Thank you to the Golden Lions Children’s Trust for again inviting students from Woodlands Meed College to enjoy a fantastic day at the Ardingly show earlier this month. The GLCT ensured a great day was had by the students, who enjoyed all that the show had to offer – including ice cream!

On Friday the 9th June, everyone at the school site joined together to participate in our marathon football match to raise funds for Soccer Aid.  Students (and staff!) were encouraged to wear their favourite football shirts with representatives from all classes participating.

It was a great spectacle with our wheelchair users kicking off the match, and although it was in aid of charity, it was highly competitive with a few tackles that made some of us wince on more than one occasion!

As other classes were introduced, the goals kept on flowing, and we were all very impressed with the level of football on show.  Of particular note was the part of the match when we had three classes on the pitch which equated to almost 40 students, but they all did incredibly well, and it was expertly refereed by Lou!

It was a fantastic day, and in the end, a very close match with the blues eventually winning by a single solitary goal!  Well done to everyone involved!

During the half-time break, we held three penalty shoot-outs; one for our students in wheelchairs, one for primary and one for Key Stage 3.  

The goalies for the penalty shoot-outs were:

• Ethan and Seren
• Katie T
• Martin W

Once again it was very competitive and we witnessed some truly fantastic penalties (The England National team could learn a few things from our students!).  Liv and Lou were on hand to keep score.  This was very   important as the winners were to be awarded with a brand new football each!

And the winners were:

KS3: Tianna

Primary: Bruno

Congratulations to everyone who took part, it really was a fantastic whole school event, well done!

Just before half term on Friday 26th May, 12 students from KS3 and KS4, travelled to the home of Brighton and Hove Albion FC, The Amex, to play in an invitational tournament!  As the name suggests, the students actually got to play on the Amex pitch, and boy they didn’t disappoint!!!

Our superstars performed brilliantly from the start, earning a very impressive point after a 1-1 draw against a very good Downsview, thanks to a goal from Bobby and some very committed defending!  In our second game, we started very positively against Hill Park, and went close many times before Kaden found the back of the net, earning us a 1-0 victory.  This meant a win in our final group match would guarantee us a place in the final.  It was another close game with chances at both ends, but then Tyler picked up the ball and hit it beautifully into the bottom corner.  Some expert teamwork and collective defending ensured we saw this game out. 

In the final, we faced Downsview who we had drawn with earlier in the tournament.  It was another tough game and despite our students giving everything, we eventually lost 2-0.  However, this must not take away how amazing our students were both on and off the pitch!!! They really were a true credit to the school!  How many people can say they’ve played on The Amex pitch? How many people can say they’ve scored on The Amex pitch?  How many people can say earnt their place in a final on The Amex pitch?  How many people can say they’ve played in a final on the Amex pitch?  The answer is not many, so a massive well done to all you!!!

So, it was that time of year again, the highlight of our sporting calendar, yes it was The Parallel Youth Games!  On Wednesday the 17^th May, 48 students from Key Stage 3 attended the event at The K2 in Crawley for the Parallel Youth Games.  This is the most students we have ever taken to this annual event and we were blown away at how our inspirational students not only adapted to the day, but how they totally smashed it! 

Our students represented the school in 10 different sports which included street soccer, boccia, table cricket, swimming, dance and for the first time in our history...bouldering!  There were so many successes with lots of students representing Woodlands Meed for the first time, plenty of students making their debut at The PYGs, some students trying a new sport, and lots of students earning bronze, silver and gold medals in boccia, golf and in the pool. 

Yes our students won matches, yes they won races, yes they even won medals (plenty of which were gold!), but that is not what this day is about.  Today was about individual students being given the opportunity to feel good about themselves, the opportunity to succeed, the opportunity to share their successes with their peers and be recognised as the truly remarkable and inspirational young people that they are.  This is why events such as The Parallel Youth Games are not only important, but are vital in providing our students with an arena where they can quite simply be themselves.  Congratulations to ever single student who represented the school (you really are all winners!), we are so proud of you all, and a massive thank you to all the staff who, without your support, enthusiasm and hard work, none of this would have been possible.

Follow this link to hear Penny Gittins from Woodlands Meed talking about the Parallel Youth games.

On Monday 27th March, Woodlands Meed  became record breakers as every single student who benefits from using a wheelchair attended the recent Wheelchair football festival at The Triangle Leisure Centre in Burgess Hill. 

16 students from both our school and college sites made the short but labour-intensive journey to attend the event organised by Albion in the Community.

Students took the opportunity to participate in every activity on offer including relays, penalty shoot-outs and passing drills.  The highlight was most definitely the matches which brought out everyone’s competitive side, and we’re not just talking about the students

Every one was presented with certificates and medals in recognition of all they achieved.  We could not be prouder of our students; once again, they surprised us all and many tears were shed as they surpassed even our highest expectations.

On Tuesday 14th March, Owls made their competitive debut when they travelled the short distance to St Pauls in Burgess Hill to represent Woodlands Meed in the annual boccia and new age kurling event.

There were six other schools in attendance including Lindfield, St Josephs, Bolnor and Blackthorns with all students having the opportunity to play in both boccia and new age kurling matches.

Our students played really well, trying their best and showing great improvement throughout the morning’s event.  They coped really well with the unfamiliar setting, and the large number of unfamiliar people present.  Owls also had an unplanned fire alarm to contend with! They all took it in their stride and many commented that they enjoyed playing the two sports.  Seeing their old school, and making new friends were two other highlights!  Well done Owls, we are very proud of you!