PREP SPORTS ROUND-UP – 7 MAY
We began with pre-season tennis training after the two tennis camps offered during the holiday. Tennis is growing all the time across the School. Some as young as four years old are rallying and learning how to score points. Thanks as always to Rory Smith our wonderful tennis coach for encouraging all pupils.
Many fixtures have been played in cricket, athletics and rounders. We have been making use of our new cricket net to practice with the hard ball. The first Saturday fixture included all year groups of girls involved with a fun cricket fixture against All Hallows. U8 girls played continuous cricket as it was a cold day!
The U8 & U9 boys have also played All Hallows, Claysmore Prep and Monkton Prep. Again in the match against Clayesmore a variation on the game was played, ‘diamond cricket’. This is a fast action, all singing all dancing fun game which occupies large teams of children.
The U10 & U11 boys have all taken part in a fixture against Port Regis, producing some great bowling, fielding and batting skills at all levels. The same age girls have played cricket and rounders, proving to be strong in both sports. Striking and fielding is good at Warminster Prep.
On Friday 29 April 34 children set off for Millfield Prep where they took part in five athletic events; hurdles, sprint, 600m, long jump and ball throw/javelin. For the youngest pupils it was a very different experience to pre-prep sports day but, as always, we had fun, some competitive moments and laughed a lot. It is good for our children to go out of their comfort zone, and they all coped extremely well. The staff felt proud of the whole squad.
We also hosted 75 primary school children for a fun tennis skills session. It was windy and cold, but it was greatly enjoyed by all the children from Crockerton, Chapmanslade and The Manor School. Looking forward to the Year 3 & 4 event in a few weeks’ time.
On Wednesday 4 May 18 Year 5 & 6 pupils ran, jumped and threw at the annual Clayesmore athletics event. Some outstanding individual performances, but also a great team effort. On the Thursday 16 Year 3 & 4 pupils played super tennis against All Hallows Prep. Some very advanced skills and tactics were on display. A little guidance into tennis etiquette needs to be addressed in terms of dance routines and singing on the court!
The Year 5 class from Woodborough School enjoyed a morning of tennis and cricket on Friday 6 May. They particularly talked about enjoying a delicious lunch in the dining room!
We were very happy to host Warminster Cricket Club U11 squad for a training match at the Prep school on Friday 6 May. Some children found it hard to choose whether they played for their school or club. It is great to see children playing in outside sports clubs. Two Warminster pupils battled it out against each other in a district cricket match on Bank Holiday Monday. One pupil represented West Wits and the other Kennet district.
The Year 5 & 6 girls enjoyed an afternoon of football coaching, showing off some high level skills. Some were really taken with the sport, which is always great to see.
We are very busy but all are taking part, including Year 2 pupils, in lots of after school clubs. On Saturday, Years 2, 3 & 4 are invited to a morning of tennis and athletics at the Prep Open Day.
Mrs Butterworth, Head of Prep Sport