Inside Ibstock Issue 5 Spring

Inside Ibstock Ibstock Place Senior School Termly Newsletter I Spring 2024

Inside this issue:

What’s New 03 I Academic 04 I Ibstock Bookfest 2024 06 Expressive Arts 08 I Trips 10 I Sport 12 I Co-Curricular 14 Alumni and Careers 15 I Pastoral, Wellbeing, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 16 Community Partnerships 18 I FIPS 20

ISSUE 5

Inside Ibstock Headmaster’s Welcome

Inside Ibstock What’s New

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Welcome to 'Inside Ibstock'

Oxbridge Offers We are extremely proud of Sixth Formers Yeva, Elena and Olivia who were offered conditional places at Oxbridge. Head Girl Yeva received a conditional place at Jesus College, Oxford to read French and Italian, while Elena and Olivia both received conditional offers from the University College, and Human, Social, and Political Science (HSPS) at Christ's College, respectively. On receiving the wonderful news, all three expressed gratitude to the teachers who inspired their love of learning. Congratulations! of Cambridge to read Geography at Churchill

Indeed, as this latest issue attests, they have happened across the full panoply of our provision. Ibstock has never sought to specialise, nor to channel our pupils’ talents into one particular sphere. We are proudly generalist, because in “generalism”, our pupils discover real freedom. Our version of education - one which has now endured since 1894 - is an holistic one. It allows our young people to play to their unique strengths, wheresoever they might lie. So it is that in this issue, you will read of abundant sporting success, but so too high achievement in oracy, in STEM, in the expressive arts and a good deal more. In several areas, we have led the nation’s schools. In the year when we celebrate our 130th birthday, we could scarcely hope for a better present and we thank our pupils for all that they do. Their success drives the School forward and, based on this term’s endeavour, we have much to which we can look forward. Chris Wolsey, Headmaster Every so often, a term passes which is truly exceptional in its character. So has proven the Spring Term of 2024. In both scale and scope, our pupils’ achievements have been prodigious and we salute them.

Linguistically Speaking Our Modern Foreign Language pupils issued the first edition of their magazine, Linguistically Speaking. An entirely pupil-run initiative, the magazine was put together by pupils in their own time, from editorial meetings to discuss content to writing articles, proofing, and designing artwork and layout. For their first publication, they chose a theme which captures the importance of learning about culture and society: change. Click here to read the first edition of Linguistically Speaking.

Physics Safe Cracking Competition Congratulations to Sixth Form pupils Matthew, Finley, Lilian, Oliver and Catherine for producing the winning safe for the 2024 Physics Safe Cracking Competition. Under normal circumstances this would mean aweek’s all-expenses-paid trip to theWeizmann Institute of Science in Israel to represent the UK in the Global Safe Cracking Competition. Unfortunately, due to the situation in the Middle East, the next phase will now take place online. Ibstock was up against some very stiff competition and it was wonderful to hear the adjudicator announce: “And the winner is….. AWheely Quacking Safe”.

Ibstock Place School celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, having first opened its doors in 1894. Founded on the educational principles of Fredrich Froebel, which were considered radical for his day, emphasis on the learning experiences of young children and engendering free thinking are still central to our School ethos today. Save the date for the Ibstock 130 Festival on Saturday 22 June!

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Inside Ibstock Academic

Inside Ibstock Academic

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Othello Sixth Form English Literature pupils watched a thrilling production of Othello at the candlelit SamWanamaker Playhouse. The setting seamlessly transformed sixteenth-century Venice into contemporary London, featuring elements such as police walkie-talkies, computers, and even a Deliveroo driver.

Debating Round Up Olivia and Elena (Upper Sixth) ranked 4th in the Oxford Schools Debating Competition, a tournament that has over 1,000 teams worldwide in the preliminary rounds. Olivia also travelled to Prague with Team England and Head Coach Dr Hazell to take part in the European Schools Debating Championships. The team performed brilliantly, breaking first in the tournament and advancing to the semi-finals, where they narrowly missed out on victory in a close 3-2 split decision. Tallulah, Seb and Lorenza (Senior 11) won the London Final of the ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition, qualifying them for the National Grand Final held at the University of Cambridge in May -Ibstock's second appearance here in the last 3 years.

