9 December 2025
Miss Jaclyn Leach, Director of Sport
It’s been a busy and successful second half of term and the commitment, resilience and team-spirit shown by our girls have been incredible.
In hockey there has been fantastic progress across all age groups. The 1st and 2nd XIs have produced some excellent performances, including a 4–1 win against CLFS and a 3-1 win over King’s for the 2nd XI. Highlights for the 1st XI include a superb 2-1 victory over JAGS and a 2-0 win against Colfe’s. The U15A XI’s magnificent Independent Schools Hockey Cup run came to an end with a third-round defeat to St George’s College. These players have been our most consistent performers to date and should feel exceptionally proud of their efforts. The U15B XI gave us one of the biggest thrills of the season with their 1-0 win against Colfe’s - in freezing conditions they worked together brilliantly, attacking the game hard. The U14 A&B teams have been their usual hardworking selves, never failing to make their coaches proud. A particular highlight was the U14A’s 1-0 win against Kingston Grammar, who are always challenging opposition on the hockey pitch. The U13A put up a brilliant fight in their Sisters In Sport fixture against Croydon High. The game finished 1-4, however, the tight second half, with one goal for each team, was a better reflection of the progress these players have been continually making. The U13B game against Croydon High was also a great contest, finishing in a 1-1 draw. It has been a joy to see the U12 ABC&D squads represented most weekends this half-term, always with an abundance of team spirit. A key highlight was the U12A XI achieving a fantastic 3rd place in the Surrey Plate, showcasing goals the 1st XI would be proud of.
In netball, the girls have trained hard on top of their other sporting commitments to ensure we represented ourselves well in both the Inter Schools Netball Cup and the Sisters In Sport (SNS) competitions. The 1st VII and the U15 VII remain the in the SNS competition, with both squads through to round three. The U15 B&C VII deserve a mention for their fantastic effort at the District tournament, where they competed against other schools’ A&B teams. The U15C finished unbeaten as tournament winners and the U15B VII ended the tournament in fourth place.
Our swimmers continue to shine. At the District competition, the lower juniors won all but one race, placing them at the top of the table. The inter and senior squads also performed exceptionally, finishing consistently in the top two in the second round, and putting both teams at the top of their respective tables. Our junior team sits in a strong second place and, with all points combined, Woldingham currently leads the district overall. A mixed Year 7–10 squad also delivered an outstanding performance at the Reigate Grammar gala, securing a superb win and finishing 10 points clear.
Students have also represented the school in cricket and tennis, showing that their hard work in lunchtime and after-school clubs and in individual tennis lessons is paying off. Both U13 and U15 cricket squads represented the school in the Surrey Schools Indoor Tournaments, showing great progress, teamwork and resilience against strong opposition. The girls’ confidence and understanding of the indoor format improved impressively across each fixture. Our 1st VI opened their Surrey League campaign with two excellent ties, pushing St George’s close and displaying high-quality tennis throughout.
We have also been proud to celebrate many outstanding individual achievements this term in a wide range of activities, including hockey, netball, swimming, water polo, cricket and cross country, where our girls are training and competing at county, regional and national levels.
As our hockey priority term concludes and we look forward to an exciting spring term of netball, Lily, our Sport Ribbon, interviewed Ellie, 1st XI hockey captain, and Liv, 1st VII netball captain, to find out more about their roles and what they mean to them.
Lily: What’s your favourite thing about being a team captain?
Ellie: Being able to help people and be there for them, whether it’s for sport or something else.
Liv: Seeing the growth of the teams I coach.
If you could give one piece of advice to younger players, what would it be?
Ellie: Work hard to improve but make sure you are enjoying yourself at the same time.
Liv: Set high expectations but hold yourself accountable - you want to improve as a player and a person but don’t let your sport become everything.
How do you balance schoolwork and sport commitments?
Ellie: Planning weeks around fixtures and sticking to my plan to, understanding that academics have to come first.
Liv: Hope and pray a test doesn’t get put on the same day as a match! TALK to your teachers, they do listen.
What does being part of your team mean to you?
Ellie: Enjoying playing hockey with friends; seeing people improving; and celebrating wins together.
Liv: I’d sum it up by the end of the year, when everyone comes together and huddles and we all make a speech and cry together.
Most memorable/funniest moment you’ve had on the pitch/court?
Ellie: Running up the pitch and losing both shin pads in the process. I now tape them to my legs.
Liv: Winning promotion into prem southeast.
Favourite song before a match?
Ellie: Baddadan and Messy in Heaven
Liv: Somebody Told Me, by The Killers
Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?
Ellie: Absolutely not (do not listen to Lily)
Liv: Just no!
Sporting hero?
Ellie: Sebastian Vettel
Liv: Serena Guthrie
Go-to snack before a match?
Ellie: Porridge + banana + honey
Liv: Homemade cookie
Favourite school lunch?
Ellie: Spaghetti meatballs, garlic bread
Liv: House Feast food – black burgers