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.