FOOTBALL

In football, the 6^th Form boys football team made it all the way through to the 5^th round of the National Cup with some superb performances. First, they made the long trip to Cambridge play against Stephen Perse Foundation College where they soaked up some early pressure before ultimately running out 2-0 winners, thanks to goals from Matty L and Doug C. The fourth round was a bit more comfortable against Thomas Mills School as goals from Alex S, Ashton D, Matty L, Jack T plus an own goal meant that Hellesdon qualified for the last 32 of the competition with a 5-1 win; the furthest any of our boys teams have got for a long while. Unfortunately, their journey ended in the 5^th round, despite a spirited performance away to Copleston High School. With the score 1-1 at half time, thanks to a fine finish from Charlie W, the momentum in second half swung back and forth with Hellesdon taking a 2-1 lead through Doug C before the hosts hit back to lead 3-2. Charlie then scored his second with a fantastic free kick to level it up at 3-3 but with around 7 minutes to go, Copleston went ahead 4-3 and Hellesdon could not quite muster one final push to take the game to extra time. Nevertheless, the lads should be incredibly proud of all their achievements in this competition.

In other year groups, the Y11 boys and Y9 boys’ football teams were also on the wrong end of narrow defeats. The Y11’s lost out 3-2 to Thorpe with Noah S and Freddie P scoring Hellesdon’s goals whilst the Y9’s were edged out 4-3 to Benjamin Britten. George R 2 and Max C scoring for Hellesdon.

In the County Cups, there were defeats for the Y7 boys and Y11 boys’ football teams as they lost 5-0 to St Clements and 3-2 to Hobart respectively. The 6^th form boys team agonisingly lost 4-3 after extra time to Wymondham High despite Matty L scoring a hat-trick. Better news for the Y8 boys football team though who beat both KES and Dereham Neatherd to make it through to the quarter finals after Christmas. Jayden B (2), Roman B and Jack F scored in a 4-1 win in round 2 and then in round 3 Dexter H, Archie M and Arthur were all on the scoresheet in a 3-1 away win.

In addition to the National and County Cups, there were also plenty of the traditional Smash Up football tournaments held at this time of year at Open Academy. The Y11B, Y10B, Y8B and Y7B boys football teams all attending and playing lots of fun 5-a-side matches against other local schools.

                       Y8B Boys Smash Up Team                                                                                Y11B Boys Smash Up Team

Finally, a special mention to George R (Y9) who had the amazing opportunity just before half term to play a tournament in Doha, Qatar for the Norwich City Academy. The boys played brilliantly, finishing in 5th place and only just missed out on qualifying for the top 4 group by a single goal. Everyone at HHS is very proud of everything George has achieved so far!

RUGBY

Throughout the course of the half term, over 70 students attended one of the North Walsham rugby days. The Y7 boys team had their first experience of contact rugby at the start of the half term and performed admirably in the 3 games they played against Flegg, Alderman Peel and Aylsham. Aiden B named HHS player of the tournament.

Next was the turn of the Y8 boys rugby team who were able to win 2 of the 3 games they played. Reaghan H, Arthur C, Riley B and Josh B all chipping in with tries as the latter was also named HHS player of the tournament.

The following week saw the very enthusiastic Y7 girls rugby team have their turn. Having displayed great tenacity during their first taste of contact rugby before half term, the girls built on this and displayed excellent progress in their passing and tackling abilities in particular. In two closely fought contests, the girls drew 3-3 with Alderman Peel and 2-2 with Flegg. Poppy E, Leah G-G (HHS player of the tournament) and Esma M all amongst the tries for Hellesdon. After Christmas, there will be an after-school girls rugby club starting – all years and abilities welcome!

 

Finally, the Y9 boys rugby team rounded of the rugby days for this year who as is shown in the photo below were not afraid to get themselves stuck in!

NETBALL

After school netball continues to go from strength to strength with over 50 students attending one of the two clubs each week. After Christmas, the girls will have the opportunity to play in a number of matches / tournaments so watch this space for more details.

 

ROWING

In December, fourteen of our Y7-10 students were invited to take part in an WNDSSP indoor rowing event at Whitlingham Broad. For many of those involved, it was their first taste of any form of competitive rowing and they all did brilliantly. Alfie E, Aidan, Lola, Jack, Seth, Jasmine G, Josh F all achieving a bronze award whilst Matthew D (Y10) went one step further and achieved the silver award for his efforts.

 

BADMINTON

Towards the beginning of the term, some of our Y7 students had the opportunity to play in a one-off badminton match against St Felix School. Unfortunately, the HHS team could not quite match their strong opponents but there will still plenty of great displays to hopefully build on for future matches after Christmas.

 

CROSS COUNTRY

Finally, a big well done to all our school cross country winners from earlier in the half term, some of who are pictured below.

In each year group, the winners were as follows: Y7 Boys = Miles S, Y7 Girls = Ruby R, Y8 Boys = Arthur C, Y8 Girls = Florrie T, Y9 Boys = Max C, Y9 Girls = Emma B, Y10 Boys = Josh F, Y10 Girls = Kara-Mae E

After Christmas, these students, along with a few others will hopefully have the chance to qualify for the Norfolk Schools Cross Country Championships which take place towards the end of January at Wymondham College.