Spring 2013
Wirral Grammar School for Girls | PE Newsletter
IT HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC SEASON OF NETBALL
At Wirral we have: hosted the Wirral Schools’ and Merseyside Schools’ tournaments; we have travelled to Keswick for the Regional round of the National Schools’ netball with all teams; we have hosted an Australian touring team; we have competed against some of the top local schools in Saturday matches and we have played a huge number of matches against local schools often Bielding A, B, C and D teams in the younger years.
National Schools’ Netball Competition You may have read that earlier in the term all of our teams qualified for the regional round of the National Schools’ Netball Tournament. As the highest participation school sport this has involved beating opposition from a huge number of schools. Wirral were one of only two schools who had qualified a team for this round in every possible age group (even our younger teams qualified but as a rule we could not enter more than one team in each category). The tournament was held at Keswick High School with the fantastic backdrop of the lake district. We travelled from school on Friday with a coach full of apprehensive but excited players, coaches and parents. Friday night was for relaxation and carbo-loading and Miss Taylor had booked us into a great Italian restaurant that met these criteria
perfectly! There was a great team vibe and
t o u r n a m e n t ) . T h e i r q u a l i fi c a t i o n t h e n
even a little bit of entertainment from the staff
depended on their last match and when they
and parents.
went down 5 goal to 1 it looked to be all over.
The senior team were drawn in a very
However, steely determination helped them to
competitive section of the tournament and
pull the game back to 5 – 5 only for a couple
played some fantastic netball, they beat some
of decisions to go against them and the final
very strong and renowned teams including
score was 7 – 5 to St Michael’s. They were
Stoneyhurst and Sedburgh. Out of the 4
gutted but we could still go through on goal
teams in their section 2 are national finalists
average. A tense wait outside the officials
as North West netball amongst the best in the
room followed but we hadn’t done quite
country so the team played very well against
enough this time. It was a true tournament of
the best teams in the UK.
highs and lows for the Year 9 team in their first
The Year 11 team also played some great
Nationals experience. They played some of
netball, the triumphed over the Isle of Mann
their best ever netball, staff commented on
and QUEGS, had a very close battle with but
the quick thinking and interceptions made by
lost to Christleton and lost 9 – 6 to
Kate Goacher and Georgia Hayes led by
Penwortham who are national finalists. They
example as captain giving 110%. They all
finished 3rd in their tricky section.
displayed great determination and team spirit
The year 9 team had an excellent start to
and should be very proud of themselves, they
the day, drawing their first match with Helsby,
will use this experience to help them next time
beating both the Cumbrian teams and losing
they enter a competition of this scale.
to Saddleworth (the eventual winners of the
Wirral Girls PE Newsletter - Spring 2013 - page 1
In the Year 8 competition our 3rd and 4th
Australian Tour Right at the start of the year Wirral Grammar School welcomed Netball and Rugby teams and their coaching staff from Merewether High School, Newcastle, Australia. The teams arrived from Birmingham and were collected by host families who volunteered to look after our guests and give them an insight into Wirralian life. Friendships formed quickly but these were put to one side on Wednesday afternoon for some competitive and closely fought matches. Our Year 10 and 11 team beat Merewether 21– 19 and our Senior team narrowly lost. A big thank you to all the host families, our guests had
team played really well and the 3rd team had a good win against St Mary’s and a draw with Prenton. Our ‘B’ team played some great stuff and had wins against Birkenhead Academy, Prenton, Wirral ‘C’, St Mary’s and West Kirby ‘A’. Our ‘A’ team had impressive wins against Birkenhead School, Hilbre 17 -1, Wirral ‘D’. Plessington 12-1 and Upton 15 -1. In the semi final our ‘B’ team had a great win against Birkenhead School and our ‘A’ team won against West Kirby 11 -2 to set up an all Wirral Final. In the final the ‘A’ team just shaded it to become Wirral Schools Champions with the ‘B’s finishing as runners up.
number of matches against other school’s A
a great experience and enjoyed their trip to the
teams. Georgia Hayes and Jess Kennedy
Wirral.
showed great captaincy and led by example.
