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June 2014 Issue 21 Elliot Rowe ‘Practise, practise, practise’
June 2014
Issue 21
Elliot Rowe‘Practise, practise, practise’
High Community & Leisure
is the bookings and facilities management business for
the school.
Facilities available include:
T: 01625 441053 / 441087
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Welcome
CONTACT US:Wilmslow High School, Holly Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1LZ.Tel: 01625 526191 Fax: 01625 536858email: [email protected]
Front Cover:
Elliot Rowe - Year 13 student
4 Wider aspects of sport with Mr Fredericks All the world’s a stage .....
5 Summer of sport Are the Games special for you?
6/7 Antarctic experience ‘Polar Science for Plant Earth’
8 Staff spotlight Why run....? Why not....?
9 Wilmslow on tour A European challenge
10/13 Leavers’ feature School reflections
14 /15 High performers Elliot Rowe and Fiona Currie
16/17 2013/14 sporting highlights Celebrating success 18/19 D of E in pictures and Arts X-tra 20 High performance PE kit Performing in style: new kit for 2014/15
A warm welcome to this latest issue of High Performance.
After qualifying as a PE teacher 17 years ago, I was delighted to be appointed into my first teaching post here at the High School in 1997. I knew I was about
to start work at a good school, but what really excited me was the obvious passion for PE and sport articulated by the Headteacher, Mr Lyon, and Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Bremner.
Over the past 17 years an already strong PE team has grown in number, facilities here have improved, Saturday morning fixtures are the norm, sports college status has been achieved, participation rates have soared, county and national trophies have been won on a regular basis and the school has been established as one of the top state schools for PE and sport in the country. These developments have been achieved by excellent staff, parents and students, working together, with the constant support and drive of two very special headteachers.
During all of that time, Mrs Bremner has been central to these developments, promoting and celebrating the merits and importance of sport in so many ways: attending PE conferences; chairing Olympic strategy groups; bidding for funding, appointing coaches; writing congratulation letters to students and most obviously, proudly watching from the touchline, come rain or shine .
I know that I speak for the PE team, past and present, as well as thousands of parents and students, when I say a huge thank you to Mrs Bremner for all she has done to further PE and sport at Wilmslow High School. I am confident that the sporting bar will continue to be raised in 2014/15.
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Contents
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Here is the story, as I remember it. I think it’s accurate, although memory plays tricks on you; either way the basic facts are true, and there’s a real sports connection…..
In the mid-to late 1980s, when dinosaurs walked the Earth, Wilmslow High School had only recently formed. Round about where High Options now stands, in all its glory, there were only hut-style English classrooms. In one of these leaky-roofed ‘demountables’, during one English lesson, Jez said to me:
‘Jimi’s in our band now, Sir.’
Jimi had only been at our school, and in my Year 10 (called fourth year then) English class, for about a week. He was officially James Goodwin on the register, but preferred to be called ‘Jimi’. Jez seemed to have been playing guitar forever, and he and his brother were both musicians.
They still are, as is Jimi. They’re ‘The Doves’.
Wilmslow High School seems to do this kind of thing. ‘The 1975’, those summer 2013 album-chart toppers, are an ex-Wilmslow High School band. One of their forerunners was ‘All Souled Out’,
a soul-covers outfit with Matt Healy in it, on the drums; the three girl singers were in my English class, and I remember them at the Wilmslow Show, delivering ‘Mustang Sally’ - with the lead singer and the girls wearing police helmets, borrowed from the constables in attendance…..
But it’s not just musicians; it’s sport as well. When you’re watching ITV’s football coverage and the ex-Arsenal and England full-back Lee Dixon is commentating, imagine him in a Year 9 fixture for our school team, because he once was. When the former World Junior Amateur heavyweight champion next appears on TV, as the 19-year-old best teenage prospect in the country, or perhaps on earth, he’s the former Wilmslow High School student, Hughie Fury.
