News from the Westbourne House playing fields and courts...
Girls' Report by Mrs Cook, Head of Girls' Sports
As this half-term draws to a close, it’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown. It’s been a season filled with exciting fixtures, delicious match teas, and most importantly, a wonderful sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship.
I’m incredibly proud of the way our girls have conducted themselves both on and off the field. Their kindness towards one another, their respect for visiting teams, and their determination to always give their best have been truly inspiring. While victory is always welcome, it’s equally important to foster a love of sport and a desire to improve. I’m happy to say that our girls have embraced this philosophy, and I’ve seen significant growth in their skills and confidence. With this in mind, I'd like to draw attention to the following girls who were awarded Department Awards this term:
- Year 3 - Clare FY for her significant improvement in backstroke.
- Year 4 - Sammy E for increased resilience in hockey and netball.
- Year 5 - Izzy H-D for refining her backstroke technique.
- Year 6 - Ursula C for her speed and accuracy of shooting in the circle in netball.
- Year 7 - Rosie C for her really useful versatility in hockey.
- Year 8 - Hetty B for her ability to read the game well and apply various techniques in hockey.
It is lovely to be able to acknowledge the efforts of these girls in various areas of school sport.
Well done to Hazel B and Vivien O’S for earning their hockey colours in the second half of this term. A special shout out to the U11C hockey team for their undefeated season. An unbeaten season is never a goal of Westbourne’s: we like and aim for matches that are competitive and put pressure on the team to work together well and use the skills we have been practising during our games sessions. However, when an undefeated season comes along, we of course enjoy celebrating it!
This term we had two highly anticipated inter-patrol competitions: the intermediate netball and senior hockey competitions. The enthusiasm and dedication of all participants were truly commendable; you can see how important these patrol events are to the children.
As ever, the competition was fierce. Ultimately, the Panthers emerged victorious in the netball. In the hockey, the games were tight and exciting. The Owls clinched the top spot, with the Panthers putting up a strong fight and securing second place. With a first and second, Panthers are the ones to watch at the moment!
I look forward to seeing what the new year brings and wish you all a very happy Christmas holiday.
Boys' Report by Mr Hanley, Head of Boys' Sport
It seems incredible to be writing the end of term report already! We have played in excess of 150 matches this term in both football and more recently rugby, yet this term seems to have flown by. Since the last write up, we have seen the completion of the football season with the hotly contested inter-patrol football events. All three events were very evenly contested with some really high level football being played, but what was lovely to see was the teamwork and togetherness of all the patrols. Congratulations to the Tigers who won all three events this year. Work to do for the other patrols it seems!
Following the completion of our football matches, the rugby season swiftly got under way but not before Department Awards were given out for the football season to the following boys:
- Year 3 to Murphy M for an excellent first competitive football season.
- Year 4 to Bertie H for a huge level of improvement and composure on the ball.
- Year 5 to Sam B for excellent versatility and good all-round performances.
- Year 6 to Archie W for an excellent attitude and really pleasing progress.
- Year 7 to Stanley C for working hard and moving up three teams over the season!
- Year 8 to Freddie T for being the most improved player in the 1st XI and receiving his colours for football.
As a school we have made a really good start to our rugby. We have already played in excess of 30 matches not including tournaments, winning a little over 70%. Our U9s begun their journey in contact rugby with good performances at the Cranleigh tournament and our U8s enjoyed their first ever rugby matches against Amesbury and Barrow Hills. A special mention to the U10A and the U12 teams who to date have managed unbeaten seasons including some very competitive fixtures. Also to the U11A team who had an amazing day at the IAPS regional qualifiers, finishing 3rd overall. Rugby seems to be going from strength to strength at the school so hopefully this will continue into our matches next term and beyond.
Something our younger children aspire to is being a captain a senior 1st team or earning their sports colours. These honours recognise skill and playing standard, but also exemplary attitude, commitment, sportsmanship and positive influence on others.
Congratulations go to the following boys:
- Colours for football were awarded to Oliver O, Rocco M, Freddie T, Freddie W
- Our 1st XIII rugby captains for the season are Henry P and Freddie W
- Rugby colours have been awarded to Rocco M, Henry P, Freddie W
