Running, jumping, throwing, hitting and catching all features in this week’s Sports News!
As seems to be the case quite often with the Sports News, I will start this week’s newsletter by casting my mind back to last week! Last Friday, 26 students from Year 3 to Year 8 travelled to Blundell’s to participate in the annual Blundell’s Prep School Athletics Competition, the standard of competition was extremely high and once again ECS athletes rose to the occasion with some outstanding performances. All students showed great grit and determination in what was a very hot afternoon, noteworthy performances included Charlie B and Tomma C in the Discus, for both this was the first time they had ever thrown a discus! The U11 girls’ 4x100m relay team continued their impressive showing by finishing 2nd in a very fast race, Isabella P-J was victorious in the girls’ Open Shot Put and came second in the girls’ 1500m, Jack Pool ran impressively for 2nd place in the 800m and Bea O-S won both the Hurdles and Long Jump. A big thank you to Blundell’s for hosting a wonderful event and we look forward to returning next year!
The Athletics action didn’t stop there though, on Monday ECS hosted a Year 3 – 6 Athletics Festival at Exeter Arena which 4 other schools attended, Exeter Junior School, Trinity, Plymouth College and St John’s. Once again on a very hot and humid afternoon there were some brilliant performances by ECS students. Bea W won the girls’ rounders ball throw and Hurdles, the girls’ U11 4x100m relay team once again finished 2nd, Jack Pool took first place in the boys 800m, Poppy M won the 800m, and a special mention to Archie S who exceeded expectations in the high jump in only his 2nd ever competition at that event. Overall it was a fantastic afternoon which produced a tight finish in the overall standings, ECS finished in 3rd place, Exeter Junior School in 2nd, and a very strong Trinity team taking the victory. Thank you to all the staff involved in running events on Monday, thank you to maintenance team for keeping the students, staff and spectators well refreshed and watered, thank you to the catering staff for providing the refreshments and teas, and finally thank you to Mrs Ross who organised an excellent afternoon of sporting activity.
On Wednesday the Athletics took a back seat as rounders and cricket took over. The boys’ U11A&B cricket teams hosted St Peter’s at the County ground, both teams played well but ultimately lost out to St Peter’s teams who were slightly better organised in the field and took catching and run out chances which were presented to them. The U10A and U11A&B girls’ rounders teams all travelled to St Peter’s for an exciting afternoon of rounders action, in what was described by Mrs Norris as one of the most exciting games of rounders she has ever witnessed, the U11 girls’ lost out by 1 rounder. Felicity B and Hannah G were awarded Players of the Match for their contributions. The U10 team also played extremely well in a close match and were unfortunate to also lose out, Xanthe S was awarded player of the match.
There has also been success outside of school this week to celebrate, Hannah G took part in the Exmouth Triathlon and performed extremely well, going for a run straight after a cycle which was straight after a swim is physically challenging and a brilliant achievement. Bella P-J also competed in another multi discipline event but in the Athletics arena, Bella was crowned Devon Champion in the Pentathlon, an event which required her to compete in the 70m Hurdles, 800m, High Jump, Long Jump and Shot. Well done to both girls! As also we are really keen and excited to hear about achievements outside of school so please do let you form teacher, myself or Mrs Ross know so that we can celebrate these successes.
Finally, on Friday afternoon Junior Sports Day is taking place (or will have done by the time the newsletter goes out), I look forward to providing a full debrief after half term!
All that’s left to say is have a lovely sporting filled Bank Holiday weekend and Half term, I know everyone will also join me in wishing Exeter Chiefs good luck against Saracens in the Premiership final at Twickenham tomorrow, not least because a celebrating Mr Featherstone is the last thing we need on the first day back after half term!
Mr James Kelly
