Wolgarston is full of talented swimmers at the moment, many of whom swim not only for the school, but compete on a district, county and national level.  Some of these swimmers took part in the recent County championships held at Wolverhampton Central swimming baths.  Chris Bagnall won the 50 metre front crawl in the under 14's age group and Justine Hyde won the 50 metre breaststroke and 50 metre backcrawl.

In the recent District championships held at Thomas Alleynes High school, Stone Wolgarston also had winners, Matt Jones winning the 50 metre front crawl, Chris Bagnall also collecting the same title for Year 9.  Justine Hyde won title's in the 50 metre breast stroke and 50 metre backstroke.  Other swimmers in the championships for the school were Chris Atkinson, Alex Bowler, Ben Griffiths, Oliver Peake and Laura Holdsworth.

Three hockey players from Wolgarston have been picked to play for the Staffordshire district team.  Claire Vowles (Year 9), Hayley Butler (Year 10) and Libby Elsmore (Year 11) were all named in the under 16's squad.  Apart from Claire, who plays hockey most weekends for Stafford Ladies, the only hockey practise the others have had is through the school itself.  All three said they had enjoyed playing their two matches, in which they beat Newcastle-Under-Lyme distiict and lost to Cannock District.

All three players have also been involved in the training programme running after school on a Monday evening in which two sixth formers Kate Vowles and Kim Pearce are being assessed on their training skills by the English Hockey Network to gain the level 1 hockey coaching certificate, which enables them to train 7-11 year olds around the region.

Once again the scheduled Swimming Galas have started. Wolgarston's first Gala was against a very impressive team from Thomas Alleynes, Uttoxeter.

We started the Gala very well with some impressive performances from Year 9 swimmers. Chris Bagnall, who is a national swimmer did very well, competing in many of the Year 9 and Year 10 races and so did many of the other Year 9 boys. Warren Grigg, Alex Bowler, Neal McAllister, Richard Somerville and Ben Griffiths all enjoyed their first experiences at competing for the school.

Nina Langford battled hard for the Year 9 girls, inspired by many of the older swimmers who included Oliver Peake and Emma Giles.

The whole team competed well, even though some of the swimmers asked to swim didn't turn up. If you think you would like to swim for the school and join the team, see Mr Curtis on Thursday lunchtimes at team swimming sessions. It is important that we get people swimming because we have got a Gala against Walton coming up.

Ben Griffiths

The question Glenn Hoddle's recent sacking poses is, whether the misquoted and misinterpreted Mr Hoddle was sacked for his religious beliefs and recent comments, or for his failings in recent matches?

Since taking charge of the national team over two and a half years ago, his record reads as less than impressive with 5 defeats in just 22 matches in charge.  His conduct since the World Cup: the infamous book, his relationship with Eileen Drewery and his poor handling of the David Beckham affair have not helped his cause.  However, his recent comments on the sinful past lives of disabled people have sparked  a chorus of calls for his head, fronted by the Prime Minister himself.

However, is Mr Hoddle's recent conduct worthy of the sack or is it just an excuse for the FA to remove the most unpopular England manager of all time?  After all the FA is an organisation in turmoil after the recent resignations of Graham Kelly and Keith Wiseman asks the question; were their actions what they thought was right or what they thought the public would like to hear? 

Where now for England?  The appointment of the tactically  naïve manager Kevin Keegan, who has stated that he doesn't want the job after the next four games, leaves England back at square one.  It would take a very brave, or stupid man to want the role now.

Jonathan Skinner

Why was Glenn Hoddle blatantly manipulating his public position of privilege and respect to constantly bombard us with his way out, worthless, mumbo jumbo? Why us, what have we done to deserve this punishment? After all these outbursts and mistakes how can he expect to survive in this notorious revolving door job, especially with his recent professional performance has been shown wanting in recent results.

After spouting off a worthless, degrading and offensive opinion, his fate was sealed.  Giving the chaotic FA this headache at such a critical time; and when most Lancaster Gate grey suit brigade would jump at any chance to stamp their authority on any ensuing matter, Hoddle had no-one else to blame for his downfall, which was helped by an army of enemies gained due to and diabolical man management.

The final chapter was inevitable, after the Prime Minister and numerous other popularity seeking cronies chipped in with their opinion in public. Has politics really stooped so low that the talking point is the same in both Westminster and pubs up and down the country?

The FA was right to give him the push, but the whole saga was an absolute farce. This was the final straw, it didn't just break Hoddle's back but I would say it crushed him.

Neil Vowles