhere else. For example, very few schools have squash and fives courts and their own forest.
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For me, one of the most enjoyable things has been the amount of free time one is offered which plays a fundamental part of a good life-work balance. It has also allowed me to develop the vital skill of making decisions: what to do when and who with. Thomas
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I joined in the IIIs (Year 6) and having left my family and gone to a different country boarding was quite hard for me but I soon got used to it and had the best time of my life. You’ll never be lonely while boarding here, there’s always people to talk to or to do things with. Boarding will help you prepare for your senior schools and the great life ahead of you. Owen
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because I enjoy boarding with your you are always having a friends. It is like a week. When sleepover 7 days sad there is you are feeling to talk to. always someone t someone You’ve always go e fortnight at by your side. Th very quickly school will pass ways be having because you’ll al h your time at fun. You’ll cheris e rest of your Ludgrove for th e most of the life, so make th Ludo next 5 years.
Alexander Boarding has been a very good experience. I joined in Year 7 (IIs) whereas most had already Look how far they’ve come... Top Year boys joining the VIs joined from Year 4 (VIs), and boys had already established ‘friend groups’, and yet I found it very easy to make friends. Going to boarding school, Ludgrove in particular, allows you to spend much more time with your friends than at a I love boarding at Ludgrove day school; you because it means I can be with my I felt at home from my first night when will spend every friends all the time, and not only nine the older boys comforted me and made me morning and till five. In the evenings, we have lots of feel much better. Mr P-H is a person I will evening with fun after tea, playing cricket and being remember forever and he has helped me them, as well outside. The best night is a Monday my entire Ludgrove career with whatever as every meal! night because we get to watch a film I need, it could be learning a rep with me or while drinking hot chocolate and eating keeping my mind off of home. Ollie Joseph marshmallows with Mrs P-H. Freddie Back
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Where they are going?: Eton 9 Radley 8 Marlborough 4 Harrow 3 Wellington 3 Charterhouse 2 Rugby 2 Sherborne 2 Tonbridge 2 Winchester 2 Sherborne 2 Bradfield 1 Cheltenham 1 Monkton Combe 1 Oundle 1 Stowe 1
Leavers enjoy their last term at Ludgrove
Congratulations on a 100% pass rate for CE!
Having spent their penultimate term at Ludgrove in lockdown, this year’s Leavers were raring to make the most of their final months at prep school - and they certainly made the most of every minute!
‘important things in life’ and enjoyed playing competitive cricket for the first time in two years and then off to Wales for their residential trip. Living under canvas for five days, the boys enjoyed a packed programme of kayaking, hiking, abseiling, coasteering and surfing... and lots of laughs and good times.
With scholarship and CE exams completed, the boys turned their attention to the
What a great way to bring five wonderful years at Ludgrove to a close!
Congratulations
Congratulations to two Top Year boys on their senior school awards. Jerry (above), a talented Grade 8 (Dist.) musician for piano and bassoon, has been awarded an Eton Music Exhibition.
ramme g o r P ’ s Leaver
Billy (below) has secured an Academic Scholarship to Tonbridge School.
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Mr Hands
Mr Browning-Bland
Farewell to staff who are spreading their wings The end of the Summer Term saw Ludgrove wave goodbye to its Top Year AND four members of staff who are off to pastures new. Whether they have been at the School for several years or have been on board for just the last year, they will all be missed by the boys and staff at Ludgrove.
Miss Barker
Mr Wardlaw
We wish the best of luck to Mr Browning-Bland (nine years as a Science teacher); Mr Hands (four years as Head of History); Mr Wardlaw (VIs Div Master) and Miss Barker (Music and Learning Support), who both joined us for a year.
Triple the fun with Ludgrove’s ‘newbies’ With less than six months between them, Ludgrove’s latest ‘joiners’ are a wonderful addition to the growing School family. First arrival of the year was Fergus in January, pictured centre with delighted mum Mrs McCraw, followed just two months later by Adeline, pictured right with proud dad Mr Turner. Last but by no means least, Harper, pictured with overjoyed dad Mr Plescia, joined the ranks in May and completed Ludgrove’s perfect trio. With this bouncing band of babies safely delivered it’s clear to see it’s going to be a triple helping of trouble once the trio are up and running!
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OL Diary Dates Thankfully, Ludgrove’s OL rearranged events are now ready to go in your diary!
Wise words stand the test of time
THE OL GOLF DAY WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2021 at The Berkshire Golf Club, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8AY. Timings and costs are to be confirmed. Please contact Gerald Barber (gwpb@btinternet.com) for further details or to book a place. These wise words from Alan Barber, Headmaster 1937-73, outlined to his children the simple rules by which he lived his life. The sentiments from Mr Barber’s grandfather are as pertinent today as they were over 50 years ago. Some things in Ludgrove life are timeless.
Ludgrove continues to help the local community As part of Ludgrove’s commitment to help the local community, the School has provided 1,500 face masks to each of the Friendship Alliance and The Citizens Advice Bureau. Thank you to the very generous parent who originally donated the masks to the School.
THE OL SETS FOOTBALL WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2021 at Burton Court, Royal Hospital Road, London. Kick off is at 12.30pm and there will be a get together afterwards. Please contact OLs Max Fraser (makfraser@googlemail. com) or Ed Correy Reid (edcorreyreid@ hotmail.com) for further details. THE OL ANNUAL DRINKS WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2021 at The Turf Club, 5 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AQ, 6-8.30pm. Information will be sent out in September. Please keep an eye on the Events page of the Old Ludgrovians section of the website for details of all OL events.
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