Girls Football Hampshire Games Finals
On Friday 8th March, the Year 5/6 Girls Football Team travelled to Stoneham Lane Football Complex to take part in the Hampshire Games Finals. Every team attending had qualified from their area tournaments so we knew it was going to be a challenging day. During the morning league, the girls worked hard to finish joint second in the group. With one less goal scored (joint goal difference) we qualified for the Championship League in the afternoon. The girls went into the afternoon knowing they had to perform well to reach the semi-finals and they did just that. As the afternoon progressed we were undefeated in our group, scoring some excellent goals along the way, meaning the girls were thrilled to make the semi-finals. We faced a good St Peter's side from Farnborough in the semi-final. A dominant 3-1 win saw us through to the final where we met local school, Wellstead Primary from Hedge End. The game was tough and both sides played some excellent football. An in-swinging corner was met by a superb volley from Flo, which gave us a 1-0 lead. Wellstead played some fantastic football and our team worked incredibly hard for each other, tracking back and helping out teammates, as we have done all season. In the dying seconds, Wellstead had a free kick in a good position. The ball looks destined for the corner but an exceptional save from Ramona tipped it over the bar and gave us the 1-0 victory. The joy on the girls' faces at the final whistle realising they would go home with a winners medal was wonderful and so well-deserved. We are very proud of you all, girls!
Hampshire Plate Semi Final v Stoke Park – Monday 11th March 2024
This was a fixture the boys were excited to play in. They have progressed so much since the first round of this tournament and were confident especially playing on their own field. From the very first whistle you could see how much the boys wanted to win. They were able to win possession of the ball and were relentless in attack. After 10 minutes they found themselves 3 – 0 up and were playing with a real confidence. They worked hard for each other and had started moving the ball around very nicely. Goals from Leo, Reuben, Luca and a hat trick for Jake gave us a 6 – 0 lead at half time. The boys continued to play well in the second half and Blake and Radley added their names to the score sheet. At the final whistle the boys had kept a clean sheet and won well but the most pleasing thing was how they continued to try and pass the ball around and a few of them had a spell playing in a different position to normal. The boys will now wait to find out in the final of the tournament to see if they can finish their season off on a high.
Girls Football Hampshire Plate Semi-Final
On Thursday 14th March, the girls faced Weeke Primary School from Winchester in the semi-final of the Hampshire Plate. For the first 10 minutes of the game, Weeke were dominant on the ball, showing us we were up against a well-organised, skilful side. Chances were created at both ends, but a well taken goal and a fantastic lob meant our team went into half time with a two goal deficit. The second half saw our midfielders growing into the game and a change to our formation meant Megan had more of the ball in midfield and made a number of great passes up the pitch to put the opponents under pressure. We had a few shots on goal from Lyra and Siena which narrowly missed the target. Any further chances from the opponents were swiftly dealt with by Rayah and Ramona scooped up any dangers with calmness and control.
The second half of the game saw Eva and Ava breaking up numerous phases of play and always looked for a short pass to the wings where Mia worked hard to set us on the attack. As the final whistle was blown, it wasn’t to be; but a superb effort and a great game. We congratulated Weeke Primary and wished them good luck for the final.
Sportshall Athletics
On Tuesday 19th March Miss Coxhead had the pleasure of taking a group of Year 3 and 4 children to compete in an indoor athletics competition. Whilst at the event, the children participated in a variety of field events including speed bounce, long jump, javelin and chest push. The children had been training at school for this event and you could see that their hard work really helped them in their performances. After the field events, the children then participated in a variety of running races. They worked well as a team and it was lovely to see the support they gave one another throughout the competition. Not only did our athletes represent the school beautifully, they also ended up winning the event! Well done to all of those who took part.
Physical Activity Festival
On Tuesday 26th March, 15 pupils from across all year groups attended an Eco-friendly Physical Activity Festival at Places Leisure. This event was led by students from Barton Peveril College who were given the aim of creating an environment promoting physical activity in a fun way. The activities included team building challenges, orienteering navigating a trail, cycling and archery. The pupils represented our school superbly. They embraced the new activities with enthusiasm and bravery, while showing excellent communication and team-work skills.
