News from the pitches and courts from the heads of sport, Clare Cook and Brandon Hanley
Girls' Report
The girls' games have kicked off to a brilliant start this year, with an array of fixtures and tournaments already played by teams across all age groups. From our youngest girls, who recently competed in their first-ever netball festivals, to our most experienced athletes participating at the IAPS, the energy and excitement on the field and courts have been palpable.
It’s always heart-warming to look around at this time of year and witness the varied levels of experience among the girls. I often find myself smiling as I remember that once, our current 1st team hockey players were themselves the U8s, enthusiastically running around the netball court, getting to grips with the basic rules. Those early years of learning, when the staff would smile and let play continue with a cheerful “play on” or “advantage,” may seem like a distant memory to them. But the journey is clear through watching all the year groups at their various stages. They have all, and most clearly seen in the seniors, come so far in their time at Westbourne House, and one thing is clear— our pupils' passion for sport and the joy of competing in Wednesday and Thursday fixtures are highlights of the week for many, boosted by the match tea!
One particular highlight this term was the remarkable achievement of our U10 teams at the Cranleigh tournament, where both teams emerged victorious in their respective competitions. What makes this even more special is that the win wasn’t determined by scores but by votes for talent and sportsmanship—an incredible testament to the girls' skill and character. Well done to both U10 teams!
The staff team are all eagerly anticipating what the rest of the term and the year will bring. With such an exciting start, we are confident that there are more successes on the horizon—fingers crossed the weather stays on our side!
Cross Country News
The cross country events were another strong start to the year. The Year 6 girls triumphed, winning the overall competition, while the Year 7s and 8s placed 2nd and 3rd in their respective events. A fantastic effort all around! A big well done to all athletes, boys and girls, who came away with a medal for placing in the top 10.
Boys' Report
It's hard to believe that half term is already here! In just a few short weeks, we've packed in an incredible 150+ football matches and nearly 20 tournaments. While we've had our share of wins (over 50%), we've also faced some tough losses. But that's all part of the learning process. Our busy match schedule helps us build resilience and learn how to bounce back from setbacks. It's not just about the wins; it's about growing as a team and developing the skills we need to succeed.
I wanted to celebrate some of the excellent individual and team performances we've witnessed in this half of term:
- Freddie Th's hat trick for the 1st XI
- Finn P's hat trick vs Aldro for the 5th IX
- Arthur D scored so many goals in a match for the U10s that everyone lost count
- The 1st XI's 5-0 win against Windlesham House
- Otto B for his four goals in one game for the U9s
- 3rd place finishes out of 16 schools for the U11A and 1st VI teams in the Lancing Prep Schools football tournament
- A fantastic 4-4 draw for the U9Bs v Windlesham, coming from 4-0 down
- An unbeaten season for the U11D to date
- Henry T for his hat trick against Windlesham House
It's been so good to see the development of all the boys over this half of term and now we look forward to the start of the rugby season and the hotly-contested inter-patrol football events.
Golf
We've had a series of friendly fixtures , enabling the children to meet and get to know their contemporaries from other schools and establish healthy rivalries. The team’s confidence is growing - well done everyone!
