Student Heads of School and Boarding 2023/24

Offering support and guidance as well as setting an example to every student in School, our Heads of School and Heads of Boarding are an important part of our community and a vital part of the relationship between the School and the students.

Appointed in the Trinity Term, ahead of beginning their role officially in the new academic year, they are appointed by their peers and teachers, their selection demonstrating their ability to deliver the many aspects of their roles, and the faith their School community has in them. The welfare of each and every students is paramount, and these Year 13 students form part of a very wide umbrella of care and support and are people who are particularly perceptive in spotting difficulties as they begin to arise. From minor academic worries, to issues with confidence or image, as well as major life events that are affecting how they feel and behave, Heads of School and of Boarding provide support, reassurance and encouragement.

Here they all share their experiences, challenges and thoughts about their roles, responsibilities and experiences of life at Woodbridge School.

Heads of Boarding – James and Polina

Alongside the difficulties and situations day students may encounter, we recognise that our boarders are spending an extended period of time away from their home, family and friends. The appointment of Heads of Boarding is a reflection of this acknowledgement, and as fellow boarders themselves they can relate and share coping mechanisms, support available and strategies to overcome with their fellow house mates. Being a boarder at Woodbridge School is very much like being part of an extended family; students experience all the support and care that this implies.

James, Head of Boarding 23/24

Year 13’s James is Head of Boarding and a UK boarder who has been at School House since 2021. Studying DT, Maths and Physics A levels, having taken Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, English Literature, English Language, Latin, Spanish, Art and History GCSEs, James plans to take a gap year after his A levels; exploring the Southern Hemisphere before continuing to study Architecture at University in 2025.

James shared his thoughts on life as a boarder at Woodbridge School.

“I’ve loved boarding at Woodbridge School, for so many reasons. I’ll be sad to leave the School and the boarding house, mainly because boarding has provided me with many opportunities and benefits. From living among other students, older and younger – all of which helped me at different times in different ways, to helping me to settle in when I first arrived, supporting me throughout and helping me in so many ways while taking my GCSEs and A levels.

When I first arrived, I had two German roommates, neither of whom had ever seen a rugby ball before, let alone played the game. We were all excited to learn to play, and every day during the Spring and Summer months, we’d head out to the rugby pitches together and practice for a few hours, we all learned new skills – and we had great fun! I often think how lucky I am to have had that experience, and I’m fully aware that I probably wouldn’t have had it had I not been a boarder – it’s one of my fondest memories.

My favourite part has been the independence I’ve developed. As you progress through the School years, you are given different privileges and freedom, by the time you reach Sixth Form a system of trust is in place, you’re treated like a young adult living in a home.

Mr and Mrs Pineo, who manage the boarding house and live there too, regularly give up their time to help and care for everyone in the house. Although I only lived a short distance away before I started boarding, I’ve been given far more freedom and opportunities to explore my interests than I ever thought or imagined.

As there would be at home, there are challenges living at School and many issues I feel I would have faced and felt living at home with my own family. When staying away from home for extended periods it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter homesickness. But the house works so well; its supportive environment means I felt comfortable talking to someone, a teacher or a friend, about how I was feeling, and they helped and supported me through those feelings – just like a family would. It’s those people that I’ll miss the most when I leave, not just the students but the teachers, they’ve all been so important to me.

Boarding is a great opportunity to develop your confidence and build lasting friendships with people from all across the world. I fully intend to have a reunion with my German roommates from Year 11 and to go together to Oktoberfest! I know we’ll be as close as we used to be and I can’t wait to see them.

If you’re considering boarding at Woodbridge School, I would say definitely give it a try! You might feel nervous and anxious about leaving your home and coming to stay in School, but you needn’t be. I worried about fitting in, it’s completely natural, but after a trial week I loved it and officially joined the house; everyone was supportive and welcoming, they understood exactly how I felt as they’d all been in the same situations – everyone is there for each other. Boarding has been a decision I’ve never regretted.”

Polina, Head of Boarding 23/24

Talking to Year 13’s Polina, one of our Heads of Boarding at Woodbridge School, ahead of her A level exams in Economics, Maths and Sociology, it’s clear that friendships and relationships made while boarding will stay with her forever. Having studied Maths, English Literature, English Language, Combined Science, Drama, Design, Business and Computer Science at GCSE, Polina, who is from Ukraine, plans to go to King’s College London to study Economics.

“For the past four years I’ve boarded at Woodbridge School – and I’ve enjoyed every moment! The boarding house is just like a family house, everyone takes care of one another, looks out for each other and supports one another through everyday life. I think the memories made will be with me for the rest of my life, as will the friendships.

I think if you talk to anyone who stays here, the one thing that stands out for them the most is the amazing food! I’ve never felt hungry, there’s always so much choice, we eat together like a family, there’s a range of choices at every meal – it’s absolutely brilliant.

As you can probably imagine, there are students from different backgrounds and cultures in the boarding house, which can be interesting and challenging in the best possible way. Learning to appreciate one another’s beliefs, interests and culture is an invaluable part of the experience of boarding, and one which I feel will most definitely benefit us all throughout our lives. These skills, the consideration and the respect we feel and show for one another is an important part of boarding life.

This is echoed through the support that the staff and students provide for one another; it’s inevitable that there will be ups and downs in everyday life, but no matter what the problem might be, the concern or worry you might have, everyone does their absolute best to do all they can to help at any time. You’re never alone – unless you want to be and there’s plenty of privacy too – but someone is always there if you need them.

