We were delighted to welcome former Wallace Fields Junior School pupil Claudia MacDonald.
Claudia plays professional rugby for Exeter and has had 32 English caps reaching the finals in the World Cup and winning the last few six nations thanks to many of her tries. She spoke in the school assembly talking about how she first played tag rugby for our school, about her rugby career as well as fond memories of Wallace Fields Junior School. She spent all morning at our school, answered pupils questions, had a tour of the school and signed autographs.
"A very exciting end to the week with a visit from former pupil Claudia MacDonald who now plays rugby union professionally for England. She gave her time to talk in assembly about many topics including her route into professional rugby, working hard and how to approach challenges.
I remember Claudia well and she remembered many of the staff including Mrs Clayton, Mr Hurd, Mrs Bruen and Mrs Salam who were all here whilst Claudia was a pupil. Claudia took some additional time to talk with Year 6 after assembly and also had a tour of the school - recalling her old classrooms and remembering the great times she had here. She was ambushed a few times for autographs and she signed a vast amount of bits of paper.
She is currently injured - however she is on the television discussion panel before and after tomorrow's game between The Red Roses and Ireland at Twickenham (kick off is at 2.15pm), so look out for her there and enjoy the game! Claudia also donated a signed shirt from her World Cup kit and I would like to thank her very sincerely for the huge amount of time she committed to her visit to her old school.
We wish her well with her career and a swift recovery from injury." Mr Lee
Claudia's mum Jane, was a teacher at our school who sadly passed away when Claudia was 18, a number of years after, moving away. There is a bench in the quad committed to her memory, donated by the family and tended to by the children and staff.
The children were inspired by Claudia's confidence and resilient attitude and she explained how hard work get results. Our thanks to Claudia for spending time talking with the children and making time to sign autographs.