Now, here’s the crunch. Anyone who’s ever performed on stage knows something that a competitive boxer, or golfer, or any sportsman or
sportswoman knows: you’re actually saying that you’re worth seeing. It’s a contest, but it’s also a show.
Note well, though. You’re not saying you’re amazing, or better than someone else, as in The X-Factor; you’re just asking people to take notice. And like ‘The Doves’, ‘The 1975’, Lee Dixon and Hughie Fury, you’ve had to work toward your goal and to be honest with yourself; so you’ve had to show a mixture of confidence and realism - which is good for you, because you have to do that in all aspects of your life.
That’s what performance is: you give people something that you hope may be worth their while. When it works, it’s an amazing feeling. Good luck!
- Mr T Fredericks, English teacher
Wider aspects of sport
All the world’s a stage……
Hughie Fury, boxer
Lee Dixon, former Arsenal and England footballer
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Are the Games special for you? 2014 has been a busy year for sport up until now, but is the best yet to come?
● Can England get past the group stages in the football World Cup in Brazil?
● Will Andy Murray repeat his win at Wimbledon?
● Will the country get back the ‘feel good’ factor from the Scottish hosted Commonwealth Games?
● Will the Grand Départ for the Tour de France draw the crowds in Yorkshire?
● Will Peter Moores return England to winning ways against Sri Lanka?
● Can the Ryder Cup be retained in Gleneagles?
● Will the British Grand Prix be a roaring success with all of the rule changes? One thing is for sure, and that is there will be millions of viewers glued to the television living every putt, penalty or photo finish, wishing it was them playing at the highest level.
Every sporting event has its own unique appeal and sense of drama, but for many people, the Commonwealth Games will be this summer’s special event. It may not involve lots of household names or millionaire performers, but the hope will be that the event recreates that 2012 ‘Olympic fever’. Football fans will no doubt think that it is unthinkable that anything could out trump the
World Cup in Brazil, but not everyone loves the ‘beautiful’ game, so the Games just may be many people’s summer highlight.
So why will the Games be such a big deal? The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is a opportunity to showcase the very best in sporting talent from across the Commonwealth and also a chance for Scottish arts and culture to enjoy a global platform. Glasgow 2014 will be the biggest sporting and cultural event to happen in Scotland in a generation. Participating athletes represent the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, with the Home Nations of the UK competing against one another.
The sports competition is a programme of 17 sports – including the largest ever number of integrated medal events for Para-Sports. Over one million tickets will be sold for the Games which will be broadcast to a global audience of 1.5 billion. The Commonwealth Games movement has three core values: humanity, equality and destiny. The Commonwealth Games seeks to unify humanity, promote equality and give all athletes a chance to realise their destiny.
The first Commonwealth Games took place in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. Four hundred athletes from eleven countries competed over 6 sports and 59 events.
The Games were originally called the British Empire Games and went through various incarnations over the years until the current title of Commonwealth Games was introduced in 1978.
There were no Games in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II and its economic aftermath.
The Kuala Lumpur Games of 1998 saw the introduction of team sports.
Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales have attended every Games.
Scotland hosted the Games in 1970 and 1986, both times in Edinburgh. The Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh, which will host the diving competition for the Glasgow 2014 Games, is the only venue to be used for three
Commonwealth Games.
Willie Wood, a lawn bowler from Scotland, is the first competitor to have competed in seven Commonwealth Games, from 1974 to 2002.
Greg Yelavich, a sports shooter from New Zealand, won twelve medals in seven Games from 1986 to 2010.
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Commonwealth Games history facts:
Summer of sport
Antarctic experience
From September 2013 to March 2014 Mr Shipp had the amazing opportunity to work for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) as a field assistant.
BAS is a scientific institution with a long and prestigious history. Their slogan is ‘Polar Science for Planet Earth.’ As a world leader in scientific research, the work that BAS undertakes informs universities, governments and industry as to how our world has changed physically and environmentally, and how it is likely to change in the future. It was BAS who discovered the hole in the ozone layer and who currently help model the many effects of climate change.
