Bowling Festival
The following are comments from Staff & children from both King Edward VI High School and the primary schools that took part in the bowling festival on 15th & 16th April. There was an excellent report in the Staffordshire Newsletter the following week.
From Staff:
"The visit be Helen Reeves was inspirational - we actually touched an Olympic Medal & what a lovely personality.
"Well organised festival - the children & parents loved it. Thank you to the sports leaders. Please convey thanks to the Morley's for giving up their time"
"Parents and children were thrilled to meet Helen Reeves especially as she was so delightful with them and inspired them with her introductory talk"
From King Edward's Sports Leaders:
"I felt like the event went really well. The children seemed to be having a great time. They all joined in and were smiling throughout. Even some of the teachers joined in!"
Kyra Y10
"The atmosphere at the bowling festival was happy & relaxed. All the helpers had fun showing the children what to do, although some of us weren't very good!
"We found out that we were going to meet Olympic bronze medallist Helen Reeves. This held particular interest too me as I used to do Kayaking myself, and my Aunty still does. When she told her story I found it amusing that the 1st time that she went kayaking she hated it!
"Helen Reeves told us about the mix up with the scores, I thought, firstly, that must have made it even more exciting, and secondly that poor other person! It was really exciting to see her medal. We were all really surprised at how heavy it was, it was so amazing to hold it and know just how much effort she had put into winning it.
"When she told her story again to the children, you could tell that they were all in awe of her, and their faces lit up when they were allowed to hold the medal. It was really inspiring to meet someone who was so dedicated to something.
"I talked to some of the children about the bowling festival, they all told me about how they got whatever score. It was really rewarding to know that they were so proud of what they had done. Some even expressed wishes to do more bowling in their own time.
"When they weren't playing they were talking to Helen. I myself had a few conversations with her. She wasn't at all conceited as some people would be in her position.
"The festival went really well and everyone seemed to be having a good time"
Rosie Y10
"I think it is a good idea to run festivals for sports that most people are not familiar with, because it gives the children, parents and leaders an opportunity to try a new sport. I enjoyed the training because it helped me explain to the children what they had to do.
"I also thought it was a good idea to let the parents join in with the activities. The children encouraged the parents to join in and the parents encouraged the children. There was an air of competitiveness in some groups, but I feel this was a positive thing because it made the event interesting and gave people a sense of achievement.
"Helen Reeves came to the festival on the 1st day. It was really inspiring to hear someone else's story of success. It was good for the children participating to see an Olympic medallist. The parents were fascinated by her visit"
Stephie Y10
"I thought that the children really enjoyed the bowling festival. The schools cheered when someone got a high score, so I could see that they were enjoying it.
"Before the event I was excited to take part, during the festival I had a laugh with the groups and afterwards I was tired out.
"The children liked us helping them, they responded well, I wasn't shy, nor were they, we got on great.
"The children & parents were happy. I know this because they said that they would like to do a festival like this again"
Sarah Y10
Y5 & Y6 High 5 Netball Festival
5th June 2008
- 7 teams from 5 primary schools entered the Netball Festival.
- This was a friendly event, with many children playing in their 1st netball matches against other schools
- 6 Girls from King Edwards umpired the whole event
- Mrs Young acted as official timekeeper
- Mrs Witts as photographer
- Around 70 children participated
- Parents and friends came to support the event
Comments from staff
"Thank you for organising the festival, it was really good us all going to a central venue, it created a great atmosphere, and it saved on petrol!"
"The children really enjoyed the experience. They had a great time"
"It was super to see some of our former pupils having the confidence to umpire the games"
Comments from Sports Leaders
"To start with it was really difficult umpiring, but it got easier"
"I really enjoyed it, when is the next one?"
"The children looked like they really enjoyed it"
Transition & Training New Sports Leaders
20 Year 9 Students were selected to be trained as new sports leaders. They then put their newly learned skills into practice when they were involved with Y6 - Y7 transition programme. Each of the Year 9 students ran a sporting activity. The Y6 students rotated around the stations.
