On a beautifully sunny Saturday in June, the School was once again host to the annual Diamond Lunch, reuniting those Old Ipswichians who left the School fifty years ago or more. Many small groups of former classmates could be seen chatting in the School grounds long before the official start of the event. Stories, old and new, were enthusiastically swapped, with plenty of laughter. Archivist Melissa Joralemon produced a fabulous display that helped to provoke conversation including photographs, documents and the wonderful new mannequins of Cardinal Wolsey as boy and man.

While many guests enjoyed catching up, others took up the opportunity to have a tour of the School, led by Bob Clayton. Various stopping points around the School generated much interest, with everyone agreeing that the facilities had evolved in a positive direction to give current pupils great opportunities to learn. The highlight of the tour for most was a visit to the new Music School building, generously supported by the OIs through the 125^th Appeal a few years back. This was the first time some had been in the building and it didn’t fail to impress.
 
For lunch the main dining room had been transformed by the School catering staff, and the meal was up to the usual very high standards we have come to enjoy from Lisa and her team.
 
After lunch, OI President Tim Passmore and Headmaster Nicholas Weaver spoke with humour, pride and passion. Tim talked about the importance of education and learning, and how schools such as Ipswich School play a vital role in providing opportunities not only to learn, but to be part of a strong community which endures - something which was clearly in evidence at the event. The Headmaster extended a warm welcome to all and brought the assembled guests up to date with news from the School. He also talked about the importance of the Bursary Fund, announcing that the first pupil to receive a full bursary generated by the School’s new endowment fund is due to start at the School in September.

It was a most enjoyable event, and we are already looking forward to next year’s!