PREP SPORTS ROUND-UP – 20 JUNE
Since half term we have been so busy with all the summer activities that we engage in at Warminster School. We have played tennis matches against Millfield, girls cricket tournament at Hazlegrove, rounders at Wells Cathedral, boys cricket against Chafyn Grove, athletics against Bruton school and the IAPS athletics South-West event. I must not forget the Wessex athletics meet at Walhampton Prep School for pupils in Years 3-5. Every child from Year 3 up has played in some sort of fixture over the last two weeks.
It culminated with a superb sports day last Friday. The weather forecast was awful, but in true British style we pushed on and the whole day started an hour late, but it was beautifully sunny by the afternoon. In the morning all pupils moved round and completed a rotation of field events including shot putt, javelin, ball throw, long jump and quoit throw. We did have to abandon the high jump as the run up was slippery and dangerous however!
Just before lunch the Year 3 & 4 pupils were able to volunteer to run the 600m race. Every athlete scores a point for their house if completed and every pupil did just that. This was followed by the 800m, where again all pupils in Year 5 & 6 took part. To me and the other staff this is the most important part of sports day, doing something outside your comfort zone for your team. Positions were not important, just taking part, and all athletes were cheered on.
A picnic lunch with parents came next and there were some fantastic offerings out there. As a teacher, a quick wander around enables you to have a few tasty snacks from different picnic baskets! After lunch we moved into the sprints, hurdles and relay races. There was some amazing running on display and a huge amount of effort by all. It was all recorded on Mr Fothergill's new sprint timer App. It recorded all pupils over the finish line and their time for the race. This was a massive help to all, as accurate decisions could be made.
The last race of the day was the whole house relay. This took just over ten minutes to complete as all pupils run at least one 100m leg for their house. Arnold were the winners followed by Ken, then Denys. The overall scores were so close with just the tug-of-war to go. This is such a popular event with the pupils and even more so with the parents. Ken won this event and also Sports Day, closely followed by Arnold, then Denys.
To finish, the Victor and Victrix Ludorum cups were handed out to the strongest male and female athletes in Year 6 that day. Cups were awarded to Oliver Nathan and Lottie Craven-Smith. These two also performed fantastically in the IAPS athletics event at Millfield School the week before.
A big thank you to Mr Edwards for his fantastic commentary throughout the afternoon, as it was second to none. We will miss this next year and will find it hard to replace his witty repartee. I think we need auditions for this important responsibility!
On Friday 10 June the Pre-prep also held their Sports Day. It had an Olympic theme with a wonderful ceremony at the end with some amazing samba music played by the children. The activities and races were as wonderful as always. A happy and great place to be for all those proud parents and grandparents. The winners of the Year 2 sports cup this year were Annabel Burdess and Bobby Edwards.
A big thank you to all the catering staff and the grounds staff, and also to Jon Edkins who, on behalf of David Wiltshire Photography, takes wonderful photos of these brilliant events.
Mrs Butterworth, Head of Prep Sport