Comments from Year 9 Sport Leaders
"I enjoyed helping with the Y6's and I felt that they enjoyed their sample of PE"
Lois
"I think we all felt confident and happy which made the experience enjoyable"
Abigail
"I think that the children enjoyed the afternoon because they were all smiling and laughing"
Deana
"I think they enjoyed it because they were all happy. I enjoyed it because it was a fun thing to do"
Tony
"I felt nervous at the beginning, but when I got started I felt fine and it went successfully. The children were very well behaved & polite"
Kayley
"I felt a bit nervous at first but then enjoyed myself so did the other children and would love to do it again"
Emma
"I think it went well because all of the students enjoyed it"
Josh
"All the kids I had enjoyed doing cricket, they asked me lots of questions. The children were all smiling"
Ashley
"A couple of the children were shy, but most of them were happy and did enjoy playing cricket with us.
Matthew
"The children seemed to enjoy it, they were lively & active. The children were polite and did what they were asked to do, which was good"
Elizabeth
"I enjoyed working with the Year 6's because they were really energetic and really wanted to join in."
Chelsea
"I enjoyed helping the younger students as it was great to see them smiling and to feel that I was partly responsible"
Jess
"Before we did the event I felt excited. Afterwards I felt glad that I did it and I would to do it again"
Amy
"I thought it went well and the year 6 really enjoyed it. I think I might try to come afterschool. Thank you for letting me take part"
Daniel
"The event went really well. At the end of the event my group said 'thank-you' to me and my partner and I thought that was nice. I was a bit worried at the beginning because I have not really worked with younger children before, but it went really well, and I'm glad that I have done it, and I would love to do it again. The event could be improved by having more time because then they would have more chance to do all of the activities"
Cassie
Y3 & Y4 Football, Y5 & Y6 Hockey Festival
24th June 2008
On a sunny afternoon at King Edward VI High School two festivals took place on the school fields.
Andy Sinton, winner of 12 full England International Caps (under the management of Graham Taylor), and current Fleet manager gave a motivational speech. He spoke to all the competitors at the beginning of the after school festival.
The children then split up into the two competitions.
Andy gave each of the football teams a short coaching master class in football. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the skills and tips that Andy taught them.
All 57 of the matches were refereed by Y10 and Y12 students from King Edward VI High School. Other sports Leaders from King Edward's recorded scores and acted as time keepers
It was a most successful event. All of the participants and officials enjoyed the experience. It is one of many festivals that has been held at King Edward VI High School this year. As part of their role in the Stafford & Stone School Sport Partnership they are continually trying to increase both the number of children participating in and acting as Sports Leaders in a variety of activities. Festivals like this one increase children's competitive experience through inter school competition.
Year 5 & Year 6 mixed hockey.
7 teams took part
· 2 from Doxey
· 2 from Castlechurch
· 1 from St.Paul's
· 1 from St. Lawrence
· 1 from Church Eaton
In a very closely fought competition the winners tied on points, decided on goal difference were Doxey, 2nd place St Lawrence, 3rd Castlechurch.
Year 3 & Year 4 mixed football
9 teams took part
· 2 from Castlechurch
· 2 from Doxey
· 1 from St. Paul's
· 2 from St. Lawrence
· 1 from Church Eaton
· 1 from Haughton St. Giles
In another close competition Haughton St Giles were crowned champions. They received their winner's shields from Andy Sinton, winner of 12 full England International Caps under the management of Graham Taylor. Church Eaton were runners up with St. Lawrence in 3rd place.
Comments from Staff
"The referees were excellent. All our children thoroughly enjoyed the events"
"Thank you, the school council had requested more competitive games, this proved to be very popular"
"Thank you very much for organising the festival. From all the children & staff involved"
Comments from Parents
"Thank you for organising another great event. They are so popular, when the letters are given out (at the primary school) he (my son) insists that I sign it immediately. He doesn't want to miss the opportunity"
The Staffordshire Newsletter published a large feature of the festivals the following week.