Wirral Schools’ Netball Tournament Years 7 and 8.
The Year 10 team showed great teamwork throughout the afternoon as they always do.
Merseyside County Netball Finals
The Year 7 and 8 Wirral Schools’ Netball Tournament was held at school on Saturday
The Merseyside County Netball Finals were
16th March. The best achievement of the
held at school on Saturday March 9th. The
morning was that we had four year 7 teams and
County Finals are for the teams that finish in first
four year 8 teams representing school.
place in the area competitions held on the Wirral,
In the Year 7 competition our 4th team did
Sefton, Liverpool and St Helens. Despite the
really well and had a good win against St Mary’s
cold weather and persistent rain our girls played
College, our 3rd team beat Upton ‘B’ and drew with Wirral ‘B’ . Our ‘B’ team were undefeated in their section and had impressive wins against UAB, Upton ‘B’ 10 -1, Prenton, Birkenhead School and West Kirby ‘A’. The Wirral ‘A’ team produced some excellent Netball too with wins
and they did themselves proud winning a
some excellent netball. Well done and Congratulations to all girls
In the U19 Age group Wirral played Upton
that took part – we were very proud of you all.
Hall and won 16 -1, West Kirby and won 12-4,
Wirral Schools’ Netball Tournament Years 9 and 10.
Merchant Taylors and won 22-2 and Formby
against Hilbre 23-0, St Mary’s 15 – 0,
High School and won 17 -4. Not to be our done our Yr 11 team played Archbishop Blanch and won 19 -0, St Mary’s
Plessington 16 -0, West Kirby 11-0 and Upton
College, Crosby and won 16 -5, West Kirby and
‘A’ 17 -0. In the semi Final the ‘B ‘ team were
won 17 – 1 and Sacred Heart and won 12 -4
extremely unlucky to lose to Upton Hall after
The Year 10 team played Upton and won 16
extra time and the ‘A’ team played against
-3, Greenbank High School, Southport and won
Prenton and won 15 -2. In the final our ‘A’ team
17 -1, West Kirby and won 13-5, Range High
beat Upton Hall to become Wirral Schools
School and won 6-4 and Rainford High School,
Champions. Our ‘B’ team defeated Prenton to
St Helens and won 10 -7
finish in 3rd position. Both teams therefore have
We entered our year 8 and 9 teams in the
qualified for the Merseyside Finals in Kirby on
U14 Age group with both of them coming up
Friday
with 4 convincing wins each. The results meant that we won the Merseyside Championships in every Age group. On Wednesday 27th February we hosted
This is the first time for a couple of years we
the Year 9 and Year 10 Wirral Schools’ Netball
have had a ‘clean sweep’ and this is a fantastic
Tournament. The weather was surprisingly warm
achievement.
and eight schools from the district turned up to
Congratulations and well done to all the
play in the sunshine. Our Year 9 and 10 teams
girls. A big thank you to you all for your
were unbeaten winning by huge margins
continued loyalty and your commitment
considering the short length of the games. The
throughout the season.
competition was a round robin so our teams played against every other school and showed excellent endurance, motivation and team work. The Year 9B team stepped in to play in the tournament when another school dropped out
Wirral Girls PE Newsletter - Spring 2013 - page 2
Year 7
Year 8
The Year 7 squad has been
The Year 8 squad has gone from
Year 9
Birkenhead Netball League
The Year 9 team have had a
Both the Year 11 and senior
sensational this year, the A team
strength to strength this season.
fantastic season; they are Wirral
teams have entered teams in the
have only lost 1 game all season
The Year 8 A team are Wirral
Champions, Merseyside
Birkenhead Netball League this
and 4 teams played well in the
champions and Merseyside
champions and only narrowly
season. The senior team are
district tournament. The A squad
champions, we also entered them
missed out on a semi-final spot in
currently top of the league and the
are Wirral Champions and both A
in the Year 9 competitions and
the North-West Netball finals.