I was employed as a field assistant, working from the main UK base of Rothera. The job is diverse and arguably one of the best to have; being sent out to many remote and interesting locations. Field assistants ensure people’s safety and ensure
the logistics of field operations and projects run smoothly. The job is demanding with huge responsibility and physical hardship. The ability to form positive working relationships with people you may not normally get on with is essential and there is little free time, as there is always work to do. At peak times, undertaking the vital duties for 24 – 36 hours with little or no sleep, is not unusual. Patience, imagination and good humour between
all those living in close proximity is essential.
One of my main roles was managing a remote blue ice runway called ‘Sky Blu’, situated about five flying hours south of the main base at Rothera and the hub for all BAS deep field
operations. Work included giving hourly detailed weather reports, refuelling, loading/unloading planes, looking after personnel who stay over at Sky Blu temporarily and ensuring that 1000s kgs of equipment was ready for the next flight, or secured against the 100mph katabatic winds. During December and January, there were only one or
‘Polar Science for Planet Earth’
“Days can be spent in a tent
waiting out bad weather”
(Main picture) Stonehouse Bay, (top) taking the boat back to base after working on the islands near Rothera, (bottom) cup of tea outside a pyramid tent whilst on training.
Crab eater sealChecking wind speed at Sky-Blu before the next plane lands
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Staff spotlight
two mechanics and myself manning this remote isolated base.
In West Antarctica I was sent to help fix equipment that records atmospheric data, this is then sent straight back to the UK via satellite, gathering up to date information on our changing climate. In the Ellsworth Mountain Region, a small team of us raced against the weather to dig out 100s of barrels of aviation fuel from two depots, for a large project next season. From the stark, flat, white and sterile inland area, I was then assigned back to the main base at Rothera, working with a team of four geologists on a detailed survey of the islands and mountains close to the base. Travelling through mountains and glacial passes on a skidoo, enabling the scientist I was working with to get the geology samples needed, was such a wonderful highlight, it really didn’t feel like work at that point!
When back at Rothera, field assistants also train new arrivals and in the evenings or at weekends, take them out to ski and climb in the local mountains.
As well as scientists, there are pilots, carpenters, sailors, engineers, chefs, doctors, divers, mechanics, boat handlers, meteorologists, plumbers and electricians who help run the base and science projects and live there 365 days a year. The job of field assistant had 500 applicants, and it was a privilege to be one of three people newly employed in the role that year. Doing what you love and doing it well, can provide surprising opportunities in life. My 17 years
of climbing and mountaineering in many wild and remote places in the world, enabled me to have this chance to work with BAS; being a geographer helped too.
Every year, BAS recruit men and women from all walks of life to work in one of the most unique and rewarding parts of the world. Young PhD students go from university to study marine biology or travel across the harsh inland areas to study the shifting glaciers. Having experience of extreme environments isn’t essential for the job, it just helps. Many people go to Antarctica with nothing more than their professional expertise and the open-minded desire to experience a way of life that is far from ordinary.
All the work undertaken leads towards a greater understanding of our shared and changing planet. Some people return year after year, earning good money, as everything you need is provided for you on base. For me, working for BAS has fulfilled a dream, personally and professionally. Being away from my family for such a long period of time was tough, but the reward of new friendships, awesome experiences and working in the last truly wild part of our planet was more than worth it.
Many young people have the potential to work for organisations such as BAS and I hope these words and pictures can inspire some to take a step outside of the ordinary and get involved with ‘Polar Science for Planet Earth.’
- Mr Shipp, geography teacher
(Main picture) Laundry on a sunny day at Sky-Blu, but still only -10 degrees, (top) Christmas day in the hut with the mechanics, (bottom) Digging out avation fuel drums in a raging blizzard.