Chaucer Workshop A group of Senior 7 pupils enjoyed an interactive workshop on the Father of the English Literature, Geoffrey Chaucer. Led by Charles Farris of 'The Chaucer Heritage Trust,' pupils engaged in activities such as learning to pronounce Middle English words, translating The Prioress' Tale and listening to an entertaining retelling of The Franklin's Tale. They then created their own poems and stories inspired by Chaucer's tales.

S7 Trip to Shakespeare’s Globe Senior 7 pupils enjoyed a trip to Shakespeare’s Globe, where they were immersed in the sights, sounds and secrets of Shakespeare’s London, travelling through over 400 years of fascinating history. Fun costumes and props enhanced the experience and provided the perfect opportunity for pupils to get ready for the stage! Later, through a guided Shakespearean walking tour of the South Bank, they explored Elizabethan London, taking in key landmarks including the original Globe site, Bishop of Winchester's Palace, the Golden Hinde replica, the George Inn and Southwark Cathedral.

Hispanic Cooking Lower Sixth Spanish pupils cooked up a feast of Hispanic specialities. Carefully following recipes written in Spanish, they prepared and cooked a range of dishes including paella, croquettes, arepas, lomito saltado and tostones. Pupils enjoyed learning about Hispanic countries, culture and cuisine before coming together to savour some of the delicious dishes they had created. ¡Qué rico!

Maths Challenge A number of pupils in Senior 9 - 11 took part in this year’s UK Intermediate Maths Challenge, with Ibstock achieving no fewer than 13 gold, 24 silver and 64 bronze certificates! A special mention goes to Elyssa and Sophie (Senior 9), Dash, Gabriel and Matthew (Senior 10), Emre, Imogen and Noah (Senior 11), all of whom have qualified for the next round.

German and Spanish Translation Bee The Ballroomwas packed to the rafters in anticipation of the Senior 9 German and Spanish Translation Bee Final. Finalists won their class heats to make it to the final, where they had to translate as many sentences from English into the target language as possible in a minute (from 624 possible combinations!). The standardwas extremely high, but in the final reckoning, congratulations were awarded to Elyssa for winning the German competition and to Robert for his victory in Spanish. Many thanks to all of their peers for supporting their friends with such enthusiasm!

French Spelling Bee Senior 7 French pupils took part in the national Foreign Language Spelling Bee 2024. Well done to all the pupils but particularly to winners Victoria, Roxana and Lily who will represent Ibstock in the regional competition. They will be given double the number of words this time. May “la force” be with them!

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Inside Ibstock Ibstock Bookfest 2024

Inside Ibstock Ibstock Bookfest 2024

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Malcolm Duffy Our final Bookfest author event with former ad man turned YA writer and proud Geordie Malcolm Duffy, was attended by members of Inklings (our Creative Writing Club) and pupils from Senior 7 – 9 who wished to attend. Malcolm discussed his new book, titled Seven Million Sunflowers based on the real-life experience of a teenage Ukrainian refugee (his family has hosted a Ukrainian family for the past year).

To mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week, he also

Patrice Lawrence All Senior 8 and 9 pupils were treated to an entertaining lecture from YA heavyweight author, Patrice Lawrence. Patrice, who is of Italian and Trinidadian heritage, also spoke to pupils at the optional lunchtime Q&A and book-signing session hosted by ACAAS and Fem Soc. The event was hugely popular amongst pupils and every seat was taken!