Year 11s are in 3rd
and B teams have qualified for the
they were the 2nd best team in the
Merseyside finals.
County in the U14 age group. The
Most Improved player Niamh Leong / Daniella Norman Coaches’ player Georgia Ellis Players’ player Ruth Hughes
majority of them are playing club
Most Improved player India Coy Coaches’ player
position. The
teams have played some fantastic netball in the league often having to adapt their game to play
netball and they are working very
Kelly Cunningham / Georgia
against the different styles of
well as a team. The Year 8 B team
Hayes
netball that can be encountered in
came second in the district
adult netball. They have played in
tournament and the C and D
some challenging environments
teams have beat some local A
and will hopefully remain at the
teams.
top as the season draws to a
Most Improved player
close.
Erin Taylor Coaches’ player Becky Helsby
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VOLLEYBALL The Wirral Schools U15 Volleyball Championships Several teams from across the Wirral and Manchester took part. Wirral Girls entered two teams and we also provided four very talented referees from Y11 and 12 to keep track of the 15 minute matches. Both teams played extremely well and played some fantastic Volleyball. The Wirral Grammar A team were undefeated in their pool and qualified for the final against a very strong Moorside team. Wirral Grammar A played their hearts out in front of a very supportive crowd from both schools. Moorside were in the lead but Wirral Grammar staged a come-back and went on to win the set 25 – 22 and finished as Wirral Schools’ Volleyball champions. Congratulations to Lydia Edgar, Louise Haggett, Holly Pearson and Sofia Latista. Our U16 and Senior squads are playing in the Wirral Schools Senior Volleyball league and are currently sitting in top position after four rounds with two
Wirral Schools U14 Championships The Wirral Schools U14 Volleyball Championships took place on Wednesday 13th March at Wirral Grammar School for Girls. Eighteen teams from across the Wirral took part. Wirral Girls entered 5 teams from Year 8 & Year 9, we also provided two very talented referees from Y11 and Y12 to keep track of the 15 minute matches. All teams played extremely well and played some fantastic Volleyball. The Wirral
schools. The game was extremely close and
Grammar A and B teams were undefeated in
very exciting, with both teams taking it in
their pool and qualified for the quarter finals
turns to take the lead. We lost the first set
which they both won. Wirral A unfortunately
13-15 and Prenton took the second set
just missed out on their chance to reach the
winning by just two clear points.
final by two points and finished 3rd in the competition.
Miss King would like to say a big thank you and well done to all the girls who took
Wirral Grammar B (y8) won their semi-
part and congratulations to the Wirral B
final and made it through to the final against
squad (Becky Helsby, Lizzie Forshaw, Rosie
Prenton (y9). They played their hearts out in
Stothard and Olivia Pearson) who finished as
front of a very supportive crowd from both
runners up of the tournament.
HOCKEY
as many of our Year 7 girls they have
Year 8 Team
and Alex Moore were selected to play
sampled hockey for the first time this term. Earlier in the season Annie Johnson
The hockey players have enjoyed some
hockey for Cheshire. They are currently
expert coaching this year on Wednesday
enjoying this privilege and the improvement
afternoons. Mike has helped the girls
they have made is also having a positive
develop complex skills and understand both
impact on the girls they play with in school.
the indoor and outdoor game better. The
Congratulations Annie and Alex.
