The first half of term has been packed with a number of sporting events. Despite losing some cricket fixtures to the inclement weather we have managed to play a number of hardball and softball fixtures against Claires Court, Chesham and Herries over the last few weeks with a number of students in Years 4 to 6 getting the opportunity to represent the School. We still have cricket fixtures to complete and hopefully the improved weather will allow all of these to go ahead as planned.
We had the Year 3 and Year 6 Inter House swimming galas prior to the half term break, which were held at Risborough Springs Swimming Pool. These galas are always very enjoyable events and a chance for students to showcase the swimming skills they have been working hard to improve over the academic year. It was fantastic to see the swimming pool come alive as the students competed against each other and supported their teammates. Both galas were extremely close with Brunel triumphing in the Year 3 event and Seacole in the Year 6 one. Before we can crown an overall House swimming champion we have to complete the Year 4 and Year 5 galas which will be taking place towards the end of this term.
Mr Roberts also organised the first Gateway Biathlon which many of the Year 6 students opted to participate in. It was held at Risborough Springs Swimming Pool and involved the students completing a swim and then a run in the adjacent park. It was a really fun and enjoyable event as well as being a good test of the students physical endurance. We very much hope that this will become a regular feature in our sports calendar and that we will be able to open it up to students in other year groups.
On the Monday before half term, 25 students from Years 4, 5 and 6 travelled to the Bedford International Athletic Stadium to compete in the ISA London North Athletics Qualifiers. It was a fantastic event and the standard of athletics was extremely high. All our students acquitted themselves brilliantly and five of our students have qualified for the National Finals in Birmingham later this term. We are very much looking forward to seeing how these students get on in their events, which were the U9 Boys 600m, the U11 Boys long jump and the U11 Boys 4×100 relay.
In lessons students are continuing to work hard in preparation for their Sports Days and I hope that many of you will be able to join us at these events later in the term.