This year, I have found myself reflecting on the students who are proud to represent the Blue and Yellow of our school.

There is something special about those who wear our colours with pride. Perhaps it is the desire to be part of something bigger than themselves; perhaps it is the sense of belonging and connection that can only be forged through shared adversity, hard work, and celebration.

The students I want to recognise this year are those who not only love sport but love representing our school, whatever the sport may be, especially when it is not their main sport. They are the students willing to step outside their comfort zone, push themselves to their limits, and compete even when success is far from guaranteed. They embrace challenges for the good of the team and the wider school community.

We have these students in abundance, and always have.

As I write this, I am watching the Hyrox World Championships, where former student Charlie Botterill narrowly missed out on a medal by just one second. Earlier this term, we welcomed another former student, Mia Venner, back to school to speak about her rugby career, her England caps, her Premier Women’s Rugby title, and becoming the league’s top try scorer.

Both Charlie and Mia seized every opportunity available to them during their time here. They played every sport they could, and through each experience they developed resilience, teamwork, camaraderie, and a genuine love of being active and sharing experiences with others. Most importantly, they never made excuses. They embraced opportunities, and I believe that mindset has played a huge role in their success.

Our current students are equally talented, and it is a privilege to see what they are becoming. We have students who want to try everything, represent us in everything, and constantly challenge themselves. They wear the school badge with pride because they want to be part of something meaningful.

They understand that defeat can build resilience, teach valuable lessons, and strengthen friendships. They know that victory brings unity, joy, and memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Like many of you reading this, I still remember playing sport for my school and the memories it created. When I meet old school friends, we do not talk about lessons or exams we talk about the County Cup rugby final we won in Year 9, or the penalty that slipped through my hands in a sixth form semi-final. These moments stay with us forever.

This term we had the pleasure of watching Mr Roberts’ Year 9 football team compete in the County Cup Final. The boys were outstanding, winning 5-0. They represented the school with pride, humility, and class, and we could not be more proud of both their achievement and the young men they are becoming.

They have created memories that will last a lifetime, and I hope that when they meet again at 43 years old, they will still share stories from that special day.

However, I would also like to recognise the substitutes and the boys who narrowly missed out on the final squad. They stood behind the team every step of the way, supporting their teammates in everything they did. They were the heart of the group, and they represent exactly what is so special about the students at this school.

Earlier in the year, our Year 8 girls won both the County Cup and the County 5-a-Side competition, while our Year 7 girls finished as runners-up. This group is truly special. They demonstrate grit, determination, and excellence, and they are a force to be reckoned with.

In fact, our Year 7, 8, 9, and 10 girls are among the sportiest groups we have ever seen. At the South Oxfordshire Athletics Competition at Tilsley Park, every age group finished in the top two as a team. Our female athletes are exceptional, and their future excites us enormously.

Yet what makes us most proud is not simply their success. It is their willingness to say “yes” to opportunities. They may already be academy footballers, yet they are eager to try rugby. They are willing to run themselves to exhaustion in the Area Cross Country Championships. More than any trophy or medal, this is what makes us proud as a department: students who simply love to represent their school.

This year, we have awarded our Founders’ Day Prize to Alexa, a Year 13 student who embodies everything we value. Alexa is a workhorse, an opportunity-taker, and a team player. She would run through brick walls for her teammates and her teachers. She embraces every challenge, gives everything she has, and represents all that is great about the young women at Wallingford. We are incredibly proud of the small part we have played in her journey so far and even more excited about what lies ahead - because this is only the beginning.

Thank you to every student who has represented the Blue and Yellow this year. Whether you won, lost, played every minute, or cheered from the sidelines, you have contributed to something bigger than yourself.

And that is what school sport is all about.

 - Mr S Dodson, Head of PE