Hello and welcome to this week’s Head of Year Blog. 

As we approach the end of a very long term, I would like to highlight some of the amazing success we have witnessed within Year 9 since returning to school in September. 

The Year 9 Rugby League Team have started the term well, having already played three games and sit at the top of the league beating South Hunsley 22 – 4, Withernsea 30 – 20 and Hornsea 24 – 0. 

The Year 9 Football Team beat Driffield in a very tense and competitive game in the first round of the East Riding Cup. The game finishing 1 -1 and the boys finally winning 5 – 4 on penalties. They progress to play South Holderness in the next round of the cup. 

This week saw five Year 9 students participate in the East Riding Schools’ Athletic Association Cross Country Championship at Cottingham High School. Competing against more than 100 runners in each event I am incredibly proud to say G. Wright placed 1st, L. Christie 6th, A. Foulston 10th, N. Rusling 47th in the boy’s category and C. Wright 36th in the girl’s category. This is an unbelievably tough event made worse by the terrible conditions they faced, well done to all students and their hard work and determination. 

I have also received confirmation that four girls within Year 9 will be representing Yorkshire in the National Street Dance Championship in Dorset. The girls currently dance for the Urban Youth Dance Company, and it is through their hard work and dedication that they have been selected to represent Yorkshire at this level of competition. 

On Wednesday Hessle High School entered two girls’ teams into the Tigers Trust Football Tournament. Both teams progressing through the group stages and progressing into the quarter finals. Hessle A beating Sirius West and Hessle B beating Cottingham, now seeing the teams move through to the semi-final. During the Semi-final Hessle A beat Driffield and Hessle B beat Wolfreton, the final now being an all-Hessle affair with Hessle A eventually beating Hessle B. The girls showed fantastic skills and sportsmanship and were an absolute credit to the school. 

Finally, I would like to finish with information relating to one student in Year 9 who, after speaking to his mum has given me permission to raise attention and awareness to his story. 

Leon McNeil started playing rugby at the age of 7 for Hull Wyke although suffering from injury he lost all confidence. 

After several assessments at Hessle High School, it was recognised that Leon had some learning disability and decided to join the Hull FC Disability Rugby Team (LDRL), Leon fit in well with the squad and Leon made a number of new friends. After playing at St James Park as part of the Magic Weekend, Leon was asked if he would like to try the Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) to which he agreed. 

Leons first PDRL festival, was on July 15th, at Hull University, and admits he was “really nervous”; players under a certain age or certain disabilities wear red shorts which indicates if the players are just tagged, or black shorts which indicate full contact. Leon said his coaches were fantastic and soon put his nerves at ease. His first game was against Salford, and although he was nervous the coaching staff really encouraged him and helped him. The second game was against Hull K.R and Leon become the hero of that game, managing to tag the Hull KR player as they went over the try line. Winning man of the match that game gave Leon such a confidence boost and he admits he was so happy with himself. 

Having now played Warrington, Wakefield, Castleford, Bradford and Wigan, scoring several tries Leon is growing in confidence and enjoying being back involved with Rugby League.  

More recently Leon had the opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales which was a real honour and something that he could never imagine happening. Leon heaps praise on the amazing coaching staff and teammates who have made his time playing both LDRL and PDRL so enjoyable. 

To say that I am proud of these achievements is a massive understatement. 

Both Mrs Green and I have been so pleased at how well the Year Group has returned to school and we have witnessed a massive improvement in the maturity of our students. I hope that they continue to grow into successful, hardworking and proud young people.  

They have certainly shown what potential they have when given the opportunity to shine. 

I hope that you all enjoy the well-earned half term holiday, and we will see the students back on the 6 November to continue their journey through Year 9. 

Regards 

Mr Julian

Head of Year 9

Mrs Green 

Assistant Head of Year 9