Antarctic experience
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Why run.....? Why not......?As the nights and mornings become lighter, you will have seen an increase in the
number of people pounding the pavements .... but why do they do it? To lose weight, relieve stress, to compete, kill time, improve fitness, stay healthy? In a school that has nearly 300 staff, there’s no surprise that a large number of staff enjoy running. Here,
three staff briefly explain their relationship with running:
I really enjoy running mainly because there’s the continuous incentive to beat previous times, it keeps me fairly fit and also has a social side to it.
My greatest running achievement has probably been getting my 5K time down to 19.24 last summer, after four years of weekly ‘Parkruns’ on a Saturday morning trying to get below 20 minutes.
If I’m honest I enjoy when I have finished running more than when I am actually running! But running works for me as it gets me out in the fresh air, the run can be as long or short as I want and it gives me time by myself to think. Plus, there is the added bonus that it keeps me fit and allows me to eat more cake!
The Parkrun 100 Club rewards my sheer commitment of getting up every Saturday morning and joining 500 other runners to run round the park at 9am!
Running the Trafford 10K in under 50 minutes (46.57) was a New Year’s resolution and I trained for 10 weeks running 5 times a week. I followed a training programme and stuck to it religiously and it just proves that hard work and commitment gets results!
Running is convenient: I don’t need any special playing field, equipment or fancy sports gear. Just a pair of trainers and the inclination to get out the door!
I ran my first half marathon in 2 hours and 1 minute, since then all I have wanted to do is break the two hour time barrier. I achieved this in March, running the Wilmslow half marathon in a time of 1 hour 50 minutes.
Mr Norris - Assistant headteacher
Mrs Mackintosh - Team leader,mathematics
Miss Ryan - Team leader, PE
A European challenge
Staff spotlight
It protects your heart
Makes you happy
Strengthens your bones
Raises your IQ
Maintains joint health
Raises energy levels
Keeps you in shape
Improves body
confidence
Adds years to your life
Keeps you young
According to gre-atruntraining.org
there are 10 great benefits from run-ning on a regular
basis:
Breaking news - breaking news - breaking news
Mollie Williams, Year 12, completed the Manchester 10K in a time of 39.45. Well done!
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During the February half term, eighteen Wilmslow High students embarked on a hockey tour to Holland.
After setting up our base in Noordwijk, we travelled to Rotterdam to play the first of our fixtures. Rotterdam is the biggest hockey club in Holland and it will also be the venue for the upcoming FIH Masters Hockey World Cup 2014, so it was a privilege to play there.
The Dutch players’ skill matched the calibre and reputation of the club, but despite some strong defence, especially by Olivia Budd who was awarded player of the match, we lost a competitive match.
Matches against Forescate and Almeerse followed, but even with some professional and hardworking performances from all our players, the Dutch players’ skill and athleticism was too much for Wilmslow’s touring side. Anna Perry
and Alina Booth were both voted ‘best players of the game’ against Forescate and Almeerse and Izzy Reynolds-Duffy was awarded ‘best player of the tour’.
We also travelled to Delft, the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer and the famous blue and white pottery which is made in the area. We ate in a traditional pancake house and some of us worked off our lunch by climbing The Oude Kerk (Old Church) which is a 75m brick tower in the heart of Delft. Our tour ended with some interesting sightseeing in Amsterdam.
The tour allowed players to gain valuable experience playing against some of the toughest opposition to date; we will look to use these experiences and improve our skill and fitness in the pursuit of county and national titles next year.
- Miss Ryan, team leader, PE
Wilmslow High School’s Year 10 football
squad enjoyed a successful football tour to
Valencia during the Easter holidays.
Our action packed 5 day and 4 night visit included a tour of Estadio De Mestalla, the home of Valencia FC, training with Valencia FC coaches and playing matches against local Spanish opposition.
Cultural experiences included a visit to the L’Oceangraphic City of Arts and Sciences and a tour around the beautiful historic centre of Valencia.
