Report on the ISA Swimming Gala on Monday 8 December
12th December 2014
When the organisers of this London based gala changed the start time from 1100 to 0900 I was very concerned that rush hour traffic would mean a hectic start to the day but I needn’t have feared, for the coach and the children were all on time for a 0705 departure, so thank you to all parents for this. We arrived at the pool in Barnet at 0835 and were able to go straight into the changing rooms.
This year there were more schools entering therefore there were two heats in each category. The gala began shortly after 0900 with the Individual 50 metres Year 6 fly races, followed by the backstroke, freestyle, and breaststroke races for each age group. All our pupils gave their very best and as the morning progressed so did the confidence and the success of our children. All performed respectable positions in their heats even if they did not come in medal positions overall. The official results have not yet been sent out, we are therefore unsure of the overall team position but I am hopeful for a good one. As their medals have already been given, the following places are certain.
We finished the individual section with
1 Gold and automatically through to the nationals (Chantel O - Breaststroke)
3 Silver (Jessica C FC), (Chantel O- Backstroke) & (Isabella J - Backstroke),
3 Bronze (Alex C –Backstroke), (Hannah M FC) & ( Jessica C - Breaststroke)
as well as several in 4th place over the 2 heats, just missing out on the medals.
The Freestyle relay events are always popular and in this the Gateway children pulled out all the stops and performed exceptionally well, I think all the practice at squad training must have payed off as we gained medals in all but one relay, gaining overall.
2 team Gold (Yr 6 Girls, Yr 5 Girls),
2 team Silver ( Yr 4 Girls, Yr 5 Boys) and
1 Team Bronze (Yr 6 Boys).
Chantel O has also been selected to represent the London North in the Medley Relay while Jessica C, Zach R and Hannah M have been selected for the Freestyle Relays in the ISA Nationals which this year will be held at the London Aquatic Centre. What an opportunity to swim in the same pool as Olympians!
I was once again extremely proud of all the children for their determination and effort but also for their superb behaviour, receiving comments from one of the timekeepers congratulating our school on the way they support each other and other schools was indeed rewarding. The children finished the day having their packed lunches before heading back to school excited, having enjoyed their day. I would like to thank all parents for their support throughout but especially to Mrs Chandler, Mr Judge and Mr Grosse for their superb help yet again.
The Gateway Squad
Year 6 Jack W, Zach R, Alex C and James M, Chantel O, Jessica C, Sophie A and Amy H
Year 5 Cormac N, Ethan H, Cai L, Jack W and Harry H, Hannah M, Jessica C, Isabella J, Esme Y and Evie F
Year 4 Abigail H, Josie G, Lily P and Amelia O
Thank you and a very well done to you all! Mrs Hughes