Thought For The Day – Wednesday 12th March 2025
History – Makers
Yesterday was an historic day for the school.
By qualifying for the National Final of the Rugby Football Union English Schools’ Vase competition, students from TBSHS had already won in so many ways. They had already made history and made memories.
The achieved this with the perfect performance in the semi-final against the previously unbeaten Gresham’s School.
Tuesday 11th March saw a wonderful lunch hour at school. In our new school hall, a packed, and knowledgeable, audience, from all year groups, applauded and cheered every attack, challenge, move, tackle and the early penalty kick from TBSHS. They looked up to the players on the “big screen”. Interestingly supporters stayed and watched right until the end of the game. Community. The audience also showed great respect to the opposition.
Yesterday, on the field, TBSHS started very dominantly, showing how much they deserved their final, setting the agenda for the match. Further, TBSHS controlled territory and possession also for the first half of the second half. The team, roared on by equally outstanding support at the final, which was appreciated by the analytical and thoughtful commentary team on the “live stream”, showed great character, pride and resilience. What TBSHS achieved in qualifying for, and in, the final yesterday was outstanding.
Very challenging situations in life are, by definition, very difficult. The fact that the team, and their support, kept going, dug deep and showed great character and dignity, keeping their heads up, spoke volumes. TBSHS played like champions.
The very warmest congratulations to St. Paul’s School. TBSHS did not lose the game yesterday. St. Paul’s superbly won the game. The commentary team spoke of the flair in their attacking play, which they compared to classic French teams in rugby union history. In particular, there were brilliant individual performances. Were we watching future professionals and internationals? With TBSHS’ team also.
Interestingly, the commentary team also talked of St. Paul’s experiencing disappointment in various finals before. Life is a journey. TBSHS is very much on that road, on the way to, and at, that destination, in the conversation, with a seat at the table. For that we thank all involved in an epic story. This will inspire us in every area of the school for years to come.
We very much thank the organisers of the competition, the excellent referee and match officials yesterday, and in the matches before, and all who made such a great day and tournament possible, including the sponsors, “Continental Tyres”.
With care, determination, humility, reflection and respect, we continue.
The most important event, in sport, school and life, is the next one. The story continues.
