During our end of term assembly, sports updates were shared from sports such as boys' hockey, girls' netball, cross country, basketball, sailing and climbing.
Read the sports reports below:
Boys’ Hockey Report, Oliver C
This term the boys’ hockey teams have played over 100 games, and while the number of wins may not be in our favour, the resilience and determination of our players has never faltered. Nearly 200 of our boys have been dedicated to the hockey teams and have put in the hard work on the training pitch to improve their skills and tactical knowledge. Even when the results were not going our way, boys such as Oliver G, Jake G, and Charlie J in the U14s always put in 100% effort. Ben W and Oscar F in the juniors were always learning and improving each week. Mackenzie P, Femi S-A and Hugo W have stepped up into the U16 team in the county and regional tournaments.
In the seniors, the team of the season goes to the 2nd XI, who won 4 of their 8 matches. Key performances from Ed K and Rufus M to secure the wins. In the 1st XI, Muiris C-T and Captain Oliver C never stopped encouraging and pushing the team to compete. A particular well done to the U12 and U16 boys' teams who represented Suffolk in the East finals.
The house hockey tournaments have been highly competitive.
The winners are
Year 9 – Cornwallis
Year 10 – Drake
Seniors – Drake
I hope that your passion for hockey will continue to build on this year and strive to be the best you can be. Thank you to all the coaching staff who have worked to support and guide the hockey teams through this term.
Hockey colours are awarded as follows: Hugo W & Mackenzie P are both awarded junior bronze sports colours; Max A, Noah A and Cameron P are awarded senior bronze sports colours; and Jamie M is awarded senior silver sports colours.
Girls' Netball Report, Rosie C
With 130 fixtures played and 170 pupils representing RHS in competitive matches, the 2023 netball term has been a triumph. Through dedication to training and intensity on court, the seniors secured winning results over the likes of Bishop’s Stortford, Framlingham and Gresham’s. A particular highlight would be the 1st team victory over Felsted School, where exceptional turnovers from Rosie C and clinical shooting from Nikaiyah F allowed the girls to come back from 6 goals down, to win 36-35.
The U15As started to find their form this year, with stand-out performances from Libby M-W in the mid-court and Martha H in defence. The U15C team finish this term as the most successful team in the school, winning 8 out of 10 games. A special mention to Deola K for bringing energy to the court and consistently producing high shooting stats.
The U14s have faced tough opposition, but demonstrated resilience throughout. The U14Bs were the most accomplished team in their year group, which is testament to their work ethic in training and unwavering team spirit.
The junior teams have also seen a high level of success this year, particularly the 12As. Florence A led her team to a 75% win rate and was outstanding throughout. Their enthusiasm to learn and unity as a squad was admirable and they should be incredibly proud.
Well done to all pupils involved and thank you to staff for their continued support
Netball colours are awarded as follows: Libby M-W is awarded junior bronze sports colours; Martha H is awarded junior gold sports colours; Helena M and Nikaiyah F are awarded senior bronze sports colours; Maisy H is re-awarded senior gold sports colours.
Cross Country Report, Sean E
Throughout this term, the cross country team have competed in a number of fixtures against runners from Norwich School, Gresham’s and Ipswich School as part of the East Anglian League. There were particularly strong performances from Theo G and Isabella B, who won the senior boys and senior girls race respectively at Gresham’s.
However, our best performances this season came from our intermediate boys, with the team of Sean E, Henry S, Jack H and Frank W consistently claiming the top four positions in their race. This led to us winning the intermediate boys team trophy and to Sean E winning the intermediate boys individual award.
The Intermediate Boys Individual Trophy is awarded to Sean E who is also awarded bronze senior sports colours for cross country. The Intermediate Boys Team Trophy is awarded to Sean E, Henry S, Jack H and Frank W.
Basketball Report, Alex S and Jacob W
Following last year’s record-breaking season which included an astounding winning streak of 10 consecutive games, we decided to raise the bar this year by playing more challenging and accomplished teams. Our vast and varied fixture calendar this season has been very exciting and busy, and involved travelling a total of 1,577 miles.
In November, our U18 team made an explosive start against The Perse School, winning with a final score line of 63-52, followed by a convincing win over St Joseph’s College. But, after a tough loss against Copleston Academy, the team went on to take the jewels out of England’s crown, coming home to Holbrook as proud winners, having beaten Eton by 28 points, Harrow by 14 points, and Wellington College by 20 points. Unfortunately, the squad lost by small margins to Charterhouse and Oundle School. However, this season’s campaign has firmly put us on the basketball map and cemented our reputation as a serious contender whilst on every occasion displaying the best version of ourselves and proving ourselves to be a really ‘good sport’.
One of the players who has been outstanding on so many levels is Antonio A-P, a talented and transcendent player who has raised the competitive nature of his teammates. Antonio is well under way to secure himself another MVP title.
Finally, we would like to give thanks to our home crowd and those who helped and supported us at the side-line throughout the season: Tobi D and Alvin K as assistant coaches for the junior teams; Brian C, Jeerapat S and Kyle M who amongst others recorded vital stats, and most of all Ben E and Mrs Hellmann who did a sterling job in keeping accurate scores and running the table effectively! To all those who are proud to be and make a strong contribution to what we are part of here at RHS - Many, many thanks!
Basketball colours are awarded as follows: Tobi D is awarded junior bronze sports colours; Ben E and Alvin K are awarded senior bronze sports colours.
Sailing Report, Thommie G
The term started with the Women's Team Racing National Championship. The team won four of their races, all against university teams, on day one and then had an unbeaten second day, winning the silver league with five wins and then the U19 final 2-0.
Up next was the Suffolk Shiver hosted by us at Alton Water. Sevenoaks School reigned supreme, beating all nine of their opponents over the course of the day, but RHS teams finished second and third, showing excellent form throughout the day.
In recent weeks, the school's ILCA sailors have been competing in national ranking events over in Weymouth and Portland in Dorset.
The first of two weekends saw stand-out performances from Ciara M finishing 5th overall and first female in the ILCA 4, Christopher Marsh finishing 9th overall in the ILCA 6 and Sebastian K finishing second overall, with two race wins in the ILCA 7.
The second weekend once again saw Ciara M excelling, finishing 7th overall and 2nd female with two race results in the top three, Christopher M improving slightly to 8th overall and Sebastian K finishing 4th overall and 1st under 19. There were plenty of other excellent individual race performances throughout the 16 strong RHS team at the regattas such as Alvaro A and Tasha H posting 3rd place finishes in individual races.
The final team racing event of the term involved four RHS teams competing at the NSSA 2 boat championship. After an excellent first day, all four teams had qualified for the gold league. The racing was much tougher on the second day but three of the four teams qualified for the semi-finals. Sadly, all three teams lost their respective semi-finals meaning they all placed in third place in their respective divisions.
Climbing Report, Ted W
Climbing at RHS is more popular than ever and is continuously oversubscribed. Year 7s alone have seen 45 brand new climbers introduced to the activity. We currently have some very keen lead climbers who are planning to enter the National Youth Climbing Competition in September 2023. The National Indoor Award certificates are being presented on an almost weekly basis and we have never had so many pupils engaged at all levels of the award.
This year there will be an Adventure Climbing Trip to Cornwall where a small crew of competent lead climbers will be going to the next level by climbing outdoors using traditional leading methods. Cornish sea cliffs are one of the best climbing venues anywhere in the world and it will make a lifelong impression on these lucky young climbers. We continue supporting Climbers Against Cancer who very kindly print the school’s name on our club shirts without any extra charge.
