PREP SPORTS ROUND-UP – 30 JANUARY
We have been so busy at the Prep School with our sport.
Fencing club is a huge hit and the children are already ‘duelling’ with each other, and the coaches have taught the pupils how to referee. Following half term we will host a house fencing competition. I can often hear the words ‘en garde’ being shouted from the dining room! This club works brilliantly with the shooting club, which Year 6 pupils have been invited to each week at the Senior School.
The U8 & U9 girls have been playing superb netball against the following opponents; Royal High Junior School, St Margaret’s Prep, Port Regis, All Hallows, St Swithun’s, Forres Sandle Manor and Chafyn Grove. What a variety of schools! The girls have been perfecting their footwork skills by shouting ‘ice cream’ as each foot hits the ground. You cannot move the foot that lands as ice!
The U8 & U9 boys have also made a fantastic start to the hockey season and we have two U9 teams playing. They have played in several festivals, so will have completed matches against at least eight different schools. The U9 teams took part in the Monkton Combe Festival. The U9A group competed to a very high standard; they are a force to be reckoned with. I had great pleasure umpiring the U9B team, and the improvement made during the afternoon was a joy to watch. The U8 boys have proved their potential for the future already. They operate as a great team.
The U10 & U11 teams have a weekly match, and all boys play in a team. We have had a mixed bag of results, but many positive areas. The U11 team attended the U11 IAPS Hockey Tournament at Clifton College on Friday 5 February. The IAPS Hockey Tournaments are always tough, but a fantastic experience for the children. The team consisted of the following group;
Joshua Shaw – Captain (GK), Oliver Nathan, Ben Robinson, Thomas Muir, Wolfie Mowbray, Charlie Godfrey-Faussett, William Candy, Harry Butterworth & Oby Gompels.
In all, the team played seven matches. The boys finished in the top four of their group and qualified for the cup or plate competition. With one match left to play, the boys needed just a draw to compete in the plate semi-final. Sadly we had at least five shots on goal, but failed to convert. The opposition put two goals away. The squad scored six brilliant goals, one being lofted by Oliver Nathan into the top corner. Oby Gompels slotted two, through keeper’s legs and Wolfie Mowbray managed to hit both posts in a match; not sure he could do this again! Mr Evans and I were gutted for the boys, but so proud of their team work and effort.
The U10 & U11 girls have been playing fantastic netball. They have also had a weekly fixture and sometimes two. I am delighted with my captains, Isabel Woods and Lottie Craven-Smith. They are always encouraging to their team mates and praising when things go well, or not so well.
The children are totally committed to their sport and we are all encouraged by this enthusiasm. I say no school work, just sport, but that is my job!
Mrs Butterworth, Head of Prep Sport