SPORT
Overview 2020-2021 After the year we had during 2019–20, we were all looking forward to things making a swift return to normality at the commencement of 2020–21; then we had to think again, and think again we did. A reshuffle of our Prep Games programme, including beginning with Cricket, was first on the cards and we have continuously thought outside the box to ensure that the Junior School pupils were still able to access a creative, diverse and forward-thinking sports and physical education programme. Rugby followed for the second half of the Michaelmas term, and with lack of daylight and dreary weather conditions mirroring our outlook it seemed that we would need to accept the fact that a normal sporting calendar was not going to be achievable. This notion was compounded by a second national lockdown post-Christmas and a return to PE lessons delivered from our living rooms. The Junior School PE team embraced the challenge with determination and the bit between their teeth, knowing the importance of regular physical activity in these challenging times. It was a delight to regularly see upwards of 70 Junior School students and their families joining in with our daily morning fitness ‘Move and Groove’ sessions. These alternated between aerobics-based sessions with Miss Morris, and a Joe Wicks/Mr Macklin style pupil friendly HIIT session! These sessions were just as beneficial for us as they were for our pupils, and it was wonderful to hear such positive feedback from those involved. We got creative during PE lessons with a focus on gymnastics throughout,
28
S T D U N S TA N ’ S C O L L EG E
whilst juggling and target and aiming skills were also developed. Throughout a difficult time, a special mention goes to those Prep and Pre-Prep pupils who attended every single morning fitness session; what a fantastic achievement! It was also great to see so many pupils participating in the whole school Strava challenge, and it was pleasing to hear of pupils dragging their families out for exercise in the name of their school Houses. We returned to school full of energy for the end of the Lent term, and pupils threw themselves back into sport with the resumption of PE, Games and after school activities. After the half-term break, we picked up rugby from where we left off in October, honing our rugby specific skills in the lead-up to our House Rugby competition occurring in the last two weeks of term. This was a brilliant
