We were delighted to welcome a plethora of new pupils and many familiar returning faces to Framlingham College for a brand new and exciting 2024/2025.
Accompanied by friends, parents, and family members, the new Year 9 and Year 12 pupils arrived at the college on Monday, 2nd September for a wonderful, warm and welcoming induction day.
The morning began with a friendly introduction in the Headmaster Porter Theatre, with an address by Principal Louise North, Senior Deputy Head Robert Hastings and Deputy Head, Sixth Form Katy Williams, followed by an afternoon of familiarization, tech set up sessions, and team building exercises.
Welcoming our new Year 12 pupils as they embark on the next step of their academic journeys, Louise North said: “This is a new beginning for you all as you embark on your Sixth Form career and dive into subjects and topics you relish the most. It’s also a massive opportunity to build friendships, make new ones, and embrace new opportunities.”
Ms. North then encouraged the pupils to think back to when they left Year 11 before the summer and compare the person then to the person they are today.
“As you head into Sixth Form, consider the type of person you want to be and what contribution you want to make your school, your peers, and your own life.” Ms. North said. “You can be a powerful force for good in the Senior School, both as an individual and as a year group. I encourage you all to seize the moment and take every opportunity. You all may have very different hopes and dreams, but you are all future leaders who can make a difference – from CEOs to musicians, lawyers to medics, actors to teachers. Good luck to you all; be courageous, be brave, take opportunities and don’t waste a second.”
Deputy Head, Sixth Form, Katy Williams, welcomed the 47 new Year 12s with an inspiring speech linked to the recent Paris Olympic games; “It is fantastic to see a full theatre of new Sixth Formers. This is the beginning of your new adult life, to make your own decisions, have more control over your choices, and seize the day. You are the masters and mistresses of your own stories, and although it’s important to look back and acknowledge, now is your chance to action the differences you want to make.
“Like the athletes during the Olympics, it’s the individual journeys, the early mornings, the moments of doubt, and the story of perseverance that are more impactful than the results or the medal. Success isn’t a single shining moment at the end;, your true success will be found in your everyday decisions, the friendships you build, the obstacles you overcome, and the person you become along the way. Look after each other, and cheer each other on – , you will be your greatest allies, and your only competition is the version of yourself from yesterday.”
After the welcome, the pupils made their way to the Sixth Form Centre where, with our IT Support Team, ensured they were all set up with their laptops and school accounts, ready to jump straight into the start of term as lessons began on Tuesday, 3rd September with a brand-new two-week timetable.
Whilst pupils continued with their induction, parents and family members, headed to the Fowler Pavilion for an informative coffee morning, where they were able to spark conversations, and gain vital insight into key school policies; such as uniform, timetable, house events, support, wellbeing, school trips, and pupils’ future pathways.
As the new Year 12s became better acquainted with the College campus, the boarding Houses and study spaces, our new Year 9s took to The Back for an afternoon of team building courses with Wise Up – the UK’s leading provider of school outreach activities.
In groups of 7 to 10, the Year 9 pupils had to work together to complete a series of challenges. From bridge building, shape stacking and team balancing, those who finished all the challenges in the quickest time where crowned the winners.
During our first Senior School Chapel service of 2024/25, our Chaplin, Rev Canon Brynn Bayman, welcomed all new and returning pupils to the College with an inspiring sermon and introduced our new Heads of School for 2024/25: Head Boy Archie M, and Head Girl Katie H, alongside the Heads of Houses and new College Prefects. The service ended with a powerful rendition of “Jerusalem”, which echoed through the corridors of the College from the heart of the Chapel, signifying the start of a strong and inspiring new academic year.
At the Prep School, our new pupils were treated to a wonderful afternoon tea party, where they had the opportunity to meet their new teachers and explore the stunning grounds of Brandeston Hall a day before the rest of our returning pupils.
On Tuesday, 3rd September, the whole school was welcomed back by our new Prep School Head Boy, Henry B, and Head Girl, Florence M, and our new Head of the Prep School, Simon Roche.
“I was delighted to welcome all our new and returning pupils back to Framlingham College Prep as we embrace the adventure of a new and exciting academic year together.” says Mr Roche.
“Today was a new beginning for so many of us, including me as the new Headmaster at Framlingham College Prep School.
“Today, in our first assembly, I shared some of my own story of preparing for a challenge when I took on the 252 km Marathon Des Sables across the Sahara Desert. Toby from Year 7 and Max from Year 3 carried the actual bag I took with me for seven days in the desert as a metaphor for packing for success. We then discussed getting our mindset right for the start line: determination, motivation, excitement, making friends, and staying positive.
“Thank you to our new Heads of School – Henry B and Florence M – who gave a brilliant welcome back to the school.
“I wish all our pupils the very best of luck as we make a start, and I compel you all to keep focused on the next checkpoint, and embrace the way ahead with energy, ambition, and optimism.”