Olympic Event & Sportsday
2nd July 2008
To recognise the fact that 2008 is an Olympic year we held a Mini Olympics at Rowley Park.
King Edwards KS3 sportsday was combined with a Year 4 multi skills festival. This Olympic Event took place in national school sport week.
Elite Synchronised Swimmer (Ex King Edward VI High School Student) Zoe Cooper was present at the event all day. She gave a motivational introduction to the participants at 10.30am, outlining what it takes to be an elite athlete in a sport and how important participation and dedication is. Her bubbly enthusiasm was infectious. Many of the children had their photographs taken with Zoe and her World championship medals. She circulated around the groups and helped with the events. Zoe was in her representative GB kit. As Zoe has been selected for the 2012 GB squad, it was appropriate that she was at this Mini Olympics event.
Below is an outline of Zoe's recent achievements:
Competitive Achievements over the last two years.
World Masters San Francisco 2006 - Bronze solo, silver team
Egypt Open 2006 - Gold solo, gold team
British Masters Champs 06- Gold trio, Silver Solo, Bronze duet
Midlands Open 06- Gold solo, gold duet
British Championships 06-6th solo, silver team
Runner up for Staffs sports performer of the year 2006
Scottish National Championships 07 - Gold solo, gold duet
British Masters - Gold Solo, silver duet
Selected for GB 2012 squad May 07
Great Britains Synchro athlete representative on the British Athletes Commission
British Championships 07-solo 6th, duet 5th
Staffs ASA - MG memorial award 2007 for outstanding contributions to synchro and my GB selections. The first person to recieve this award outside of the swimming discipline and the trophy ahs been going since 1962! My name is now among top swimmers such as Nick Gillingham, Terri Dunning and Chris Fox.
Wrold Masters Perth Australia - 5th solo, 9th Duet
Future competitions she is training for in 2008
German Masters - July 08,
Midland Championships Sept 08
Scottish Nationals Oct 07,
British Masters Nov 08,
British Champs & GB selection Dec 08
- 183 year 4 children participated in this multi activity event
- 47 year 10's organised the events, some as volunteers and some as part of their OCR 1st National course.
- Year 12's assisted with the KS3 events
- A number of Y11 & Y13's returned to help out during the day
· All Year 4's from Castlechurch, Church Eaton, Doxey, Haughton St. Giles, St. Lawrence and St Paul's participated in a rotation of 8 events
The multi skill based events included sprinting, sack races, egg & spoon races, standing long jump, target throws, football & skipping relays, shuttle runs and hockey based relays
Comments from Staff
"The children have had an excellent day. Thank you for organising it, it has given me lots of ideas that I will take back to school!"
Doxey
"Just to say thanks for yesterday. The organisation was good - as usual!!
On arriving back at school I asked the children for their thoughts: -
Good!
Great! - lots of these sort of words
Liked meeting new friends, they looked out for me.
Leaders were fun, had a joke with us.
More competitive than our school one.
(I think they were trying to say that it was more relaxed because it was
run by children for children.)
There was not one child who said that they didn't enjoy it.
A very successful day. Well done"
St Lawrence
"Everything went really smoothly with the children having a lot of fun. I heard comments of that was a really great day, I really enjoyed today and they all couldn't wait to get their certificates in assembly on the Friday. Many congratulations on such a successful day which must have taken immense organisation."
St Paul's
St Paul's Sports Day
Following their successful input to the primary Olympic event five year 10 students were requested by St. Paul's to act as sports leaders at St Paul's sports day on Tuesday 15th July.
Stephie Wood
Kim Scotter
Bill Evans
Greg Pattyson &
They helped organise a variety of races and organise equipment throughout the morning.