World Book Day kick-started the Ibstock Bookfest 2024, a month-long celebration of reading and books. Pupils became doctors for the day, prescribing books in the library, and tried to crack The Case of the Cold Colonel. The Bookfest Daily Challenge helped pupils get ‘bookfit’ and ready for the Big House Read for Refugees this Easter. Thank you to our wonderful Librarian, Ms Cleaves, for organising such an amazing Bookfest! Click here to donate. Laura Bates We hosted Laura Bates BEM, the award-winning activist, writer, speaker, journalist and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, an ever-increasing collection of over 200,000 testimonies of gender inequality. Pupils from the Prep School all the way to Upper Sixth were deeply engaged in her talks

talked about his short filmMical, the true story of a mum's struggle to get support for her dyslexic son.

Eloise Smith Fencing Session Olympic fencer, Commonwealth fencing champion and children’s author, Eloise Smith ran a fantastic fencing session with some of our lucky Senior fencers, sharing her top tips and techniques.

regarding everyday sexism and there were some lively Q&A sessions to follow. During lunch, Fem Soc members, including friends and staff, attended a packed book signing and Naomi (Senior 10) presented Laura with a portrait she created for International Women’s Day.

Catherine Randall Local historian and member of CWISL (Children’s Writers and Illustrators for Stories and Literacy) Catherine Randall, visited Ibstock for a book talk and creative writing workshop. Our Ibstock teamwon her visit at the CWIZZ Reading Competition last year and our Inklings creative writing group, along with their friends and anyone who wanted to join, thoroughly enjoyed her visit.

Matt Dickinson Everest expert and writer in residence Matt Dickinson visited for the day to launch an extreme writing competition with our Senior 7s. Pupils were challenged with writing a letter about a disaster from base camp. The letters certainly highlighted some emerging talent in our youngest cohort! Matt stepped up to the difficult job of choosing a winner and we are delighted to announce that Daisy has won a book token.

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Inside Ibstock Expressive Arts

Inside Ibstock Expressive Arts

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Rock and Pop Concert Over 50 musicians from Senior 7 to Upper Sixth performed in the annual Rock and Pop Concert, a highlight in the Music Department’s calendar. From the first performance of the night, Percussion Ensemble’s spellbinding rendition of Smoke on theWater to the last, Upper Sixth Band’s uplifting set, the theatrewas buzzing! Special mentions go to Esme and Polly’s fabulous duet and to Alex’s intimate performance of Olivia Rodrigo’s 'Can't Catch Me Now' . Well done to everyonewhowas involved and thank you to Mr Ward, Mr Allport, Mr Lynch, Mr Langley and Mr Walker for all the efforts that made the concert such a success!

Spotlight on Art This term our Senior 8 and Senior 9 artists have been on a virtual journey around the world, discovering different cultures, traditions and cuisine. Mastering various ceramic techniques, Senior 8 pupils created realistic Japanese sushi, sashimi and nigiri. Senior 9 explored African, Mexican, Venetian, Japanese and Chinese masks, learning

House Drama This term's House Drama Competition was a storming success across the Houses. The Sixth Form teams skilfully led their casts and crew, culminating in a showcase of superb character acting and production creativity. Adjudicator, Mr James Wheildon, who has worked with young actors for the last 20 years and is an experienced Community Theatre Director, commented: 'There was not a single weak performance. I laughed throughout’. 'Best Play' and 'Overall Winner' went to Montefiore House with 'Rage to Riches'. Well done to all the winners and thank you to everyone involved for making it such an entertaining and enjoyable competition!

about Aztecs, the Day of the Dead, masked balls and many other traditions from these regions. The overall results were exquisite as each pupil expressed their individuality, mixing modern and traditional styles.

Schola Cantorum Evensong at Chichester Cathedral

Schola Cantorum delivered a superb performance at Chichester Cathedral, tackling demanding repertoire, including a psalmwith an impressive 50 verses — an outstanding achievement! This marks the first of three cathedral evensongs this year, with Southwark and St Paul's scheduled for April. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Classical Musician of the Year Pupils from Senior 7 to Upper Sixth competed in heats throughout the day for the title of Classical Musician of the Year 2024. After hearing each finalist perform, adjudicator James Day, extremely impressed with the high standards of musicianship, awarded the overall Junior (S7-S9) winner to Nina (viola), and the overall Senior (S10 - UVI) winner to Zephany (cello). Congratulations to all the participants for their dedication and hard work!

