December 2007 - South Wilts Grammar School for Girls

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ONWARDS During the October half term break this year thirty six students accompanied by football coach Symon Pickett, netball coach Sue Drummond and basketball Team Manager and parent Tracey Badham, set off for Malta on the first ever South Wilts Sports Tour. Travelling to Luton at 3am and then on to Malta via a Malta Air charter flight added to the girls’ excitement as they anticipated hot sunny weather and challenging sporting encounters. On reaching Malta and their 4 star hotel the SWGS tour group landed with a bit of a thud as the evening Island Cruise had to be cancelled due to high winds. Unusual weather conditions persisted into Monday devastating the scheduled netball and football training sessions and first day fixtures. Without a contingency plan in place the tour operator Sweet Chariot resorted to improvising with limited indoor playing areas. In the evening the National football side decided not to turn up so South Wilts turned their first fixture into another training opportunity. The SWGS U18 basketball team played the Maltese national side in the evening at a ‘state of the art’ Maltese National Sports Stadium. South Wilts found their opponents’ very ‘physical’ and ‘unfriendly’ approach quite intimidating, and struggled to find their own rhythm until late in the game. The home side secured a convincing win which sent the South Wilts girls home quite demoralised. By Wednesday the weather had improved immeasurably so the tour group took time to explore the capital Valetta, to take in a movie Maltese style, and to shop for souvenirs. The highlight of the day was the Go Karting activity in which Caoimhe Tiernan recorded the fastest race time and came third in the final, the only girl against a line up of boys. Thursday was the final tournament day. Each team had their last training session in the morning and then completed their fixtures in the afternoon or evening. The SWGS ’A’ netball team succumbed to the pressure of a tough Maltese side, losing narrowly in the final minutes. The SWGS ’B’ side however maintained their composure and came out clear winners, having beaten every team they had played during the week. Not to be outdone the basketballers came home with a win and the footballers managed to draw 2 – 2 in their final match. The last night’s presentations and disco saw South Wilts collect an enormous trophy as the Senior Netball winners (B squad), with participation plaques for the basketball and football teams, and a Malta Rally trophy for the school. The girls also brought home with them memories of challenging and enjoyable sporting experiences, and a real sense of team spirit and friendship. The Malta Sports tour cost £459 per student. Fundraising activities raised another £1,000 to pay for coach travel to and from Luton, and for staff coaching kit. Each girl was given a small travel bag, generously donated by a parent and each girl purchased a personalised hooded sweatshirt for the tour. Special thanks go to Symon, Sue and Tracey who generously and willingly gave up their time and expertise to lead and support the SWGS Malta Sports Tour, especially in the absence of a member of staff from South Wilts. Sports Tour Participants: Basketball – Laura Garbett, Katie Glover, Katie Godber, Emily Green, Luci Hill, Catherine Palmer, Storm Kirkham, Georgina Raven and Michelle Todd. Football – Laura Beal, Hannah Billingham, Frances Carney, Zoe Cullen, Naomi Goddard, Olivia Jennings, Emma Keegan, Blanche Lumb, Lucy Phipps, Hayley Ranachan, Louise Sleeman, Hannah Smith and Caoimhe Tiernan. Netball – Laura Arrandale, Mamie Attwell Thomas, Louise Badham, Sarah Butterfield, Charlotte Corson, Martha Fishwick, Megan Hollinghurst, Alice Hoole, Alice Judd, Nicola Marsden, Nancy Pallas, Rosie Peters, Emma Redgrove, and Gemma Young. (Mrs Godber) 8
