Ipswich High School – Christmas at IHS

By Miss Naomi Limer, Head of English

Christmas has always been a very special time of year for pupils of Ipswich High School to reflect upon and celebrate the achievements of the year, and to consider those less fortunate. From the early years of the 1870s, the school’s prize-giving ceremonies were held in an evening of celebrations at the end of the winter term. Musical and dramatic recitals were given by the girls and a speech by the Headmistress or members of the council was delivered to those gathered. Carol concerts, Christmas bazaars and parties were a frequent feature of the end of term events. Money raised through the Fund of Aid activities meant that parties were often held for the poorer children of Ipswich.

Pupils would visit local residential homes to give informal concerts to the elderly and infirm, an annual tradition that continued through the Westerfield Road years with trips to the Norwood residential home which was a short walk through Christchurch Park. For much of the first half of the 20th century, items produced such as knitting, needlework, art, photography and crafted gifts made by the decorative club were sold to raise funds for Christmas presents for children, either through local council-based schemes or direct donations made to Dr Barnardo’s children who were sponsored by the school. Pupils kept in regular contact with their sponsored children, as well as hosting parties for the young people of Ipswich children’s homes. Of course, the Junior House nativity play was always popular, and the attached excerpts from the school magazine are amusing reminders.