The boys’ experience was made even better with their performances on the pitch: both our A and B teams achieved comprehensive victories in all four games against Benicalp FC and Sporting Xirevella. The boys demonstrated a high level of skill, teamwork and organisation in the beautiful Spanish sunshine against strong opposition. Both teams learned valuable lessons playing a foreign country and while doing so, they had a fantastic time.
- Mr Sachro, PE teacher
A European challenge
Wilmslow on tour
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Leavers’ feature 2014
Name: Anna Bett
A-levels studied: history, English literature and
biolog y
Plans post 6th form: I have been offered a place
at Somerville College, Oxford to study history
What I’ll miss about Wilmslow High: my
teachers and having discussions with them
during lessons, both on topics related to the
curriculum and sometimes on completely
irrelevant but very interesting things!
Favourite memory: the month I spent in Borneo
with fellow 6th form students and teachers; I
gained a lot from the experience.
Most valued support: the school’s Oxbridge
programme. As well as providing sessions on
personal statements and interview preparation,
I was also put into contact with people who had
successfu lly been through the process.
Secrets to success: be prepared and organised. I f ind that staying on top of things helps to reduce stress and allows me to manage my time more effectively.
Advice to younger
students: plan ahead, work out what you want to do then work towards it and motivate yourself towards
achieving your goals.
Best advice for success in 6th form : work
hard and don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by the workload. Balance schoolwork and free-time in order to remain motivated.
Where do I want to be in 10
years?: I would like to have a doctorate and be involved in academic research.
Name: Elliot Green
A-levels studied: geography, biolog y, theatre studies and chemistry.
Plans post 6th form: Bangor University, studying zoology and animal behaviour.
What I’ll miss about Wilmslow High: the supportive and friendly attitude of all the staff, all of whom can be approached with any problem.
Favourite memory: there can’t just be one! I have really enjoyed being able to perform in the incredible school performances and experience the friendships back stage.
Most valued support: listening to my opinions and helping me to make changes that will benef it everyone in school.
Secrets to success: getting involved in a lot of activities outside the classroom in a variety of subjects.
Advice to younger students: take part in as many extra activites as you can. There are so many opportunities that you would be foolish to miss.
Best advice for success in 6th form : consider carefully what courses you want to do and think about which will help you most.
Where do I want to be in 10 years? : working in a zoo looking after some incredible animals and helping with conservation efforts.
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The feature article for this issue focuses on eight Year 13 students who have all been ‘High Performers’, in their own ways, during their time at Wilmslow. The eight students answered a series of questions in order to give a brief insight into their Wilmslow experience and to pass on advice to those who may
wish to follow in their footsteps.
Leavers’ feature 2014
Name: Millie Greenwood
A-levels studied: 16th century history, English language and sociolog y.
Plans post 6th form: I hope to go to the University of Sheff ield to study history.
What I’ll miss about Wilmslow High: seeing all of my friends every day and my form.
Favourite memory: leaving in Y ear 11 and having our shirts and leavers’ books signed by everyone.
Most valued support: teaching me not to ‘lose it’ and stress out over exams and revision, but instead just to be calm and relaxed.
Secrets to success: Not being afraid to ask questions or for help when I’ve needed it in class.
Advice to younger students: enjoy school and not loath it, because once you realise you ’re leaving and you ’re on your own or starting to work full time, you ’d wish you were back in high school, haha!
Best advice for success in 6th form : study subjects you enjoy. Don’t just choose a subject because you think it will ‘look good’ or your friends are taking it, because when it comes to exams you ’ ll regret not taking something you enjoy or f ind easy.
Where do I want to be in 10 years?: I hope to be in PR, journalism or the media hopefully either writing or presenting (if everything goes to plan!)
Name: Astrid Harris
A-levels studied: English literature, music,
theatre studies.
Plans post 6th form: study musical theatre at
Guildford School of Acting.