Thursday 1st February 2024 v Portsmouth Grammar School (Hampshire Plate Quarter Finals)
After a good win in the previous round, our boys’ football team had to travel to Portsmouth Grammar School to play in the quarter final of the plate. The game was played a very wide but short pitch and was the first away game the boys have had this year. The rose brilliant to the challenge and immediately took control of the game and dominated the ball. They were unlucky not to go ahead but they kept composed and looked to find the break through. The first goal came from a corner which Jake brilliantly headed in after attacking the near post. Having taken the corner, Rueben then went provider to goal scorer with a neat finish to make it 2-0. A few minutes later Jake turned his defender well and tucked the ball away for a third. In previous games, the boys’ have often found themselves in similar positions but taken their foot of the gas and allowed the opposition back into the game. Today was not following that pattern and the boys showed their ruthless side with Blake scoring on his debut from close range before Leo fired in a long range effort after beating 2 players to make the score 5-0 at half time.
The second half followed a very similar course. The only scare was when a sliced clearance fell to a PGS striker whose shot was brilliantly kept out by Evan to protect his clean sheet. Two more goals from Jake and one from Luca saw the game finish at 8-0. From front to back, this was the boys strongest performance this season. They played excellently as a team and even as the score started to grow they kept their shape and played some excellent football. After the game, it was hard to tell whether they were more pleased about the result or the chicken nuggets they were served in the pavilion!
They are now looking forward to the semi-finals which have yet to be drawn and should have every confidence in going the distance in the competition.
Netball Cluster Tournament
On Tuesday 6th February, a group of Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in a netball tournament at Wyvern School. We entered two teams and played against Durley, Upham and Owslebury Primary Schools. Each player worked hard to move the ball down the court displaying brilliant determination and teamwork. One of our teams won all their matches and so will go onto represent our school in the finals, to be held at Wildern School next week. Well done to everyone involved.
National League Trust Regional Finals – Thursday 8th February 2024
Having won the local tournament on the pitch at half time of an Eastleigh game, our boys’ football team travelled to Woking to the regional finals as Eastleigh FC. Represented there were schools from all over the south of England. The standard of football was incredibly high on a very wet and cold day. The boys had a touch start and lost their opening game against Aldershot. They then played against Slough Town in a well fought contest. Both teams had good chances but Slough was more clinical and won the game narrowly. There was a similar outcome in the next match against Havant and Waterlooville. This result meant it would be hard for us to qualify for the knock out rounds. Although the boys were disappointed, they were able to play the next two games without pressure. They got well into their stride in the first of these games and were unlucky to only draw with Woking FC. They then enjoyed a good lunch break and came out for their final game in high spirits and played some their best football all day. At the final whistle they secured a 3-0 win. This was a tough day for the boys against some very good opposition but served as a great learning opportunity for them. They should all be very proud at how they represented the school.
Saints Foundation Premier League Primary Stars Tournament
On Friday 9th February, 8 members of our girls football team travelled to Millbrook to play at the Saints Foundation Premier League Primary Stars Tournament against 27 other primary schools. They played 9 matches in total and worked tirelessly throughout. After sailing through our group stage (scoring 28 goals) we narrowly missed a placed in the semis, meeting strong opposition in the quarter-final. The girls showed brilliant passing, some incredible goal-keeping and such a strong work ethic. They were very pleased to meet members of Southampton FC Women's First Team and were excited to have their photo taken with Laura Rafferty and Paige Peake.
Year 3 Cricket Festival
On Tuesday 20th February, eight Year 3 pupils attended a cricket festival at Wildern School. The event was led by a coach from Hampshire County Cricket Club and sports leaders from Wildern School. The children loved using the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the game as well as their cricket specific skills. They all enjoyed the experience and represented our school superbly.