ONWARDS British Schools’ Orienteering Championships South Wilts entered two teams in the 2007 British Schools’ Orienteering Championships held at Bovington, Dorset in November. The Year 10 team of Jenny Spring, Millie Clifford and Sophie Davie placed 2 nd in the team competition, Alice Butt placed first in the Y13 individual event and South Wilts came 5 th overall. The following girls received certificates for their excellent effort: Lower Secondary Girls – Flora Burns, Lucy Butt, Hannah Kirkham, Holly Kirkham Intermediate Secondary Girls – Amelia Clifford, Sophie Davie and Jenny Spring Upper Secondary Girls – Abi Burns, Alice Butt, Jemma Davie, Emma Spring and Amy Whetstone. (Mrs Godber) Football Double Final Success The SWGS U16 Football team have made it a double by beating Avon Valley Sports College 11 - 0 in the semi final of the U16 Girls Wiltshire County Cup competition. Last Thursday the South Wilts U13 football team made the final of the County Cup by beating Commonweal (Swindon) in extra time. Not to be outdone, the Under 16's also claimed their place in the final at Chippenham on Wednesday, 5th December by consistently putting the ball in the net. The U16 team, comprised of mainly the Year 10 & 11 players who came third in the English Schools’ National Cup last year, cruised to a 6 - 0 lead at halfway against Avon, whose lack of match practice was all too evident. Captain Hannah Billingham led the way with 5 goals, Hayley Ranachan secured 3, Izzy Grigg 2 and Olivia Jennings nailed her first competitive score of the season just before the half time whistle. South Wilts U16's will now play St Edmund's for the County title and a chance to qualify for an inter county competition in the New Year. Team members: Zoe Cullen, Laura Beal, Sarah Mills, Naomi Goddard, Louise Sleeman, Hannah Billingham (C), Hayley Ranachan, Hannah Smith, Izzy Grigg, Olivia Jennings, Rachael Kidner, Frances Carney and Mairead Sheehan. (Mrs Godber ) Nestle Year 8 Girls Knock-Out Competition Having won the Wiltshire round of the National Schools Tennis Competition the Year 8 squad (who were now in year 9) were drawn against Headington School in Oxford for the knockout stage of the tournament. The fixture took place on Monday 1 st October at Victoria Park, comprising two doubles and four singles matches. The opposition was tough and very well practised, all holding impressive LTA ratings. Nevertheless, South Wilts put up a good fight and refused to give up. In the end however, Headington School proved too strong, winning five sets to one. South Wilts should hold its head high for achieving this high standard and look forward to the next season and further success. Well done to Flora Burns, Jess Wheeler, Lottie Wells and Kirsty Ballard. (Miss Salen) Salisbury Schools’ National Cross Country Final The SWGS Intermediate cross country team of Imogen Wolsey, Holly Kirkham, Hannah Kirkham, Lucy Butt, Sophie Davie, Victoria James, Flora Burns, Amy McDermott, Hannah Gidney-Bullard, Amelia Clifford and Jennifer Spring has qualified for the final of the National Schools’ Cross Country event. Six of the eleven squad members will run on the day, over a 2.7km course at St Columba's College in St Albans, on Saturday 1st December 2007. Congratulations on making the Schools’ Final two years in a row, and this year (a year young) in the Intermediate grade! Have a great run. Go South Wilts. (Mrs Godber) Basketball The SWGS U19 team have played four fixtures in the English Schools’ Cup competition. They had comfortable wins against Malmesbury School and St Cuthbert Mayne from Torquay, but somehow lacked their usual ‘get up and go' against Queen Elizabeth and Maynard Schools from Exeter during a one day tournament at Tidworth Leisure Centre. The U19 basketball team have unfortunately not progressed through to the next round but can now look forward to some ’friendly’ fixtures against Wiltshire teams. Two members of the U19 basketball team have extended their skills in another direction - as Level 1 coaches. Congratulations go to Storm Kirkham and Katie Glover on this excellent achievement. (Mrs Godber) 9
Page 1 and 2: ONWARDS Message from Mrs Stratton T
Page 3 and 4: ONWARDS Senior Maths Challenge A te
Page 5 and 6: Recipe for a Good School Trip 10g C
Page 7: ONWARDS School Sports Coordinator a

December 2007 - South Wilts Grammar School for Girls

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