Year 8 team have enjoyed continuing success and despite losing 6 – 5 to Birkenhead Academy in a very tough match
Coaches’ player of the season Annie Johnson Most improved
have won the majority of their matches,
Alex Moore
scoring 7 goals against Oldershaw school
Year 7 Team
earlier in the season. The Year 7 team have played some indoor and outdoor matches against local, rival schools and are improving rapidly. Practices will continue after Easter
Coaches’ Player Megan Crone Most improved Player Ruby Garrigan
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BASKETBALL Basketball County Finals
Regional Basketball On Monday the 11th of March the Under 13 Basketball team travelled to King’s School Wakefield to play in their first regional
On Friday the 1st of February the Under
basketball game. The team qualified for the
13 Basketball team travelled to Woodchurch
regional rounds after winning the county
High School to take part in the County
tournament earlier in the season. Most of the
Schools’ Basketball tournament. They beat
team are relatively new to Basketball but they
Prenton in the district round to qualify for the
have transferred their athleticism and skill from
competition and faced the best school from
a variety of other sports; especially netball and
each of the districts in the county: North
have developed into fantastic players. When
Sefton, South Sefton, South Wirral, Liverpool
we arrived at King’s we were slightly
The big game arrived and the team who
and Knowsley.
intimidated by their level of skill and full
knew some of the players from club basketball
The team was made up of Connie Hawley and Ella O’Toole who play for Chester jets and Bulldogs respectively. Becky Helsby, Lizzie Forshaw, Erin Taylor, Jenny Wise and Jenny Arthur from Year 8 who have been attending practices in school since September and Ruth Hughes and Rebecca Williams from Year 7. The team worked well together and despite it being some of the girls’ first
Catholic High
basketball kits however once they settled into were excited for the challenge. The first quarter the game the team couldn’t stop scoring. They finished 10 – 10 a sign that the game would be scored a huge 65 points with Kings managing as testing as we had imagined. A great second just 18 to win the game comfortably. They will quarter from the visitors and we found now face Ellesmere Port Catholic High School ourselves down 20 – 10. It looked to be all over who are renowned for their basketball however, but determination, speed and quick thinking if the team continue to play how they have form Wirral brought the score back to 32 – 32 been playing another win and a place in the at full time! It was very tense but Wirral had the zone round could be theirs.
flow of the game, they drew on all their
Basketball games they were not intimidated.
strength, speed and competitiveness to win in
They battled to win their first game 13 – 11, just
extra time 42 points to 36. This now qualifies
one basket. After this though the team found
the team for the North Zone rounds of the
their stride and couldn’t stop scoring. All
competition. They are the best U13 team in the
players contributed with Ruth being our most
region. Well done girls!
consistent scorer, Lizzie and Becky doing some
BADMINTON
excellent work in defence and Erin playing excellently through the middle of the court. In two of their games the team scored
County Badminton Finals
over 40 points! They finished the tournament as County Champions and qualify for the
On Friday the 8th of March our U16
regional competition. They will be training hard
Badminton team travelled to the Badminton
in preparation for this. Congratulations girls,
Centre in Wigan to compete in the County
well played!
round of the National Schools’ Championships. The team had qualified as the best team in Wirral and faced strong opposition from the other district winners. In our group we beat Rainhill, Broadgreen and Fazakerley easily but faced a very strong team from Greenbank school who won the contest and
Welsh International Year 11 Team The year 11 team have remained committed to training and their club this term. They have played matches against
went through to the next round of the competition. 2nd in the group at this stage of
Beth Taylor in Year 11 has been selected
the competition is a fantastic achievement.
to represent the Wales U18 Basketball Team.
The team showed great teamwork and
She was scouted during a tournament playing
supported each other throughout the day.
for her club Bulldogs and will now represent
Three of the team will still be eligible to play
Wales at FIBA. A fantastic achievement, well
in the competition next year. Well done girls.
done Beth!
Woodchurch girls and boys teams, Wirral boys and St Marys. They beat the girls but lost narrowly to the boys teams. They have also helped in coaching and inspiring the younger players who are currently doing very well in the schools competition.