What I’ll miss about Wilmslow High: the
teacher support and the sense of community.
Favourite memory: performing with musical
theatre showcase.
Most valued support: giving me opportunities
to perform, as well as putting me in touch with
people who could help me achieve the things
I needed, to get to the university I wanted to
attend.
Secrets to success: taking every opportunity and
utilising the resources and skills of teachers to
push myself to be the best I can be.
Advice to younger students: take and use
all the help and information your teachers give
you; you will need it in the future for exams and
university.
Best advice for success in 6th form : don’t be
afraid of the workload, keep on top of it and you
will be able to achieve great things at 6th form.
They have great support networks to help you
through any problems.
Where do I want
to be in 10 years?: I hope to be acting on Broadway or the West End.
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The feature article for this issue focuses on eight Year 13 students who have all been ‘High Performers’, in their own ways, during their time at Wilmslow. The eight students answered a series of questions in order to give a brief insight into their Wilmslow experience and to pass on advice to those who may
wish to follow in their footsteps.
Name: Sarah Howells
A-levels studied: biolog y, chemistry and maths.Plans post 6th form: study medicine at Sheff ield University.
What I’ll miss about Wilmslow High: Mrs Lang!
Favourite memory: our team placed second in the National Trampoline F inals.
Most valued support: helping me through my university application.
Secrets to success: trying consistently to focus and work hard.
Advice to younger students: make the most of all the opportunities offered to you.
Best advice for success in 6th form : enjoy it, it goes very quickly!
Where do I want to be in 10 years?: practising medicine.
Name: Christian Braybrooke
A-levels studied: product design, media studies, business studies.
Plans post 6th form: to start a higher apprenticeship role, in either the aeronautical engineering industry, product design industry or IT.
What I’ll miss about Wilmslow High: the support from subject teachers, not only helping me progress in that subject, but also helping me plan what to do after leaving school or university.
Favourite memory: being part of the Bollin team when we won Sports Day several times! I also enjoyed the skiing trip and the German trip in Y ear 9.
Most valued support: having a mentor throughout the lower school for me to talk to if I ever got behind in my work because of my training.
Secrets to success: communicating with my subject teachers. If I have been struggling, I
have asked for additional help, or if I am falling behind, I tell the teachers before it is too late.
Advice to younger students: work hard, but also try and have fun. Get involved with as many activities as you can, because this is where you meet new people and learn valuable skills.
Best advice for success in 6th form : as long as you are prepared to work hard, it can be a lot of fun. There is more freedom than in lower school, however, I dont think its for everyone.
Where do I want to be in 10 years?: runnning my own product design business, once I have gained experience in the industry after I leave school.
Leavers’ feature 2014
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Name: F iona DaglishA-levels studied: biolog y, chemistry, maths, further maths.
Plans post 6th form: to study medicine at Newcastle UniversityWhat I’ll miss about Wilmslow High: being with my friends during lessons, free-time and sport - especia lly netball!
Favourite memory: Borneo, Maths Camp and getting my offer for Newcastle University!Most valued support: all the help the teachers gave me for exams.Secrets to success: being self-motivated to achieve grades to get into university.
Advice to younger students: make it easier on yourself by working hard right from the beginning of the year.
Best advice for success in 6th form : choose to do subjects that you like as it makes revision so much more enjoyable.Where do I want to be in 10 years?: specia lising in neurosurgery.
Name: Christopher Brodie
A-levels studied: biolog y, psychology,
geography.
Plans post 6th form: Bangor University to study
marine zoology and hopefully achieve a masters.
What I’ll miss about Wilmslow High: the
enjoyable working environment and friendly
atmosphere.
Favourite memory: the f irst tackle I made
in th 3rd round Daily Mail Cup game against
Altrincham Grammar.
Most valued support: making a safe working
environment where all staff and students work
together and help each other, creating a family
like atmosphere every lesson.
Secrets to success: revising future topics during
the summer holidays and working hard when
necessary.