Trips at weekends and in the holidays are some of my favourite memories of being a boarder; when the whole house comes together we always have an amazing time – it’s always so much fun. Not only do you get to experience different activities, see different parts of the area and country, you make friends with everyone in the house, learn more about them and yourself through these experiences, they’re an integral part of School life for me – and everyone else.

I’ll miss everyone when I leave Woodbridge School, but especially my fellow boarders, past and present, I’ve always stayed in touch with everyone that I’ve met and I know that will never change.”

Heads of School – Isla and Ollie

Isla, Head Girl 23/24

Our Heads of School for the academic year 23/24, Isla and Ollie, have spent their entire primary and senior School education together, having joined in Reception at Woodbridge School Prep over 14 years ago. They both reflect on their appointment and share their speeches which they were both invited to make at our end of School year Speech Day.

“When I became Head Girl, more than anything I wanted to leave a positive impression and mark upon the School and our students, doing my very best to enact positive changes and trying new things. Becoming Head of School was an opportunity to give something back to a community which I myself have gained so much from.

As a young person in School I remember the importance and impact of the role models I saw every day; looking up to students as well as teachers, they motivated and encouraged me significantly, particularly during my early years in Senior School. As Head Girl I’ve encouraged students from every year to approach me/us and worked hard to make them feel they are listened while providing support.

So many of my interests and the things that define me as a person have stemmed from the encouragement I’ve received, and my biggest hope was to create that confidence in others, to assist with them fulfilling their potential throughout School and beyond.”

Speech Day 2024, Isla, Head Girl 23/24

“Like Oliver, I have been at Woodbridge for over 14 years.

This is the last formal action I will ever undertake as a student, and I hope you’ll forgive me that I’ve gone rather personal.

I, like many people, am a chronic overthinker. At times, this has affected my ability to work, to sleep, and my relationships with my friends.

But this is a School that understands that in every weakness there is a strength. An understanding that moves beyond the cheap soundbite and underpins the respect and empathy that every member of our community has for one another.

For me, what at face value was a weakness, lent itself well to my subjects. I am one of those frustrating people who overanalyses a sentence until it seems like a deep metaphysical examination of human existence.

With the guidance of astute teaching, what seemed like a weakness was used to shape my love of subjects like English where overthinking is encouraged.

At Woodbridge, there is a strength in every weakness.

I have learnt not to put myself in a box – or at least not to close the lid.

The School doesn’t do labels. I like to think Ollie and I are walking examples of this.

At nursery I was told I should probably stay down a year as I preferred telling people what to do than making friends. Furthermore, even a few years ago the idea of speaking in front of so many people would have made me want to shrivel up. If I am honest not much has changed.

Meanwhile, until he reached mid-adolescence, Ollie was renowned for goblin like behaviour.

Ollie has already spoken of our mutual dislike in those early years. It wasn’t entirely unjustified – on both sides. Yet, now we have the deepest respect for each other.

Each of us is different. The School recognises it, encourages it, and celebrates it.

On behalf of every student here, I want to say a big thank you to the parents, grandparents, and guardians who make sacrifices to send their children to Woodbridge School. I hope that today is a reassurance of your profound investment of love, of time, and indeed of finance. Thank you, from us all.

Lastly, I have been lucky to have been party to many aspects of the School. Having teachers for parents and having been here for such a long time, it’s been such a huge part of my identity.

This is a School where the effort of every adult is so important. It’s crucial to recognise the immense contribution and care for students by the caterers, the cleaners, the groundsmen, the secretarial and admin staff. Thank you.

But, my friends have been my cornerstones of being at Woodbridge. I look at and listen to someone like our wonderful speaker Coco Newton. The faces that I see every day in the common room will, too, move on to do such diverse and inspirational things.

To my fellow leavers, there is a whole stretch of life in front of us. It is terrifying. I have no idea where we will all end up in one, two, or five decades. I hope that so many of the people I have met here will still be in my life.

To you in the younger years: cherish the people around you.

I said I wanted this to be personal. Music has for me been so central to my life here.

So, may I leave you with wise words from Billy Joel’s masterpiece, ‘Vienna’: “Slow down, you’re doing fine. You can’t be everything you wanna be before your time.”

Thank you very much.”

Ollie, Head Boy, 23/24

“Being chosen as Head of School meant an incredible amount to me; having spent the last 14 years of my life at the School I feel completely connected, not only as an academic but as a member of our community, and I was honoured to have been given the chance to fulfil this position, having watched a great many students do so well before me.

From assisting with the acclimatisation and development of the youngest students in Senior School to visiting tutor groups for all Year groups to ensure visibility and approachability in School, my overall aim was to compliment the assistance and support already provided by our wonderful teachers and other members of staff, providing a listening ear, guidance and support wherever it’s needed. I placed an emphasis on the core School values, on tolerance and respect towards one another, without which it is almost impossible to encourage personal and collective growth.

I very much saw this as an opportunity to continue to encourage and cultivate an environment in which students feel confident in their abilities, where they have someone to talk to about their problems, and where they can achieve their fullest academic potential while also indulging in their other interests, something that I believe really underpins what Woodbridge School is all about.”

Speech Day 2024, Ollie, Head Boy 23/24

At the time of going live, we await information from our Head Boy 23/24.

L-R – Shona Norman – Head, Woodbridge School, Dr. Coco Newton – Guest Speaker (OW), Isla – Head Girl, Ollie – Head Boy