Liederabend The Music Department hosted a wonderful evening of songs from around the world in our annual Liederabend . All performers sang superbly, with notable highlights including Hayden’s rousing rendition of Il Poveretto by Guiseppe Verdi and a beautiful interpretation of Felix Mendelssohn’s Ich wollt, meine Lieb ergösse sich performed by Ariane and Esme.

Motionhouse Dance Workshop Dance pupils were treated to an exciting workshop delivered by Motionhouse, a dance company known for their distinctive, highly physical style which integrates elements of circus and acrobatics. Pupils had lots of fun trying out different movements and sequences in this energetic workshop.

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Inside Ibstock Trips

Inside Ibstock Trips

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Sixth Form Trip to Brussels On a trip to Brussels, Sixth Form French pupils enjoyed a guided tour of the Magritte Museum, which houses many artworks of the famous Belgian surrealist painter, and a visit to the Parlamentarium (a museum dedicated to the European Parliament), which included an insightful talk about the European Commission.

Sixth Form Trip to Barcelona Sixth Form pupils visited Barcelona to learn more about the city’s rich art history and practise their Spanish skills. They explored the Gothic Quarter and its architecture, visited the Picasso and MOCO museums, and perfected their pasos in a Flamenco dance performance.

An afternoon was spent walking around the magnificent Grand Place with its unique neo-gothic and baroque buildings, some of which are gilded with gold leaf, and exploring the picturesque streets of boutiques, chocolateries, cafés and restaurants around the îlot sacré (sacred islet).

Spanish Trip to Salamanca and Madrid

Senior 10 Spanish pupils enjoyed a week-long trip to sunny Salamanca and Madrid over Half Term. Immersing themselves in the local culture and language, they stayed with host families, took daily Spanish lessons, attended a cookery class and participated in a lively salsa dance workshop. They also found plenty of time to enjoy the sights, including the majestic cathedrals of Salamanca, a guided tour of Madrid and a visit to the renowned Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.

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Inside Ibstock Sport

Inside Ibstock Sport

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Staff vs Pupils Indoor Cricket Our inaugural ‘Ibstock Indoor Cricket Day’ saw staff and pupils playing head-to-head to raise funds for the Inspire Children and Youth Charity, in conjunction with the 2024 South African tour.

Cricket and Hockey Trip to South Africa Ibstock Cricket and Hockey pupils enjoyed an amazing trip to sunny South Africa over Half Term, playing sport, volunteering and taking in the sights and sounds of this beautiful country. Under the watchful eye of experienced coaches who have previously steered teams in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and the South African Cricket Team, pupils took part in a series of training sessions and matches against local schools in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. The boys’ Cricket series culminated in a draw, with Owen (Senior 11) as Batter of the Tour, and James (Senior 10) as Bowler of the Tour. The girls’ Hockey team secured a significant victory, having faced high performance teams, with Aisling (Senior 11) as Hockey Player of the Tour.

Inspireworkswith people living in rural areas to help improve numeracy, literacy skills and self-sufficiency, providing food, shelter, toilets, and a range of activities and projects to help restore human dignity on farms across South Africa.

U14A Rugby Boys win London Oratory Plate The U14As secured a Plate victory at the London Oratory School 7s following an impressive performance in the group matches, along with wins against QE Barnet, Isleworth and Syon.

Swim Wales National Championships Huge congratulations to Emilia (S9) who came 2nd in the 100m Breaststroke and finished 5th in the final 50m Breaststroke at the SwimWales National Championships. A fantastic achievement and we are very proud of you!

National Shield Finalists

U15 girls won a hard-fought National Shield semi-final against Forest School, Essex. After a very even first half, Ibstock went into the second half with confidence and dominated the majority of possession, maintaining composure for the final five minutes to see the game out. The girls now look forward to competing in the final which will take place at Hertfordshire FACounty Ground on 2 May.

