Front Cover and back cover 2010 christmas - Stanwell School

Interviews
English A Level students have enjoyed
interviewing sporting and musical stars of the school.
First into the room was Tom Downey Year
11, trombonist. A reserved character in spite
a bowler than a batter”, and that her cricketing
of his imposing figure, he swiftly divulged his
instrument of choice – the trombone – and
his ensuing success: in March he played in
Carnegie Hall, New York as a part of the
Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Wind
Band. He hopes to progress into orchestras
one day, perhaps even giving lessons. Not
bad for someone who took up the trombone
on the basis that “there were no trumpets
left!”
Following his punctual departure, Emma Davies
(Year 8 cricketer) joined us. Emma,
having started her career in cricket during
her primary school years, was picked for
Wales by the time she was eleven – an honour
she has retained to this day as a member
of the All Girls Welsh Under 15s. She
went on to inform me that she “was more of
has allowed her to compete against other
counties, Gloucestershire, for example.
On followed Natalie Gill (Year 10 gymnast).
Natalie was very modest – endearingly so, in
fact; she reeled off her achievements – most
notably a gold in the British Gymnastics Finals
– and detailed her intensive training routine
(four sessions a week, poor girl!) Nonetheless,
she told me, she feels as though it is worth the
effort. And I do not doubt her; only last weekend
had she won a bronze for her performance
in a regional competition.
The concluding interviewee was Matteo
Holmes (Year 10 athlete). He was an interesting
figure to observe; his character oozed a
quiet, assured confidence. And one could be
left with little doubt as to why this was following
the blitz of medals he has won. A weekly
diet of two hours javelin and likewise for hammer
has resulted in: Welsh Championships –
gold in hammer, bronze in discus and javelin;
Welsh Inter-regional Championships – gold in
hammer and javelin; South Wales Interregional
Championships – gold in hammer and
javelin. What I found most intriguing about all
of the above was their modesty; they had no
real inclination to compile grandiose lists of
awards and appearances. Rather, I had to
prise the details of their achievements out of
them! Matteo’s closing line epitomised this for
me: “Anything else?” I enquired after the impressive
résumé (jokingly, of course). “A couple,
yeah” was his response. Marvellous.
Written by TGH. With thanks to Caitlin
Couper.
“a gold in the British Gymnastics Finals”