Sophie will be sadly missed by her family, friends and work colleagues at School and at Ipswich Borough Council, where she served for many years as a local Councillor.

We are conscious that some people associated with the School may not be in contact with us and we would ask if you could pass on this information to those that you know.

As is the usual practice, we would like to place an obituary for Sophie in the 2023-24 OI Journal and would be very grateful for any stories or memories you may wish to share which we could put together for the publication. Please address any contributions to me through oldipswichians@ipswich.school

Nick Weaver

Headmaster

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I was a student at Ipswich School from 2015 to 2022. I studied French at GCSE and then continued it at A-level where I was then persuaded and inspired, through several channels, to continue my passion of French at university.

During GCSEs, before the COVID lockdown, Madame Meudec came to our classroom on a weekly basis to help us practice our French speaking skills. She made what could’ve been an incredibly nerve-racking and awkward experience fun and exciting!

When I entered Sixth Form I remember being unbelievably nervous as I made my way up the stairs to Madame Meudec’s office for my first ever one on one speaking lesson which I knew would have to continue for the next two years. I vividly remember taking deep breaths before entering what I thought could be the dragon’s den! I was instead welcomed by the warm and vivacious Madame Meudec who instantly put me at ease and made the hour long session fly by! Every week after that was filled with laughter and joy, I couldn’t wait to see her each week and would always be intrigued by what we would talk about. When it got closer and closer to A-levels, I became concerned about my grammar skills and Madame Meudec kindly set aside her own time to have extra sessions with me where I massively improved my French.

During my actual A-level Oral exam Madame Meudec made me feel as if it was just another one of our weekly chats where her smile made my worries disappear! When receiving my mark on A-level results day I was informed that I had achieved full marks in the oral exam which I knew was, in fact, mostly down to the hardwork and dedication of Madame Meudec who inspired me to reach my full potential. I never got the opportunity to thank her in person for her commitment to the students at Ipswich School and how she genuinely changed my life. I am now in my second year at the University of Bristol studying French and International Business Management and I am about to embark on my year abroad in France next year; I can only hope  that all the new French people I meet will be even slightly as patient and kind as Madame Meudec was to me throughout my school years.

Olivia Macdonnell-Hannah (OI 2015-22)