Advice to younger
students: be yourself and
don’t change, because you
can only be truly happy
when you are proud of
who you are.
Best advice for success
in 6th form : accept that
the work is a lot harder
and more application
is required, then your
summer revision will be slightly easier and a lot
less stressfu l..
Where do I want to be in 10 years? : I hope to
be on the ocean somewhere working
for the government on conservation
matters.
Leavers’ feature 2014
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When did you first realise that you had sporting talent and who was your main source of support and guidance as a junior player?
At around 8 years old I started bowling out my older brothers, Tom and Toby, in garden cricket. They were my main source of support and guidance along with my Dad. Countless hours have been spent playing garden cricket amongst other sports.
You have achieved in lots of sports; do you have a favourite and if so, why?
Cricket. As much as I enjoy playing rugby in the winter amongst my other sports, there’s something special about cricket, especially batting, which makes all those hours in the field worthwhile. I’m not sure why I love cricket so much, I just know that I do, which is all that matters.
What would you say has been your greatest sporting achievement?
I have 2: becoming national champion for the U19 Boys Novice Trampoline Team and topping
the Cheshire Cricket Alliance 2nd XI batting averages at only 15 years of age with an average of 70.2 runs in a season.
What have been the biggest hurdles that you have had to climb in order to be a high achiever?
Making a strong commitment to a single team. There have been times when I’ve had to say to Mr Hancock, “sorry sir, can’t play rugby this weekend, I’m trampolining instead”, which has never been easy.
Which current day sports person do you admire most and why?
Jonny Wilkinson, because of the manner in which he is successful. With him, it’s all about practise, practise, practise. It comes as no surprise as to the legacy he’s earned for himself.
Who was your sporting hero as a child and why?
My two older brothers, Tom and Toby. They spent a lot of time playing sport with me and without them putting me in goal and perpetually taking shots at me I would never have become the standard of goalkeeper I am today!
Are there any downsides to having such an active involvement in sport?
The only downsides have been that I don’t get to put more effort into other sports. I’d love to play golf a lot more and I’d love to try American football having regularly watched the NFL over the past few years.
Elliot Rowe, Year 13
A levels studied
Maths, physics and PE
Plans post 6th form
Manchester Metroplitan University, 3 year
primary education course.
Teenage synchronised swimmers Olivia Monks and Fiona Currie are celebrating winning a gold medal at the British Gas Synchro Championships.
“I aspire to make the national team and
eventually become a coach”
- Fiona Currie
Fiona grabs gold at Sheffield!
High performers
Olivia Monks and Fiona Currie (right) celebrate their win
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If you could be a professional in one sport, which sport would you chose and why?
I’d be a professional golfer without a doubt. You get to travel the world doing a high earning job which most people just consider as a relaxing hobby.
Do you have any sporting aspirations once you leave school?
I’d like to try coaching primary aged children, passing on my knowledge and enthusiasm, so that they can receive the same opportunities I got at that age.
What would you say is your strongest sport, and what sport do you find you need to work at further?
I’d say my strongest sport is rugby, based upon my performances over the last 2 years in the school 1st XV team which reached the last 8 in the national cup competition. The sport I need to work hardest on is golf. With a lack of time I’ve not had the opportunity to realise my full potential. I’d eventually like to get my handicap down into single figures.
In your opinion, what makes a great captain?
A great captain is someone who leads by example, someone who sets the right tone for the way in which his players should play the game. Sam Lawton, who captained the 1st XV rugby team this year, was very good at doing just that.
Why do you commit to playing so much sport?
Not only do I enjoy playing sport but I also feel that it is very important to make the most of the talents that God has given me.
If you didn’t play sport, what would you do instead?
I’d spend more time working on my music, playing the piano, guitar and ukulele.
- Elliot Rowe
The 16 year old girls, who are members of Trafford Synchronised Swimming Club, won the technical duet competition at the tournament, which took place at Ponds Forge, Sheffield. They were the youngest duet competing at the event and it was the first time they had taken part in a British championship together.
