Sport

Sports fixtures were not possible for much of this year, so House Sports became more prominent, helping to boost the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of our pupils. Thank you to our Sports staff for keeping our pupils motivated throughout the year to maintain an active lifestyle, both in school and at home.

St Peter’s 2-8

Super Sports The children at St Peter’s 2-8 have enjoyed practising their sports skills in their PE lessons this year. They have developed their throwing and aiming skills, dribbling skills, endurance skills and much more.

The children also enjoyed a return to competitive sport. In the autumn term, Year 3 participated in a House Hockey tournament, representing their respective Houses and showcasing their impressive skills.

Physical Education is a key area in the curriculum at St Peter’s with all children from Nursery to Year 3 participating in two specialised lessons each week. As the children move up the school swimming lessons become a fantastic addition to their physical education.

The children are taught the skills of many competitive games as well as gymnastics and dance. In Year 3 all of the children experience playing as part of a team in inter-school fixtures providing an important introduction to competitive sport.

Sports Day The sun was shining for our St Peter’s 2-8 Sports Day this year. Reception and Year 1 competed in the morning and Year 2 and Year 3 in the afternoon.

The children had worked extremely hard on their practical skills in their PE lessons and it was amazing to see them in action. The atmosphere was fantastic, and after a two-year delay, the children were finally able to compete! All of the children were brilliant, but a particular well done to Martha (Year 1) and Hugh (Reception) and to Micklegate for winning the Reception and Year 1 Sports Day trophy. Congratulations also to Edward (Year 2) and Noah (Year 3) and to Micklegate and Walmgate, who jointly won the Year 2 and Year 3 Sports Day. It was lovely to welcome parents to spectate both in person and via our live streaming platform. Whether virtually or in person, there was a wonderful atmosphere and the children absolutely loved it.

Particular thanks must go to Miss Flockhart, ably assisted by Miss Beaumont, who organised a fabulous day for the children.

St Peter’s 8-13

Remote Games Pupils at St Peter’s 8-13 stayed active at home during lockdown thanks to a full PE and Games programme developed by the Sports Department. The children have demonstrated curiosity and creativity by designing hockey obstacle courses in their gardens and homes, including the innovative ‘crockery hockey’. They have practised alone and with their siblings to improve their hockey drags, 3D control skills and movement patterns.

The Sports Department even hosted a House Hockey left/right drag competition, with each House averaging 40 drags in 30 seconds. Alcuin won with 41.23 drags followed closely by York with 40.28, Ainsty with 39.65, Fairfax with 39.62 and Elmet with 39.59. The girls have also created netball circuits to perfect their netball techniques and skills, including passing, pivoting, footwork and change of pace. Some pupils have been focusing on their stamina by completing the Couch to 5k whilst others have been developing their form and techniques with the Sports Departments PE fitness circuits. Mr Savage said: “We’ve been really pleased with the resilience and perseverance from children who have continued to play a full active part in physical education lessons at home. Their enthusiasm and dedication is clear to see.”

Sports Day The St Peter’s 8-13 Sports Day was totally different this year. It would have been incredibly difficult to welcome hundreds of spectators on campus along with 360 pupils, all mixing out of their bubbles, in a safe environment. So, instead, the St Peter’s 8-13 Sports Department decided to run each year group’s Sports Day separately. Normally the children only participate in about two events each, as every child in the school is competing on the same morning. However, this altered format gave the children the opportunity to compete in mini heptathlons, within their Houses. The children all took part in high jump, long jump, ball throw, sprints, middle-distance and long-distance runs. The seniors also had the experience of competing in the javelin, shot put and discus. During their PE lessons the children practised each event feverishly and then fortunately, we were able to pick five glorious afternoons when each year group could compete against the other Houses. Every child’s individual scores were added up with the rest of the House and we were able to calculate a House average.

It was a close-run affair with York winning on 65 points, Ainsty 67 points, Elmet 69 points, Fairfax 78 points and Alcuin 93 points. Ice creams, sunshine and lots of friendly competition meant that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

St Peter’s 13-18

Game, Set, Match In September we welcomed back recent leavers from the St Peter’s tennis team to play a friendly fixture against our current Upper Sixth on the newly built Clifton Courts. Following NGB guidelines, this was an excellent and close-fought match, with the Old Peterites coming out on top.

