Olympic Preparation 

Every term girls at Wilmington will be embracing one of the Olympic or Paralympic values.  Beginning in January we will be concentrating on

Determination

‘Try and try again’ – Never give up

Anyone nominated by a friend or teacher for showing determination will receive an Olympic value certificate.

Year 8 Netball Festival

WGSG put out two strong teams for the Netball festival away at Mayfield Grammar School.  WGSG (A) got off to a strong start by scoring the first goal against Dartford Grammar School for Girls; however, the opposition fought back and scored a few goals in quick succession. WGSG continued to battle hard against DGSG and Leigh Academy; nevertheless the final score did not reflect our true performance with defeats for both matches. History repeated itself for the WGSG B’s, who battled hard against Longfield and DGSG (B), but unfortunately our defence could not keep up with the continual shots on target. Our hard work, strong passes and good marking were overshadowed by the final results. Unfortunately at the end of the tournament both WGSG teams were runners up. We all did very well in the matches we played and now have things to work on in training to be the best we can be.

By Jessica Marsh

Year 8 Hockey Festival

WGSG were ready to play 7 v 7 Hockey away at Swan Valley against DGSG, however, after some last minute alterations WGSG played a full 11 a side match. Initially this caused a little disruption at the beginning with a quick goal from DGSG and put the opposition ahead 1-0. Throughout the game all of the girls contributed well to distribute the ball around the pitch with several goal scoring opportunities from the forwards, however these were unfortunately not converted. After a quick break on the counter attack DGSG managed to slot a goal past Ellina Driscoll Niles after making several valiant saves, which finished the half at 2-0 down.

As the second half began the heavens opened! This didn’t deter any of the girls who continued to make tactical passes and good marking. Unfortunately the weather was against us and resulted in the game being stopped due to the severity of the down pour, which left the game at 2-0.

Year 7 Netball Festival

Woop Woop and the year 7 girls are victorious! In a marvelous display of skill, talent and prowess the year 7 squad (1) beat all their opponents somewhat impressively.

DTC 0 Vs WGSG 3

Longfield 0 Vs WGSG 1

Swanvalley 0 Vs WGSG 5

Impressive playing continued with the 2^nd year 7 team who drew 2 matches and won another. Leaving them as runners up for the tournament.

DGSG 1 Vs WGSG 1

MGSG 0 Vs WGSG 3

Leigh 0 Vs WGSG 0

U16 Kent Netball Tournament

The U16 Kent Netball squad had an overcast dreary day to attend this year’s competition. We arrived to see at least 40 other teams from all over Kent warming up to play the annual tournament. This year’s standard was particularly strong in our pool we played Benenden, Rochester girls, Chatham Girls Grammar, Maidstone Girls Grammar, Rainham Girls and Priory School. Despite winning 3, drawing one and losing two of our games it wasn’t enough to put us through to the quarter final rounds. Well done to all the girls who attended.

Year 10 and 11 Netball Festival

The Year 10 and 11 Netball girls showed great team spirit and dedication, which is evident both on the court and when at training. On the 15^th November the girls not only had to face the likes of Leigh Academy and Mayfield Grammar, they also had to battle through the bitter cold weather. Although they were placed 3^rd and 4^th overall, they definitely deserve to be commended by all.

Gillingham Football Club - npower girls cup

On Wednesday 16^th November 8 girls with the ambition and determination to be the next Kelly Smith (Arsenal Ladies) or Kylie Davis (Chelsea ladies) entered the npower girls cup run by Gillingham Football Club.

The girls played in 3 matches in the 1^st round:-

Pent Valley Academy vs Wilmington

0 V 1

Bishop of Rochester vs Wilmington

0 V 3

Leigh Academy vs Wilmington

1 v 0

The girls played amazingly with particular solid skills being shown from Poppy Payne in defense and Olivia Fry on the counter attack. Having watched Leigh Academy beat the other team 7 – 0 and 6 – 0 we knew we were going to be faced with a tough challenge. The girls man marked so tight that minimal passes where getting through to Leigh’s very talented forwards. The one conceded goal came from an accurate high corner full powered shot from Leigh’s forward, Francesca did everything to get her hands on the ball but the power proved too much and all we could do was stand and watch it being knocked in of our keepers save. A brave and incredibly nerve racking performance (from me on the sideline) meant that the girls could leave with their heads held high. Leigh Academy won our group and went onto play in the semi’s.