Water Polo National Plate Final The U15 boys' Water Polo team had some great success at the U15 National Plate Semi-Finals, winning their matches against Bedford 6-0 and St Dunstans 5-0.

ISA National Netball Plate Finalists The U15 Netball Squad made it to the National Final of the Independent Schools Netball Plate, playing some exceptional netball against Colfes, Kings High School Warwick, The Maynard School Exeter and Royal Russell on their journey to this point. They travelled to Rugby School for the Final, where they fought hard against fierce opposition, coming away as Independent Schools Netball Plate Runners Up. A historic moment for Ibstock Netball, and a huge achievement for the squad to have reached the final of such a big competition.

Special mention goes to Daniel (goalkeeper) and Max (top goal scorer). Scoring 11 goals, while conceding 0, was a big confidence boost for the players. No current team member is in a club outside of School and the boys’ only training has been at Ibstock, so to qualify for the National Plate Final was an unbelievable achievement! They reached 3rd place in the Plate Finals Day.

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Inside Ibstock Co-Curricular

Inside Ibstock Alumni and Careers

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Where are they now?

Flo Lloyd-Hughes Journalist Graduated from Ibstock 2012

Careers Evening Ibstock’s annual Careers Evening was a huge success, providing every pupil from Senior 11 to Upper Sixth with a chance to engage with over 25 speakers representing diverse career paths. From CharityWork and FinTech to Visual Effects and Human Resources, the event catered to a wide array of interests. Thank you to all our visiting speakers, including ten accomplished alumni who continue to make remarkable contributions in their respective fields! After Ibstock, alumna Flo Lloyd-Hughes studied Sport and Recreation Management at Edinburgh University before studying in America for a year. She is an author, football commentator and journalist who writes and broadcasts all things football, specialising in the women’s game. She is a regular contributor on IanWright’s podcast, ‘Wrighty’s House’ and also has her own podcast, 'Counter Pressed'. Flo has recently become a trustee of a charity called The Huracan Foundation which uses football to help improve young people’s lives. Her book, ‘The Rise of the Lionesses: incredible moments fromwomen’s football’ came out last year, just in time for theWomen’s World Cup. Flo recently came to Ibstock to talk to Senior 8 and 10 pupils about her career.

Literary Baking Club Visit to Claridge's

Members of the Literary Baking Club went behind the scenes at Claridge’s Hotel, to learn more about the dedication and work that goes into providing a five-star service. Pupils visited the main and patisserie kitchens, the chef’s table, and even had a chat with Culinary Director, Simon Attridge who told them about his favourite dishes and the global influences behind his award-winning menus. Later in the tour, they were treated to a visit to the Ballroom and the Royal Suite, providing a fascinating glimpse into interior design and the hotel’s Art Deco history.

Try It Week Our popular Try It Week was back again this term, giving pupils an opportunity to try some new co-curricular clubs, explore their interests and develop their skills. With a wide range of activities on offer, fromLego, crochet and robotics to fencing and poker, there was something for everyone.

Turkish Day The Arabic Culture Club celebrated Turkish Day at Ibstock with presentations on the country's history, dance, and the significance of the 'evil eye', whilst enjoying a blend of classical and modern Turkish music.

Clothes Swap The Eco Society, in collaboration with FIPS, hosted Ibstock's second annual Clothes Swap. Pupils were encouraged to donate clean, unwanted clothes in exchange for tokens which they could later exchange for "new-to-them" clothing items. The event proved to be very popular, shedding light on the benefits of purchasing second-hand clothing, not only as a sustainable choice but also as an enjoyable experience. Many thanks to Mrs Kivinen and her team of FIPS supporters, Ms Rhodes, Mr Bartram and our dedicated EcoWarriors.

Alumnus Benjamin Westerby in Witness for the Prosecution Lower Sixth Dramatists attended the matinée

performance of 'Witness for the Prosecution', Agatha Christie's tense courtroom drama. Set in a disused Council Chamber in London's County Hall, it was a stunning production, skilfully directed by Lucy Bailey. Ibstock Alumnus BenjaminWesterby starred as Leonard Vole, and kindly gave his time after the performance to speak to the class and answer their questions.