It was lovely to see our recent leavers and to have an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and enjoy some friendly competition. It was the first tennis match to be played on the new Clifton Courts, so it was an exciting game for our Old Peterites Sophie, Georgina, Leah, Stella, Polly & Katie! The pupils at St Peter’s 2-8 also use the Clifton Courts as a playground and our younger pupils enjoyed watching the tennis matches from a distance. Inter-House Sports Due to a lack of competitive fixtures in the autumn term, the Sports Department introduced competitive sport through Inter-House events. Pupils from the school’s ten Houses competed in their year groups each week to secure points for their Houses.

Sports included Hockey, Touch Rugby, Tennis and Football. A great variety of sports were played and it was also great to see a number of mixed events such as mixed hockey and tennis. The manner in which the boys and girls have worked together in teams has been a real success.

Stay Home, Stay Active Our Sports Department at St Peter’s 13-18 delivered another inspiring remote Games programme during the national lockdown in the spring term. Pupils enjoyed weekly fitness challenges every Monday, live strength and conditioning on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 5 minute ‘time out’ challenges on Fridays. House Challenges also continued remotely, including the 5k Challenge and the Inter-House Marathon. Well done to everyone involved, especially to Natasha who completed a solo marathon in four separate runs.

The latest House Sports Challenge was to create a symbol using strava or any other running app. We had some highly original entries including a dinosaur from Jodie, a dog from Kayla and the symbol of a mitochondria muscle cell from Mathew!

On 24 February, pupils also attended a talk delivered live on Zoom with Olympian Austin Smith, who discussed his cultural influences and Olympic journey. Mr Williams, Director of Sport at St Peter’s, said: “We are proud of all our pupils who have engaged with the co-curricular Games programme and the motivation they have shown to remain fit for their chosen sports, and also to our individual coaches.”

Henley Regatta Hannah and Sophie took part in the Henley Women’s Regatta on 3 July - the world’s premier international rowing regatta for women and the most prestigious Women’s Regatta in the country. We are so proud of them for meeting the high standard to participate in such a celebrated event!

Freddie’s Racing Success Freddie achieved his first ever podium result in racing in October, placing him in the top 10 in the British series of the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship. The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship is the UK’s longest running and most prestigious junior series for 14-17-year-old racing drivers. They provided the support race action for the British Touring Car Championship at Croft Circuit on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October. Freddie, aged 15, came home 6th in his first race and placed 2nd in his second race, achieving his first ever podium result. Rugby Dream Team Olly Tomalin was named one of the best U18 rugby players in England for the 2020/2021 season. The prestigious list of Top 15 Prospects for U18 rugby players was selected by NextGenXV, who cover and promote schoolboy rugby across the world. Olly was originally placed in the top 100 and then gained recognition in the top 15, which was announced on Wednesday 27 January 2021. Part of the Yorkshire Carnegie Academy, Olly has enjoyed several successes over the last 12 months, despite the restrictions imposed by lockdown. In April 2020, he was selected for the Schools Rugby Dream Team following an online public vote and in October he was selected by the England Rugby team to participate in one of two half term U18 Development camps. Judo Success Third Form pupil Tom has become one of the best young upcoming judo players in the UK. Tom was invited to train with Ashley Mckenzie, the leading Senior British male judo player (and one of the best in the World in his weight category), before Ashley departed to Tokyo to take part in his third Olympic Games. Tom has operated at a very high level in judo for several years now and was titled British Champion in 2018. His dedication to the sport and the training is unwavering.

Cricketer Schools Guide St Peter’s School, York, has once again been named as one of the top schools for cricket in the country by The Cricketer Schools Guide 2021.

St Peter’s is one of 170 schools featured in the issue, including the top 100 senior schools, the top 50 prep/junior schools and the top 20 all-girls schools. St Peter’s 13-18 has been selected as one of the top 100 senior schools in the country and St Peter’s 8-13 has been chosen as one of the top 50 prep/junior schools in the country. All entries were judged against an extensive set of criteria, which included a compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programmes and coaching. Gareth Sharp, Head of Cricket at St Peter’s, said: “Our inclusion this year in ‘The Cricketer’ Top 100 is credit and testament to the work and dedication of all those involved in our extensive cricket programme, from 8-18. The pupils and the coaching staff who devote their time and energy towards our beliefs and principles; as well as the wide support network behind the scenes who share our vision and show steadfast commitment towards cricket at St Peter’s.”