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Football
Indoor Athletics
The U13 football team have
On the 16th of February Emily
progressed from 7 a side matches
Darrock competed for Merseyside
Sports Hall Athletics Cross Country We would like to thank all the girls County Finals that have taken part in cross country this year come rain or
the knock out 11 a side tournament
at the North West Regional Finals of Both our Year 7 and 8 Indoor the Indoor Athletics Championships athletics team successfully qualified
this term; they have played
in Wigan. She competed in the
began with weekend races in
to adapt their play and compete in
matches against St Marys Wallasey and Ridgeway so far. The U16 team which includes a number of very talented players are due to play St
for the Merseyside Schools Final
standing long jump, 2 lap race and which took place on Tuesday the 4 x 2 lap relay and she represented 4th of March at Leasowe leisure Merseyside as team captain. Emily centre. Both teams performed made the final of the 2 lap race and exceptionally well, having already
holidays. A large number of girls are
completed the race in a time of 23.6 triumphed over strong opposition in seconds; she came 5th however the district round. The year 7 team
participating in practices during
the winning time was 23.5 seconds;
Marys and Prenton after the Easter
lunchtimes and after school and they have shown good teamwork and commitment this season.
came 6th overall and the year 8
what a close race! In the standing team came 3rd, missing out on a long jump Emily leaped a huge 2 final place by only 1 point. With metres 30cms to win the gold every team scoring around 300 medal. She is now ranked best in points this was a narrow and a
the North and 2nd in the country in tough defeat! There were standout this event. The county team were performances on the day from third overall, well done to
Emily Darroch, Ella Johnson,
Emily for these fantastic Sophie McAvoy, Juliet Hodder, Ruth Hughes and Rosie Hurst. achievements.
shine, and often snow! The season Liverpool in which Phoebe Ashworth, Juliette Hodder and Faye H a n k i n s o n q u a l i fi e d f o r t h e Merseyside schools team. Further races were also held at Arrowe Park where the girls produced some fantastic times and we hope for this to continue into the athletics season. Lizzie Forshaw coming in 3rd and 5th and Juliette Hodder securing a couple of 2nd place finishes. In the Merseyside Cross Country League Juliet Hodder has finished the league ranked 3rd in the county, picking up a bronze medal. She has now been selected to represent Merseyside in Regional and National competitions. In the open section Sophie Tarver won a silver medal has also been selected for Merseyside after fantastic performances in the League. Both girls competed in the Inter-counties Cross Country Championships in Birmingham on the 9th of March. Huge thanks must also go to our games prefect Faye Morrison and Freddie Neal for their help with c r o s s c o u n t r y, t h e y h a v e encouraged and inspired our younger runners, well done girls and a big thank you.
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GYMNASTICS
Wirral Schools Floor and Vault Gymnastics Competition
National Schools’ Trampolining On Saturday the 19th of January a group of
Charlie Simms won the elite U18 category
girls from Wirral competed in the Northern zone
and Chloe Farthing came 3rd in the junior elite
round of the National Schools’ Trampolining
category. Overall the team finished in 1st
competition. They qualified for this competition
position and will now represent Wirral Grammar
by winning the regional round last term. In the
School for Girls and the North in the National
elite team competition Chloe Farthing, Lucy
Finals in March. Congratulations girls, an
Steele, Katy Oake and Ellie Parr were victorious.
outstanding achievement. The National Schools Trampolining Finals were held on Saturday March 9th in Stoke.
The Wirral Schools Floor and Vault Competition took place at Weatherhead High School on Tuesday 12th February. Several schools across the Wirral took part and all competitors demonstrated a very high level of skill on both the Floor routines and the Vault. Our competitors produced outstanding performances in both areas, the results were as follows: In Y7 Lucy Steele was placed 1st in Set 3 Floor and Vault and Lucy Howard was placed 1st in Set 1 Floor and Vault. In Y8 Katie Oake was placed 3rd in Set 3 Floor and Vault, Ella Jayne Hamer was placed 2nd in Set 3 Floor and Vault and Christa Neill was placed 2nd in Set 4 Floor and Vault. In Y 10 Claudia Barlett was placed 1st in Set 4 Floor and Vault and in Y 11 Sophie MacClaren was placed 1st in Set 3 Floor and Vault. Well done also to Faye Hankinson, Emily Maxwell, Rosie Hartwell, Chloe Farthing and Lydia Price (Year 7) on their fantastic performances. Congratulations to all the girls who took part.
