On Friday 16th May, our students came together once again to celebrate their sporting achievements and reflect on the remarkable progress made throughout the past year. It was also an inaugural event for some of the boys who were representing the U18 Mixed Volleyball Squad. 

It was a privilege to hear from our sports representatives, who delivered engaging and thoughtful speeches highlighting the successes and memorable moments from their seasons across a wide range of disciplines, including Athletics, Cross Country, Tennis, Equestrian, Badminton, Cricket, Volleyball, Indoor Hockey, Hockey, and Netball. We were honoured to welcome back Leah Crisp as our distinguished guest speaker for the evening. Leah, an alumna of WGHS, shared the inspiring story of her swimming career, which gained significant momentum after leaving school. Specialising in distance freestyle events, she rapidly rose to prominence on the national stage, securing multiple British titles in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events. Her outstanding performances earned her a place on British Swimming’s elite pathway programme and selection for international competitions, where she proudly represented Great Britain.

A defining moment in Leah’s career came in 2024, when she achieved her lifelong dream of competing at the Paris Olympic Games as a member of Team GB. Her participation on the world’s most prestigious sporting stage stands as a powerful testament to her years of dedication, perseverance, and resilience. Leah’s story exemplifies the values of commitment, sportsmanship, and national pride.

In addition to her athletic pursuits, Leah also secured a place at the University of Bath – a leading institution renowned for both academic and sporting excellence. There, she pursued a demanding degree in Economics and Mathematics while training at a world-class level through the university’s high-performance swimming programme. Balancing the rigours of elite sport and academia is no small feat, yet Leah has managed both with exceptional discipline and focus. Her success serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through effective time management and unwavering determination.

During the evening, special recognition was also given to our Year 13 leavers, whose contributions to sport at WGHS have spanned over ten different disciplines. Presentations were also made to the Most Valued Player which was awarded to Cece, in acknowledgment for her extraordinary commitment and support to her teammates, even while sidelined by injury.

Alongside this in an unprecedented decision, the North Shield was awarded jointly to three Netball teams, in recognition of their outstanding performances in the U15 SIS Competition and the U16 & U18 Netball National Finals. 

Finally, individual students were recognised for their exceptional contributions throughout the year, and medals were presented in celebration of their dedication and national achievements;

Maddie F – Synchronised Swimming

Lucy P – Karate

Amelia P – Karate

Lilly M W – Badminton 

Mrs K Robinson

Director of Sport