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Mr Rock's 100 Challenge
Our Head of PE, Mr Rock, has successfully completed an extraordinary 100-mile endurance challenge, raising thousands of pounds and inspiring the entire Isle of Wight community in the process.
Mr Rock crossed the finish line last Friday afternoon after completing “Mr Rock’s 100” – a gruelling challenge which saw him walk 100 laps of a one-mile course around our school fields without sleep.
The challenge began at 4am on Thursday 30 April and continued throughout the night before finishing on Friday afternoon, cheered on by students and staff.
Mr Rock undertook the challenge to raise awareness and funds for the Huntington’s Disease Association, a cause that is deeply personal to him and his family. He lost his father to Huntington’s Disease, and both he and his brother have tested positive for the condition and are symptomatic.
Despite the physical and emotional demands of the challenge, he showed incredible resilience and determination throughout. During the early hours of Friday morning, at around 1am, he faced one of his toughest moments and seriously considered giving up. However, with the support of those around him and his unwavering commitment to the cause, he pushed through and continued on to complete the full 100 miles.
As part of the event, students from Medina College and other local primary and secondary schools joined Mr Rock for sections of the challenge, helping to raise awareness of Huntington’s Disease among young people across the Isle of Wight.
On Friday, our school community also held a non-uniform day in the charity’s pink and green colours before gathering together to welcome Mr Rock across the finish line.
Mr Rock's challenge has so far raised an incredible £5,500 for the Huntington’s Disease Association, through his Just Giving page and money raised by the school.
Everyone at Medina College is enormously proud of Mr Rock’s achievement. His courage, positivity and determination have not only raised vital funds, but have also helped educate and inspire young people across the Island about Huntington’s Disease and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
Thank you to everyone in our community who supported the challenge through donations, walking with Mr Rock and sending kind words of encouragement. Thank you to Biltmore Printers for donating a fantastic custom 'Congratulations' banner to help us celebrate the finish line moment and, finally, thank you to the following schools who joined us during the challenge to walk, gained sponsorship money and even held their own separate fundraising events back in their own schools:
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On Tuesday 21 April 2026, Medina College hosted a vibrant and highly successful Evening of Excellence in Modern Foreign Languages, showcasing the remarkable dedication, confidence, and talent of students across multiple year groups.
Held in the beautifully transformed school library—decorated with French flags and Eiffel Towers—the event created an immersive and celebratory atmosphere that reflected the spirit of French language and culture. Every student who took part rose to the challenge of delivering a spoken presentation entirely in French, lasting between one and three minutes, demonstrating both courage and commitment to pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones.
The evening featured a wide range of engaging and personal topics. In Year 9, Tehya confidently described her daily routine, while Isabelle spoke thoughtfully about her family life and her ideal partner. Eloise delivered an insightful presentation on celebrities she admires and dislikes, as well as a balanced discussion on the pros and cons of fame. Michael spoke with enthusiasm about his hobbies, highlighting the important role that sport and music play in his life.
Year 11 student Mylea gave an eloquent reflection on how her free-time activities have evolved over time, including her participation in the Island Games in Scotland last year, demonstrating both maturity and how studies can impact free-time and hobbies which can, in turn, help to maintain positive mental health.
Year 12 and Year 13 students from The Island VI Form also delivered highly accomplished presentations, truly inspiring our younger students and allowing them to see the level that they could reach in just a few short years' time.
The evening was further enhanced by a distinguished panel of judges:
Sarah Kane, freelance translator for the arts
Léna Gravis, Editorial Development Manager at the Ellen MacArthur Trust
Sam Edwards-Labelle, Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at MMC Diving Services
Their feedback reflected the exceptional standard of the event. Sarah Kane commented: “I was absolutely blown away by the standard of all the students – I hadn't expected that level of fluency or accuracy at such a young age. It was quite incredible.”
Sam Edwards-Labelle added: “I was so impressed with the level I heard this evening. Thank you for reigniting my love of languages!”
Léna Gravis praised the cohort, stating: “The school should be very proud of having such talented students. They were simply exceptional.”
The evening concluded with an inspiring keynote speech from guest speaker Mark Walker OBE. He spoke passionately about the power of language learning and its role in building understanding between cultures. He emphasised how learning languages can strengthen relationships and even contribute to trust and peace at both national and international levels. He also highlighted the cognitive benefits of language learning, praising Mrs. Brear and the MFL Department at Medina College for its commitment to providing students with opportunities to challenge themselves and experience the “fight or flight” feelings that many people try to avoid. He commended the school for fostering resilience, confidence, and global awareness among its students.
The evening was a true celebration of linguistic ambition, academic excellence, and personal growth. Staff praised all participants for their confidence, resilience, and willingness to take on the challenge of public speaking in a foreign language. The event not only highlighted the strength of modern foreign languages at Medina College but also the bright futures awaiting its students.
Co-Head of School, Anna Mursell, said: “It was an absolute privilege to watch our students – ranging from Year 9 all the way through to Year 13 – presenting entirely in French to a live audience and a panel of fluent judges. Public speaking is a daunting task on its own, but to do so articulately in a second language in front of an expert panel takes a remarkable level of skill and bravery.
Watching them rise to the occasion perfectly summed up what our community stands for. These exceptional students truly embodied the Medina College values: Ambition, Courage and Confidence.
A huge 'merci' to our wonderful panel of judges for their time and expertise, to our fantastic speaker, to the caregivers who came out to support, to Mrs Brear for orchestrating the event and, most importantly, to our incredible students. You have made us all immensely proud!”
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