From the Sports Master

from The Edwardian 2021-22

From the Inclusivity Co-Ordinator

A Return Of Optimism

The start of this scholastic year brought us as close to ‘normal’ as can be, with the re-introduction of our inhouse sports events. Post-Covid activities were characterized by the ‘bubble’ concept, which made it possible to return to our organized sports activities.

Back in October, Physical Education lessons at the start of the scholastic year were based on a number of non-contact, individual, skill-based exercises. After the first couple of weeks these were slowly shifted to ‘small bubble’ groups which in turn adopted the ‘class bubble’ concept in the Junior School and the ‘year group bubble’ concept from the Middle school upwards for the remainder of the year.

Sports activities outside PE kicked off with ‘St Edward’s Day’ on the 13th of October. Even though this year we had no Old Boys coming over to College, our students celebrated the day through various sporting activities bringing the school back to life! Basketball, Football, Tennis, Athletics, Obstacle courses, together with a number of other small side games, entertained the College students in the attempt to commemorate our Patron Saint by celebrating through sport.

Sports Days and Sports Festivals had also been reintroduced. Kindergarten, Early Years, Junior School, Middle, Senior and IB saw the reintroduction of Sports Days in the respective sections. These had to be scattered over a larger number of days to allow us to follow all Covid measures in force at the time of the event. Spectating parents had also been allowed in college for the first time in a while, following the pandemic restrictions being eased by the Health Authorities. Even if at a distance, parents could once again participate in their children’s sports’ experience, being it the celebration of success or participation itself.

Another traditional Sports event which was held this past scholastic year, was the Inter-House Cross-Country. The houses of Campbell, Congreve and Ducane competed across the years from yr4 upwards. These had also been split into bubbles, with the junior school having races within the class, other than a year group competition. The classic Bastions’ run which is so popular amongst all Junior School boys and which enhances the much-needed sense of camaraderie within houses, as it is by far the most inclusive competitive sport at College, with one common goal- House points.

In the meantime, throughout the year, the pitches started getting back to life with the re-introduction of the Inter-House competitions for 5-a-side Football and 3v3 Basketball, which took place during the 40min breaks which were available this year.

On a different note, this year unfortunately, we were still unable to have inter-schools’ competitions. Both MSSF and Sportmalta opted for a ‘better safe than sorry’ policy. As a result, this past year we did not have school teams competing with teams representing other Church, Private and Independent Schools.

Last but not least, the Sponsored Walk was also reintroduced for the whole school. This year, separate routes/times were introduced to avoid yet again mixing of ‘bubbles’ throughout the walk.

The absence of the walk for the previous two scholastic years, made it easier for our students to appreciate the rich historical background surrounding our College and the nearby areas. This event was one of the key factors in enhancing ‘Togetherness’ as a College once again.

Sports is all about action, as a result nothing expresses action better than pictures. Pictures capture the expression on the faces … struggle, pride, effort, disappointments, are all part and parcel of the journey of sport.

The following pictures should give you a taste of the sporting experience at College. Enjoy!

Paul Ferrante Head of Sports