Sibford School

Much has happened since the School’s last report to the Sibford Scene, culminating perhaps in the Meeting for Worship held at the Gower Meeting House on Saturday 29th March. This was an occasion to remember. Current scholars, old scholars, current and former pupils, Staff and Governors, joined the act of Worship and thanksgiving after which a tree was planted in the grounds of the Meeting House to mark the occasion: the School’s 150th Anniversary.

During the term three major musical events made this a Spring of particular distinction.

On Saturday 7th March, Bernard D’Ascoli gave a brilliant recital on the school’s new Yamaha concert grand piano to a large and enthusiastic audience. A week later the pinao was in use again this time for the finals of the Banbury Young Musician of the Year competition, revived for the first time for many years and held-most successfully at the school under the auspices of the Banbury Rotary Club.

On the 4th April choirs from all the other seven Quaker Schools in England joined Sibford’s Choral Society for a magnificent performance of Handel’s Israel in Egypt in Coventry Cathedral which also formed a special event in our 150th Anniversary programme.

There was also an outstanding exhibition of work by Sixth Form A Level Art Students, held in March. Further work will be on a display as part of Oxfordshire Art week, in the Music School at the Manor, 16th—23rd May.

In many other areas too, pupils and staff have put in great energy and initiative. The Fielding Day Care Scheme, run for elderly people in the village by members of the Sixth Form has started and there have been a number of visits away from school by pupils including a memorable trip to the Black Country Museum. Orchard Close added to its vigorous programme a series of puppet shows for string, glove and shadow puppets with performances held not only in school but also in the Jack in the Box Nursery School.

The Junior and Senior Drama groups produced most impressive productions: Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations by the younger pupils, and extracts from five more weighty plays by the Fifth Form Drama set.

At our Sunday Evening Meetings, we have heard about the lives of Friends in Bolivia, and the accessibility of Art, on two recent Sundays and next term’s programme of speakers will continue to cover a particular range of important themes.

Next term promises to be, as usual, a very full one again with a number of summer sports events and our Open Day on July 4th.

We hope that on that occasion and on others too, friends from the village will come to the events whenever possible, and we will look forward to seeing you.