Besides achieving a 100% Matric pass rate each year, Woodridge College & Preparatory School, based just outside Port Elizabeth, has continued to produce top sportsmen and women, particularly hockey players, for the nation.
With the approach of providing a holistic education, intended to develop the body, mind and spirit, the school employs passionate and professional trainers and provides world class sporting facilities on its 365-acre campus. Children are encouraged from a very young age to explore their sporting talents, while they spend a large component of the curriculum in the outdoor classroom.
The sporting facilities include three Artificial Surface Fields (one Main and two Mini Astro Turfs); eight Tennis Courts; two Squash Courts; three Swimming Pools; four Cricket Fields; four Rugby Fields; a Weights Room; five Netball Courts; Mountain Bike Trails; Trail Running Routes; an Archery Range; Climbing Wall, Ropes Course, Assault Course and Zipline.
In addition, there is an abseiling venue, called School Rocks, a nature reserve and an Equestrian Centre with Dressage Arena, Show Jumping Arenas with a Mounted Archery Lane, Eventing Course, a lunging ring and stables. (Read more on this centre HERE).
Woodridge – A top hockey School in SA
Woodridge College has excelled in several national Hockey events. In 2018 they had four unbeaten teams in the school league. These included 1st XI boys and girls, as well as u16A boys and u14A girls. 2019 Saw their highest number of provincial representatives – 36 players, of which six made various age group SA National teams.
Each year over the Easter weekend, Woodridge hosts 12 teams from the top Eastern Cape co-ed schools at their u16 Hockey festival. Woodridge hockey players, from u14A through to the 1st teams, also travel all over the country attending some of the biggest hockey festivals.
With many of the coaches having played at provincial and national level themselves, there is no shortage of experienced leadership on hand.
Edith Molikoe – a Woodridge College success story
One great example of an all-round success story, both in the classroom and on the sports field is Edith Molikoe.
Molikoe, who was also the 2019 Head Girl at Woodridge, has made a name for herself as a top hockey player. As the Woodridge College senior female hockey team Captain, she led the team to success in several regional and provincial school hockey tournaments, and was subsequently selected to represent South Africa in the under 16, 18 and 21 categories, on the global stage – including at the Olympics!
Since then, the awards have not stopped rolling in, among them, being named the Hockey24Seven under-20 female indoor hockey player of the year as well as being crowned top player at various school tournaments.
Much has been written about Molikoe in the local media. She comes from a humble background and started hockey when she was just eight years old. While playing for Charlo Primary, her talent was noted by Woodridge College scouts, who offered her a bursary.
Molikoe seized the opportunity and began playing for Woodridge College in Grade 9 and achieved her 100th cap in her Matric year.
“Edith joined Woodridge College in Grade 8 in 2015. She was given a full bursary and was placed into our Boarding establishment. She took on all the opportunities afforded to her in her time at Woodridge,” notes Woodridge College Headmaster, Derek Bradley.
“She was fortunate to have had an outstanding mentor in Maxime Bird, who was also her House Parent in Boarding and her Hockey Coach.”
Bradley says Edith is a fine young lady, who through her interaction with peers and those pupils in junior grades, had shown strong leadership qualities.
“These qualities were easily identified by many of the pupils and staff, which resulted in her being selected as the Head Girl in 2019. Being a natural leader, she did extremely well in this position,” he adds.
“Her success in hockey has been through hard work and dedication. Her selection to the SA woman’s Olympic squad last year was testament to her work ethic and talent.
“She has been a true ambassador for Woodridge, her province and the country.”
Molikoe believes being at Woodridge College enabled her to fully pursue and realise her potential.
“Being at this school has no doubt opened doors for me,” she told a local paper.
To find out more about Woodridge College & Preparatory School, call 041 492 0005 (College switchboard) or 041 492 0006 (Prep School switchboard). You can also email admissions@woodridge.co.za today. Visit them at www.woodridge.co.za or follow them on Facebook HERE. Here is their location on Google Maps.
