The final day of the Spring term saw some of our Year 9,10 and 11 students depart for the Netherlands on a 4 day hockey tour. Full of excitement, they left at 3am in order to make the journey in time for their first fixture in Rotterdam. As well as the students and staff, the team mascot “Maddie” was also travelling with them to wish them luck!

After a long coach journey, they arrived at Calais for their ferry and kept themselves entertained on board stretching their legs and playing Cluedo. With a 4 hour coach journey the other side and a brief stop off at their hotel to drop bags, they arrived and went straight off to play their first fixture against HVSpijkenisse – after a quick pizza tea! What a result they had! A 4-3 win after coming back from behind at half time. Well done Team Shipston. A fabulous team performance and some great individual moments too.

After a well deserved nights sleep, the students were up and out to go and visit a local theme park. Lots of singing and dance moves on the way, courtesy of Mr Shaw, they all had a fabulous day out.

Next stop was to watch the women’s live hockey match – HDM Hockey – and then a more relaxing evening back at the hotel enjoying dinner, bingo and candy floss.

The 6.45am wake up call the next day was challenging for most but they all managed it and set off for a full day enjoying hockey training, watching two professional matches, a canal cruise in the afternoon and bowling and dinner at a pizza restaurant in the centre of Rotterdam.

After a fun packed weekend, it was time to come home and with a 5.45am wake up call to depart, I can imagine the coach will be a lot quieter than on the way out! Even Mr Shaw may sleep!

Well done to all students for your excellent participation in all the activities and exemplary behaviour.

A big thank you to Miss Davies and Mr Shaw for enabling our students to have such a wonderful experience.