Olivia, who lives in Warrington and Fiona, a student at Wilmslow High School narrowly missed out on a medal in the free duet category, coming fourth out of twelve.
The girls had to juggle their GCSE studies with training up to 15 hours per week in the run up to the competition. Coach, Annabelle Surch-Williams commented “the girls have done themselves and Trafford Synchronised Swimming Club proud. They gave a superb performance, and their achievement gives them a platform from which to build to be right up there in the medals later this year at their next national competition.”
- extract from The Wilmslow Messenger, 16th April 2014
BREAKING NEWS
Wilmslow High School footballer, Millie Turner, has got through to the FA Cup ladies final with her team Everton.
The match, against Arsenal Ladies, at MK Dons stadium, will be televised on BBC television on Sunday 1st June.
High performers
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NetballU16 National Sports Colleges winners and Cheshire championsU14 National Sports Colleges finalists
Senior rugbyQuarter finalists: Nat West Vase andCheshire 7s finalists
U12 boys hockeyPlayed 13 games, won 11 and lost only 2 in their first season, scoring 85 goals and conceding just 10.
U12 rugbyUnbeaten at the Manchester Grammar School 10s tournament.Plate winners at Bradford Grammar 7s
2013/14 sporting highlights
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High Performance celebrates sports success
U16 hockeySemi finalists in the north round of the nationals.Cheshire Cup championsRunners-up in Cheshire indoor competition
Trampolining elite and noviceNational team champions: U13 boys novice, U15 boys elite, and U19 boys noviceNorth champions (team): U13 boys novice, U15 boys novice, U15 boys elite, U19 boys noviceNorth champions (individual): Conor Smith and Issac Bass
U16 boys footballCheshire champions and Macclesfield and District Cup champions
U15 boys footballMacclesfield and District Cup champions
U14 boys footballMacclesfield and District Cup champions
U12 girls football Macclesfield and District 5-a-side winners, Cheshire 5-a-side champions and national 5 a-side semi-finalists
U12 boys footballMacclesfield and District Cup runners up and Macclesfield and District 5-a-side winners
2013/14 sporting highlights
The annual Wilmslow High School Dance Show took place on the 1st May.
A large number of committed students took part, making it a huge success! The show gave them the opportunity to showcase their work and choreography from over the past year.
The dance show included routines performed by Year 7 - 11 Arts Xtra dance clubs, boys’ street dance, a sharing of work by Company Chameleon and both GCSE and A level dance exam work.
The range of styles from contemporary to street dance certainly left the audience entertained!!
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has continued to grow and develop at Wilmslow High School with over 25 staff volunteers supporting the award and over 150 students participating across bronze, silver and gold levels.
Last term saw students making good progress with the physical activity, skill and volunteering sections of the award and completing their training for the expeditions. Thank you to Mrs Woodley for helping to organise
Annual dance show
dazzles audience
D of E programme goes from strength to strength
Duke of Edinburgh and Arts X-tra
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some funds raised by our local community through Waitrose and to all the school staff for their enthusiasm, commitment and time.
98 students participated in bronze training expeditions, walking from Baslow to Bakewell with a night camping at Barn Farm in Birchover in April. The facilities at the campsite were great and there were lots of noisy peacocks and furry alpacas! The weather was kind to us and the students demonstrated competency in navigation and camp craft and made some interesting meals on Trangia stoves!
Duke of Edinburgh and Arts X-tra
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INTRODUCTION OF NEW PE KIT
From September 2014 all Year 7 students
(current Year 6) will be wearing this new Puma
branded kit for PE lessons. Students in all year
groups will be required to wear this new PE kit
from September 2015, although if any students
in Years 8 - 11 wish to purchase the new PE
kit for this coming year it is available from
Monkhouse in Cheadle Hulme from the end of
July onwards.
