Staff v Students Hockey 2025
Pumping music, loud cheers and the thwack of stick connecting with ball were the soundtrack to the annual Staff v Students Hockey Match.
In blazing hot sunshine, a mixed team of teachers and support staff with a wide variety of levels of Hockey experience and expertise walked out onto the artificial pitch to greet a team of the Sixth Form’s finest players.
Pupils lined the pitch to cheer on their favourites, waving giant foam hands and handmade signs to express their support, while commentary and pitchside interviews were provided by Head of Geography Mr David Cunningham and Head of History of Art Mr David Morrish.
The match was fiercely contested, with members of Year 13, playing in their last ever match as part of Headington Rye, and leaving members of staff such as Deputy Head Mr Simon Hawkes and PE teacher Miss Pip Horlock, all keen to make their mark.
The staff turned to increasingly questionable tactics towards the end of the match, being presented with a flurry of yellow and green cards to stay their antics.
When the final whistle blew, it was the staff who came out victorious, winning 5 goals to 3. Assistant Head Mr Alex Thomson was named staff player of the match, while Sofia, Year 13, took the honours for the students.
Head of Hockey Mr Nathan Monk said: “What a match! Special mention goes to Mr Thomson’s colourful socks, Dr Prata’s trainers sourced from the lost property box, a fantastic finish in the bottom corner from Miss Charania and great skills from Georgie in dribbling past three staff defenders to score.”