Wirral had qualified for this by being placed in the North West Schools and the Northern Zone Championships. We were represented in the individual competitions by Charlie Simms in the U19 Elite Competition and Chloe Farthing in the U14 Elite Competition. Chloe also participated in the U14 team competition with Lucy Steele, Ellie Parr and Katie Oakes. Charlie finished in a handball and last year Lottie Hardwick was
Handball
selected to play for England.
Wirral Schools Handball Tournament This year we entered the Wirral Schools’ Handball Tournament for the first time. In year 10 pupils have the opportunity to sample handball in their games lessons and many of our older girls have found that they have a real aptitude and passion for the sport. A number of our Year 10 girls have progressed to play club
In the tour nament the team faced opposition from Woodchurch and Oldershaw, they beat Oldershaw comfortably, winning 7 - 2. Woodchurch put up a good fight but Wirral came through to win 3 - 2. Congratulations to Izzy Nolan, Phoebe Bryan, Lydia Edgar, Lottie Hardwick, Harriet Hughes, Anna Welsh and Sarah Buckley.
fabulous 3rd position and Chloe 7th
in the
country. The U14 team also performed fantastically well to finish in 3rd position. Congratulations and well done to all the girls.
kwik cricket U13’s have won the Wirral round of Kwik cricket and are through to the Cheshire rounds on 20th March. The team includes: Rebecca Helsby, Rosie Stothard, Georgia Wake, Ella Johnson, Annie Johnson, Erin Taylor, Emily Darroch, Jenny Hanton-Wise, Sal Mirales and Sophie Macavoy.
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INTERFORM
Year 8 Interform
Year 7 Interform
Year 8 Interform took place on Tuesday
Year 9 Comic Relief Interform
Year 7 Interform took place on Monday
19th March. Year 8 is a very sporty year group 18th March. The girls were extremely and all girls were extremely enthusiastic, enthusiastic and competitive. All girls
The Year 9 ‘Comic Relief’ Interform took organised and competitive despite the weather participated and represented their form in place on Friday 15th March.
All girls being dreary. The girls chose to compete in Netball, Hockey and Volleyball.
participated and represented their form in Volleyball, Netball and Handball.
netball, hockey or volleyball and they
The results were as follows:
Each form competed against all the other form groups. • 6th place with 29 points – 7G • 5th place with 36 points – 7P
made a voluntary contribution for the event The overall results can be seen below: and we managed to raise £98 for Comic Relief.
• 6th place with 24 points – 8S Although the weather was poor the rain • 3rd place with 44 points – 8E didn’t dampen any spirits. The girls played • 5th place with 36 points – 8F enthusiastically throughout the tournament and • 4th place with 39 points – 8B produced some pleasing team performances in • Joint 1st place with 57 points – 8M and 8C all sports.
• 4th place with 37 points – 7L • 3rd place with 43 points – 7W • 2nd place with 50 points – 7H • 1st place with 64 points – 7S
Well done to all involved and big thanks
The results were as follows:
to all the umpires and helpers from Year 9
• 6th place with 29 points – 9M • 5th place with 36 points – 9E
and 10 who ensured the smooth running of the tournament.
• 4th place with 37 points – 9B • 3rd place with 43 points – 9C • 2nd place with 50 points – 9L • 1st place with 64 points – 9J Congratulations to 9J who finished as the overall winners and well done to all the girls who took part.
DANCE FEVER 2013 This year’s dance show was an astounding success. Over 400 girls participated over the two nights. A range of dancers showcased their talents and demonstrated projects they have been working on in curriculum time, dance club and GCSE dance. The show included a variety of dance styles and performances from musical theatre to contemporary from Bollywood to Charleston. The dance community pulled together to ensure the show ran smoothly; sixth form girls helped out, staff served refreshments and manned the backstage. The show sold out both nights with a supportive crowd of parents, friends and family. Well done to all involved.
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