Girls' Football

After a long break between matches, the FPJ Girls Football team arrived in Cookham to play Holy Trinity and Oldfield. Although we had lost a striker, Alexa, to injury, we welcomed two new players, Alice G and Aaradhya, and the girls looked ready for action in the new kit.

The first match against Oldfield was challenging; the first half was uphill and Oldfield were already warmed up. We showed great determination and play and Eliza, Zoe, Alice Y and newcomer, Alice G, were equally strong in their play, winning tackles and feeding the ball to Katie. But Katie faced a strong defence and good tactics and it was hard work to get the ball to goal. She made several great attempts at scoring, backed up by our mid field, but the goalkeeper was good and saved 2 great kicks. At the other end of the pitch, the pressure was intense. Rosie was strong in defensive tackles with Tijana – trying a new position - and Aaradhya, our other newcomer, and they all really got stuck in. As attack came quickly our goalkeeper, Varsha, had to be fast with her reactions.  She made some fantastic saves and bravely defended many chances at goal, kicking and communicating well with the team. Oldfield managed to score 3 goals but without Varsha’s hard work, it could easily have been more. In the second half, our teamwork improved and although Oldfield was several goals ahead, we never gave up and were strong in defeat. The result: 3-0.      

The there was a 5 minute break before playing Holy Trinity and we began uphill again. Holy Trinity were a stronger team than Oldfield and scored an early goal. We lost Rosie, our most experienced defender, to injury but this gave Aaradhya, Eliza and Tijana great experience in having to step up. Then the Alice’s and Zoe really got going! Attacking hard, bringing the ball forward many times, only to be stopped by their defenders. Katie scored a brilliant, and well deserved, team goal. Our team's determination was commendable and although we were defeated 6-1, the girls should be proud of their efforts and more determined to train for future matches as they have great potential. A huge well done goes to Aaradhya and Alice G who had barely played football before but developed amazingly throughout and were so encouraging.

Mrs Tisshaw

PRESS RELEASE: TWO OPPOSING HOLOCAUST HISTORIES, ONE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP

The daughter of two Holocaust survivors and the grandson of an SS concentration camp officer show how humans can overcome their personal histories to build the unlikeliest of friendships.

Dr Noemie Lopian and Derek Niemann are telling their inspiring Building Bridges talk to an audience at Furze Platt Theatre on Wednesday 22nd March.

Dr Lopian’s parents lived through the horrors of the concentration camps during the Second World War – while Derek Niemann’s grandfather was a Nazi officer at around the same time. They now travel across the country to give their messages of how you can overcome even the biggest obstacles to find a common ground.

They will be giving their talk to some of Furze Platt Senior School’s sixth form students during the day, before opening up the speech to the wider public in the evening in the theatre to raise funds for the school.

Headteacher, Dr Andrew Morrison said: “The Furze Platt community is incredibly lucky and honoured to be able to welcome Dr Lopian and Mr Niemann to our school. I am looking forward into hearing their stories and the lessons they will share. I am certain that their messages will resonate with students, colleagues and the wider public.”

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start, and soft drinks will be served before and during the interval. There is the opportunity for questions after the talks, with the evening ending around 9pm. Tickets can be purchased here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/furzeplatttheatre