Where in the World is Ridley College?: Dallas Edition

The Ridley robotics team has safely made its way to Dallas for the robotics VEX World Championship. Our trip down was eventful - we made special crates for our machines and when we arrived in Dallas, our machines were not in the luggage! After waiting for a second plane arriving later, we FINALLY got our machines.

Our first day of competition was today, and even though our machines had passed size inspections at previous contests, all 3 machines failed the stringent sizing requirements in Dallas. After grinding and refitting, we got all machines to pass inspection and then went out and competed in our first matches of the tournament. There are 400 machines at the competition, many of which are amazing, but we eked out wins in all of our matches (one by only 2 points: 52-50).

Tomorrow the contest really gets going with 6 more matches and stiffer challenges. This 12 hour day was exhausting but tomorrow is the real test. Team 1509, Ridley Rmageddon, did great today and hopefully we will continue our excellent play tomorrow!

(Update provided by Coach Rodney Reimer)

Public Speaking Contest

Congratulations to the students who participated in the public speaking contest! I was very impressed by all the participants. It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of an audience and put yourself out there. As for the hardware, Maddie H. took home the Family Guild Trophy (Junior Division), Joy C. received the Judge Kingstone Trophy (Senior Runner Up) and Dan R. was awarded the W.H. Merritt Trophy (Senior Winner) as well as the English Department Prize for Dramatic Monologue.

Have a look at the videos from the event:

Dramatic Monologues- some of these performances gave me chills...others made me laugh..they were all entertaining:

Senior Competition:

Junior Competition:

Where in the World is Ridley College?: London Edition

Sadly our trip has come to an end. We have spent our last few days seeing the sights of London and of course doing a little shopping …some more than others – Colin practically bought out Primark. Last night we had a final dinner with the whole group at Zizi’s – an Italian restaurant (how appropriate since the play is Italian). We then went for some ice cream! Today we made our way to Shakespeare’s Globe theatre where we had a tour and a drama workshop. What better place to have a drama workshop! As I sit in the airport I see a lot of sad faces because our trip has come to an end, but we will always have the memories “….when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...that's AMORE...” Congratulations to the casts of the Servant of Two Masters on an incredible drama tour!

Where in the World is Ridley College?: London Edition

Last night we had our largest audience of the UK tour so far! Many family members, friends and OR's came out to watch our performance which made it a very exciting and special night for the cast. The audience was very receptive and the cast was able to interact with them and use their improv skills. Today we went to Warwick Castle where we met with court jesters, lords and ladies. This afternoon was performance number four. Tomorrow the tour continues on to Oakham for our final performance.

Where in the World is Ridley College?: London Edition

Oxford was beautiful and relaxing, but the tour must continue so on to Warwick for performance number three. I had a moment while on the bus yesterday on the way to Oxford where I kind of felt like I was a part of a British rock band. Every couple of days we load up our tour bus with our luggage, costumes and set. We travel through the English countryside and arrive in a new location every so often ready to perform. I think at the end of this performance we should shout out “WE LOVE YOU WARWICK- YOU HAVE BEEN GREAT!” (in our newly acquired English accents of course) Anyway, we are looking forward to tonight. As a warm up, this afternoon we participated in a drama workshop with students from Warwick school, it was interesting to see the different improv activities and work with drama students from England. We will have many special guests in attendance tonight including Ridley’s former headmaster Rupert Lane and his wife Judy.

Where in the World is Ridley College?: London Edition

It's day four of the Ridley UK drama tour. Yesterday we went to Hampton Court, Henry the VIII's old stomping grounds. Then it was on to Wellington College where we performed in front of an intimate crowd. The theatre was being occupied by another performance, so our crew performed in a room instead of the theatre. It was a great opportunity to interact with the crowd and both the actors and audience really enjoyed this experience. We were happy to have former Ridley chaplain Tim Novice, his wife Catherine and their three children at the show as well as two former Junior Masters. Today we moved on to Oxford. Oxford has some Ridley history. .in fact there is a stone still present in the area that marks Bishop Ridley's martyrdom site--a must see for any Ridlean who visits Oxford. Tomorrow we are heading to Warwick for two shows.

Where in the World is Ridley College?: London Edition

The casts of the ‘Servant of Two Masters’ have just touched down in London town!!

After spending a delightful evening with our new English families (billet families) eating some crisps, riding the tube and watching some telly, we’re ready to make our London theatre debut. Our first performance is at Latymer day school in the heart of London, England. Perhaps Hugh Grant or Alan Rickman will be in the audience (both are alumni of Latymer). We are very excited to have some OR’s attending tonight’s performance and meeting up with us after for a reception. Off to Wellington College tomorrow for performance number two! Keep watching the blog for updates on our theatre tour of England!

Campus Watch - Broadway to Ridley College in a New York Minute

The Ross Morrow Theatre was the scene for a unique way of teaching on Thursday, as twenty Grade 11 drama students sat in front of a video screen and participated in a dialogue with teaching artist Judy Trate in New York City.

TheatreLink is an international web-based playwriting programme in its second year at Ridley. Our students are linked with fourteen other geographically diverse communities from across the United States and Greece. Sponsored by The Manhattan Theatre Club , each school collaborates on a playwriting/production project via the Internet. Using distance-learning technologies, students confer with MTC teaching artists, study the MTC play, and communicate with their partner schools. The work culminates in a live presentation of the plays for the partner schools in the spring via video conferencing technology.

Campus watch: 1st Girls Hockey and Boys Basketball

Despite the snow, it's a hot weekend on campus for 1st Girls Hockey and the Boys Basketball teams! The girls are hosting the NAPHA Hockey tournament to get things going in the new rink while the boys basketball teams are playing host to the Dorland Classic! GO BLACKS! GO BLACKS! GO BLACKS! GO!!

Michaelmas Term in Review: Fall Break in NYC!!

Every month or so, the Ridley campus closes down for a short break. Check out this blurb from Mr. Martinez recapping a trip to New York City!!

A great group of students travelled to NYC this November break. The students truly embodied our school values and spirit in the big apple. The trip was enjoyed by all and students enjoyed such sites as Times Square, walking across the Brooklyn bridge, the United Nations building, Pier 17, Wall St, Central Park, shopping on fifth avenue, and SOHO. Ms. Whitty and Mr. Martinez would like to thank all the students who truly made the trip an enjoyable and memorable experience. Furthermore, a big thank you to Mrs. Whitty and all those who made the trip a reality.

Go Tigers!