Well done girls!

U13 & U16 Cross Country

Congratulations to all the girls who took part in the cross country event hosted by Wilmington Academy. It was an extremely rewarding afternoon and all girls who participated seemed to gain personal pride in their sterling performances. Special congratulations must be given to Skylar Collins for achieving 3rd place piping Sophie Ryan in the last straight who came 4^th in the U13 competitions out of 59 girls.

Gillingham Centre of Excellence Training

Parents please beware of this exciting and rare opportunity that the PE department has secured…

WGSG is pleased to welcome a Gillingham Centre of Excellence Football Coach to train our elite and enthusiastic footballers, every Wednesday until February half term and possibly longer! Please make sure your daughter collects a form every Thursday from the PE department and returns it as soon as possible to secure her place in the following weekly session. Please be aware sessions cost £2.00 per student. This opportunity allows your daughter to master key football tactics and skills, whilst showing casting her talent to some of Kent’s leading coaches.

RFU Rugby Coaching

Following a successful tag rugby match for our year 7 – 9 students earlier in the year and the new integration of tag rugby into the year 11 PE curriculum, it is with great pleasure that I can announce the introduction of a Thursday Rugby Club 3.30pm – 4.40pm on the common. This club is being run by an affiliated RFU coach therefore enabling the girls to be taught key skills and tactics from a specialist. This club will be free for all students in year 7 – 10 and will contain a mixture of tag rugby progressing onto contact rugby where age groups will be split.

Year 7 Kent School Games Futsal

Our first game was a friendly against Northfleet School for Gilrs, we won this game with four goal to nil. Things were looking good as this was the first time us year sevens have played together. The next game was against Longfield Academy. This game did not go to plan and the final score was 2-1 to them. Third up was Dartford Grammar, it was a tight game and with seconds to go we switched off and conceded an unlucky goal just before the final whistle went. Hextable were our next opponents. We played well as a team in this game and won the match. Our last game was against Leigh Academy. We played very well in this one and were so close to the end of time but they were lucky and scored one goal.

This tournament was good practice for us, so we can do better in the next one.

 - Ellie Perkins 7K

Year 8 Netball Festival

The girls went out strong mind set and determined to win. This paid off within the first game winning 2-0 against Dartford Technology College. Both goals came from quick passing and good decision making which allowed the girls to move the ball up the court leaving DTC’s defence standing which were finally converted by ‘GS’ Ellena Jeffery. In the second game against Northfleet School for Girls, our girls battled against the elements with fast winds and rain. This however did not deter them from further excellent play. Again Ellena Jeffery scored just before the final whistle; making the result a 1-0 win. As the girls won both games they came 1^st place! Well done – all your hard work has paid off!

Year 7 Hockey Festival

Well done to all the year 7 students who turned out to play in their first every hockey tournament. However the other teams must have been scared by our professional determined attitude because they all pulled out of the event. Leaving us returning home from Swan Valley undefeated!!!

U13, U14 & U16 Cross Country

An incredible number of 28 pupils took part in the Cross Country event at Swanley Park. Not only did the course have varying terrains, it was a cold and windy day yet this did not deter the girls in the slightest. The following girls deserve extra recognition for their brilliant effort and success.

Under 13’s (out of 63):

4^th Skylar Collins (7H)

6^th Sophie Ryan (7H)

Under 14’s (out of 44):

7^th Deyo Adetosoye (8I)

Under 16’s (out of 22):

5^th Ella Shorter (10I)

7^th Sophie Hulf (11I)

Year 10 & 11 Kent School Games Futsal Tournament

The year 10 & 11’s first taste of the sport futsal proved rather unsuccessful with them unfortunately losing 3 out of their 4 games. Keeping their heads held high as Wilmington students do they embraced the tournament and are looking forward to future competitions. Well done girls for giving it ago.

Next Terms Fixtures

Thank you

I would like to extend a huge thank you to all the extra-curricular staff who are helping to provide a huge arrange of sporting fixtures and clubs to our students, helping to increase all provisions and opportunities.

I must pay particular thanks to Mrs Payne (year 7 parent) for her generosity. Mrs Payne provided the girls with 8 new footballs; this was the best Christmas present the department could have hoped for and we will ensure they are put to great use.

Novembers Inter-House Sporting Competitions

Year7