Yesterday evening we competed for the first time in the Regional Gymnastics Schools Acrobatics and Tumbling Competition.  We took a team of 9 (having lost a team member to injury on Friday) from Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.  We were also joined by two student coaches; Bethan M and Molly H in Year 11 (who did an incredible job and we would not have been able to compete without their expert guidance).

 

There are two events in which to compete: tumbling, where the gymnasts perform 3 tumble runs (e.g. round off, flick walkout, flick, somersault) and pairs acrobatics floor routine, where the gymnasts have to perform a routine in unison and perform lifts and agilities.

 

This was our first year in the competition, so our goal was to give it our best, have fun and learn ready for next year.  The girls certainly did that and more.

 

Results for the U14 (Year 7-9 combined) tumbling competition:

Year 7

Amelia S-K: 13th

Darcey S-H: 9th

 

Year 8

Martha N: 10th

Mia G:  2nd

Brooke S: 1st

 

Results for the U19 (Year 10-13 combined) tumbling competition:

Year 10

Ellie W: 11th

 

Year 11

Summer W:  10th

 

Results for acrobatics pair floor competition:

Year 7

Amelia and Darcey:  9th

 

Year 8

Martha and Brooke:  13th

 

Year 9

Grace B and Tamara S:  1st

 

The gold and silver medalist tumblers and only the gold medalist pair progress to the National finals.  I’m sure you will all join us in congratulating all the girls and wishing Mia and Brooke (tumbling) and Grace and Tamara (acro pair routine) the best of luck for the Nationals.

On World Book Day (the best day of the whole year) the Library hosted our annual Big Book Quiz!

 

A record 38 people participated, in four house teams, and, in spite of a tie-breaker round, three of the teams – Alexandria, Avalon and Sempringham – tied for first place! Never before has this happened! What excellent book knowledge! And the Castille team was only one point behind, so frankly the whole thing was really very close. There were barely enough sweets to go around for all the winners.

 

Well done to everyone who took part, both students and staff: thank you so much for joining in. You are all winners because you know the joy that a good book can bring.

Public Health England - Priory Update

Public Health England - Priory Update 

The Year 8 girls this evening ventured out in the bitter wind to play against William Farr to continue their league success. Both teams struggled to settle into the flow of the game and, with the wind, the game was going to be very low scoring.  Both teams battled hard for every ball and at the end of the first quarter we were two goals down. With some fantastic defending from Poppy K and Poppy R, Will Farr could not play the ball into their circle to shoot. Louisa M and Charlotte N linked up well in centre court and Katie W had a succession of successful shots. At half time the girls were leading by one and worked well together fighting for every ball. There continued to be some great interceptions from Deejy and Jess in centre court and with Lucy B working hard in the circle to keep possession of the ball, LSST began to control the game and looked comfortable going into the quarter two goals up. In the final quarter despite the girls’ freezing cold hands they still managed to pass the ball cleanly down court and continued to create space to ensure the victory.

 

Final score 8-4 win

 

A great game ladies is such cold conditions.  Well done to all the students who took part. You were fab!

At the end of Module 3, Mr Brown collected over 300 items donated by students and staff at the Academy to take to the Teenage Cancer Trust Ward at QMC in Nottingham. The donations of toiletries will be used for young people who perhaps arrive unexpectedly without having time to pack essentials and will help provide great relief at difficult times for both the young people and their parents/carers.  Thank you for all your generous donations.