Trip Down Memory Lane at 50-Year School Reunion in Woodbridge

80 former Woodbridge School pupils have stepped back in time for a special reunion at the school, after leaving more than 50 years ago. The alumni pupils, known as Old Woodbridgians, travelled far and wide to return to their secondary school for the memorable event, including 83-year-old Major Nigel Lewis OBE who arrived in style on a helicopter.

Many of the Old Woodbridgians were returning to Woodbridge School for the first time since leaving between the 1930s and 1970s. Jack Seagers, aged 101, was the oldest pupil at the reunion, having left the school in 1934.

The group enjoyed reminiscing of days gone by during a tour of the school’s new and original buildings and modern facilities, as well as marvelling at the modern ‘home comforts’ in the boarding house where many of the former pupils had lived over the years.

The Old Woodbridgians also enjoyed lunch at the school and a talk on the history of the school’s Combined Cadet Force, given by local cultural historian and former Woodbridge School English teacher, Mark Mitchels. The school’s chamber orchestra also played a special rendition of the original school song which the former pupils enjoyed singing along to.

Melanie Chew, development director at the Seckford Foundation, organised the reunion event for the Old Woodbridgians. Melanie said: “We were thrilled to have such a terrific response to this special event and we loved hearing the fond school memories of our alumni. The history of the school is so important to us, so it was fantastic to capture these memories and hear stories of our school from years gone by.”