The School is currently working on a number of exciting projects which will include:
- An enhanced Bursary Fund
- A new Music School
- Improved Sporting Facilities
New Music School Campaign the OI 125th Appeal and the Phoenix Fund
New Music School Campaign
The Headmaster, Nicholas Weaver, launched the new Music School Campaign on Friday, 29th June. Over 240 Parents, Old Ipswichians, Governors, Friends and Staff at the reception were given a glimpse of the talent throughout the School when the Prep Band played a rousing piece, followed by the Show Choir from the Senior School, who sang a beautiful and moving Negro Spiritual.
Prep Band Show Choir
The School is planning to build a state-of-the-art Music School to replace the current Music facilities which are pot bound. The new Music School will offer so much more by way of recording, rehearsal, teaching and performing space.
The Music School campaign has been tasked to raise £1.5m towards the cost of the new Music School. I am deeply indebted to all Parents, Old Ipswichians and Friends of the School who have already donated/pledged £750 000 towards the £1.5m for the Music School. There are a number of named opportunities for larger donations but ALL donations are gratefully received and have helped us pass the 50% mark.
We plan to start building in 2013 and open in 2014 but this very much depends on the success of the fundraising campaign and your support.
Click here to view the New Music School Bruchure
OI 125th Anniversary Appeal
I am hugely appreciative that the Old Ipswichian Club agreed to launch a 125th Anniversary Appeal to celebrate 125 years of Old Ipswichians maintaining the associations and traditions of Ipswich School and fostering good relations between the Club and the School, and among fellow Old Ipswichians.
(Below) James Davey Speaking at the Launch
(Above) James Davey, the Headmaster, Karl Daniels, Andrew Leach, OI Trevor Woods and Benjamin Grosvenor (seated)
The Club has very generously agreed to raise £1m over three years towards Music, Sport and Bursaries and hope that you will join them. Over £550 000 has already been donated or pledged by Old Ipswichians, which is a fantastic start but they need your help. There are named opportunities for larger donations but as James Davey, Chairman of the OI Club, writes, “If sufficient Old Ipswichians were to commit themselves to more modest donations, perhaps on a monthly basis over three years, I am sure we could reach our goal for the benefit of current and future pupils of our school.”
The Phoenix Fund
The Development Programme announced the launch of the new Phoenix Fund (formerly the Hardship Fund) in the December 2012 issue of the Development Update newsletter. The Headmaster, Nicholas Weaver explained why the Fund had been launched:
“I am so pleased to see the launch of the new Phoenix Fund, which we are setting up to provide assistance for those who, through a change in circumstance, find the future of their children’s education at Ipswich School in jeopardy. The naming of the fund is apt for many reasons – the Phoenix was often associated with Queen Elizabeth 1, who confirmed the school’s Royal Charter nearly 450 years ago. The Queen is portrayed wearing a phoenix jewel and contemporary verse alludes to ‘her phoenix motto of Semper Eadem’ – the motto which we now hold to be our own. Most importantly the phoenix also symbolises how, from the ashes of misfortune, we hope to help families to access what might have otherwise become unaffordable – the continuation of an Ipswich School education and all of the opportunities that this will bring.”
OIs Bob and Roger Porter (1953 – 1960) very generously agreed to launch the Phoenix Fund to help both current and future pupils, who like them, find themselves in circumstances that mean they cannot complete their education at Ipswich School at no fault to their own. Two other OI brothers have also supported the Phoenix Fund anonymously.
For further information on the above projects please contact Graham Papenfus, Development Director on 01473 298 964 or gnp@ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk