Sports round up

CCF BRONZE DofE WITH A DIFFERENCE

Sherborne Girls has recently introduced the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), in collaboration with Sherborne School, as one of the many opportunities available to girls in

M5-U6. We meet once a week to learn new skills, and take part in fun group activities. Some of the things we have been able to participate in so far include learning drill movements; how to camouflage ourselves with face-paint; how to cook ration packs (known as rat packs) and also how to put up shelters. Our Sergeant is Eve Messervy (U6), and we have three Corporals: Honor Davis (L6), Lily Leaf (L6) and me, Hettie Dart (L6). It is our job to look after the girls and set an example for them so that one day they are able to fill our standardissue boots. The M5 recently performed excellently in their beret tests and they may now be seen on Wednesday afternoons wearing them with well-deserved pride. The girls’ and boys’ School CCF met for a Remembrance day parade, where we honoured those who died in conflict. We were so grateful to be able to participate in this event. I think I speak for all the cadets when I say how thankful we are that we have been given this amazing opportunity and we look forward to the time when we are able to train regularly alongside the boys at Sherborne School. Hettie Dart (L6)

Jemima Drummond (M5) writes about a different kind of Bronze expedition... DofE with a Difference

We were incredibly lucky to have been able to complete the majority of our volunteering, skills and physical sections needed for our Bronze Award before Coronavirus became an issue. We are extremely fortunate to live in such a beautiful area of Dorset that enabled us to successfully complete our two-day expedition. Although we were unable to travel great distances, we pitched our camp at the bottom of the lacrosse pitches and after our trek had a much-needed supper of pesto pasta and noodles, followed by a chilly night in the tents. The next morning the weather was beautiful and we set off again; when we eventually returned to

house after a tiring day and a lot of walking, we collapsed happily into our beds!

KEEP ON RUNNING

Harriett Townhill (U6 & XC Captain) writes about discovering a hidden talent through running in lockdown.

If you’d told me at the start of the year that by the summer holidays I would actually enjoy running, I would have laughed. However, when School began remotely at the end of April, I found myself voluntarily going for a run, and since then it has become a part of my everyday routine. Throughout the first month I struggled to make it very far without having to walk, however it soon became easier and I started to look forward to it every morning. In June I began attending Wimborne Athletics Club’s endurance sessions with my sister, and this drastically improved my fitness. Now that we are back at School, I run during games sessions and sometimes before lessons in the morning. In some ways, I have lockdown to be thankful for as I never would have started running without it. Now however, I can’t imagine my life without it!

SIXTH FORM FOOTBALL LEAGUE

The introduction of football last year has proved a huge hit, so much so, that the girls requested their own football league. So this term has seen the launch of the School’s Sixth Form Football League. Even driving winds and rain in the inaugural match didn’t dampen the girls’ spirits as they played as furiously as the wind was blowing. This particular activity looks set to be a permanent fixture on the sports pitch.

“In Nigeria, football is part of the culture, so having the opportunity to share it with girls who are equally as enthusiastic about playing is really exciting.”

Nicole Appleby (U6)

ABOVE PAR

I am lucky enough to be a part of the Sherborne Golf Club Junior Team. During what has been a most unusual year, we have played our way through several competitions in beautiful sun and even some storms. Through the ups and downs, we were able to complete the qualifying rounds and made our way to the Junior National Team Final. After a one week delay due to weather and squeezing in just before the second lockdown, we travelled up to Romanby, Yorkshire during half term for the final. After strong practice rounds on the Saturday, we were all very positive going into Sunday, but the excitement of competing at this level for the first time got the better of us and we finished 6th in the finals. I feel very fortunate to have been able to play alongside teammates from School (Lauren Carty L6), Sherborne School and The Gryphon. It was a fantastic experience, and we cannot wait to compete again next year.

Sport has one common theme: movement. Helping our pupils to understand, feel, and repeat good quality movement is, and should be, a priority in all our Strength and Conditioning (S&C) programmes.

We have seen a surge in the delivery of athletic development programming in schools and although these programmes are generally directed at the ‘elite’ groups, we should not lose sight of the fact that movement development is a life skill and is something that can benefit every pupil regardless of ability and level. The development related to an individual’s balance, co-ordination, kinaesthetic awareness, linear, lateral and vertical movement and postural control,

Elizabeth Ashford (U5)

LOCKDOWN SPORT

What do you do when stuck in lockdown with nothing to do? Invent a sport of course!

Normally I would love to play some lax in the garden or do some yoga, however after weeks consisting of me attempting to touch my toes (lockdown goal) and my dad chucking lax balls at me, I wanted a change... and ‘Rowcross’ was born! Rowcross is a unique blend of rowing and lacrosse. All you need is a lax stick (the bigger the better), a small body of water and some sort of flotation device – anything from a rowing boat to a raft will do. are all related to athletic performance but we also need to be aware that they are equally applicable to everyday life. Having applied similar movement development programmes to individuals with dyspraxia, I have seen a marked change in their movement competence and confidence, skill execution, sporting and physical engagement and, most importantly, their sporting enjoyment. So ideally, such a programme can be applied to all. Sherborne Girls has recently introduced a Multi-Dimensional Movement Programme in games lessons. The programme is integrated into our warm-ups and regularly delivers small doses of good

The rules are simple:

1. Row across your body of water 2. Get off your flotation device 3. Run towards your designated goal 4. Stand and wait for the shot.

Simple but fun!

I’m not sure it will ever be classed as an Olympic sport but it certainly kept me

Esme Beckly (U5)

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MOVEMENT

busy, fit and happy over the summer. quality movement ‘rehearsal’ in an educational but fun way. Helping pupils to understand what it feels like to achieve a ‘good movement shape’ is important and it is quite surprising how quickly pupils will say: “I landed on my heel”, as they start to feel what good movement is and they begin to self-manage their postural adjustments.

We have a duty to help all pupils develop an understanding of the life-long health and wellbeing benefits associated with physical activity and S&C can play a large role in the delivery of this.

Mark Spivey,

Head of Performance, Fitness & Wellbeing

The Music Department’s creative use of year group ‘bubble choirs’ meant they were able to record carols and music for a virtual Carol Service.

Sherborne Girls Bradford Road Sherborne Dorset DT9 3QN