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Inside Ibstock Pastoral, Wellbeing, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Inside Ibstock Pastoral, Wellbeing, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

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Staff vs Senior 11 and Sixth Form House Quiz The much-anticipated annual Staff vs Senior 11 and Sixth Form House Quiz saw staff and pupils battle it out over topics such as English Literature, History and Politics, Sports, Science, Geography and Pop Music. A highly competitive and enjoyable event, finishing with an excellent fish supper, the Findlay House teammembers were crowned the ultimate victors.

In addition to Laura Bates’ visit, we celebrated International Women's Day with school-wide displays featuring senior boys and male teachers with pledge cards as well as older ‘wonder women’ nominated by pupils and staff. At our IWD party pupils enjoyed a quiz, henna tattoos, cake and IWD giveaways. Many also wore custom badges designed by Chloe (S8) and Naomi (S10) featuring mathematician Katherine Johnson and writer and activist Laura Bates. Poet Laureate Emily (Lower Sixth) performed her new poem ‘Rooted Strength’. The celebrations continue weekly at Fem Soc.

Tutorial Day The first half of the Spring Term ended with our termly Tutorial Day. To complement our extensive PSHE Programme, we welcomed an array of inspiring speakers to deliver interactive workshops on topics such as healthy relationships, cancel culture and financial education. Pupils also enjoyed a range of exciting activities including skateboarding and Bollywood dancing.

Iftar Feast Pupils, staff, and their families came together for a multi-national Iftar Feast, in collaboration with FIPS. The evening included a delicious buffet of traditional Iftar dishes, great company and conversation, and everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you to FIPS and our catering team for a marvellous event.

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Inside Ibstock Community Partnerships

Inside Ibstock Community Partnerships

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Fashion Show Now in its second year, the Fashion Show is one of Ibstock's largest pupil-led initiatives, promoting creativity, teamwork and imagination. The theme of this year's showwas 'tributes to designers who have shaped the fashion industry into what it is today'. The Textiles Club kicked off the show with some unique pieces made from upcycled denim, giving old garments a new lease of life, before GCSE and Lower Sixth Art pupils explored Surrealism and Sensation with inventive, abstract garments. Highlights of the evening included special performances by singer-songwriter KATYA and our very own talented Lower Sixth pupil, Esme. Proceeds from the event were donated to The YungMash Collective, a free, peer-to-peer, global mentoring and empowering community for young adults based on cutting-edge neuroscience. Click here to find out more about The YungMash Collective.

Poetry Club at Grosse Way Sheltered Housing

As part of their Outreach programme, our Sixth Form volunteers have been reading, sharing and discussing a variety of poems with elderly residents at GrosseWay Sheltered Housing in a warm and cosy environment.

Period Power Day Period Power Day saw pupils wearing red and donating period products to raise awareness and encourage open discussions about periods. Senior 7 and 8 pupils listened to a presentation delivered by a group of Lower Sixth pupils and had themed lessons in English, Geography and Science where they discussed periods in literature, period poverty, misconceptions surrounding periods and period health. Pupils from all year groups were encouraged to donate period products for our donation drive for Rackets Cubed, who support over 250 families living locally in Roehampton.

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Inside Ibstock Families of Ibstock Place School

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Quiz Night The FIPS Quiz Night was a huge success, with lots of fun, laughter, delicious food and more than a little competitiveness. Thank you to the amazing team of volunteers and our catering teamwho made this event possible, and congratulations to the winners!

Interested in finding out more about FIPS? Whether it's attending events, volunteering or joining the committee, we welcome all enquiries at FIPS@ibstockplaceschool.co.uk

Ibstock Place School, Clarence Lane, Roehampton, London SW15 5PY Tel: 020 8876 9991 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Keep up-to-date with news from Ibstock @ibstocksenior @ibstockplaceschool @ibstocksenior

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