Extracurricular Activities: Learning Skills for Life - St Columba's School

12 | sPoRT AnD PHysICAL eDuCATIon THE COLUMBAn ISSUE 31
Rowing
Chloe Lyth (SIV) has taken part in the world’s largest women’s
rowing regatta, the Women’s Eights Head of the River 2011
Tideway. The course is identical to that taken by the famous
Boat Race and covers a distance of 7km. Chloe was part of
a composite crew from Castle Semple Rowing Club and
Glasgow Rowing Club. From a starting position of 277, the
crew finished 249th out of 303 boats and 9th out of 20 in their
racing category in a very respectable time of 22.56.12 minutes.
The race included the GB Olympic crew and was won overall
by The Leander Rowing Club in 18.06.57minutes.
Chloe Lyth (SIV) second from left
Scottish Primary Schools’
Cross Country
Teams from J6 and Transitus took part in the Scottish Primary
Schools’ Cross Country Championships at Kirkcaldy. Laura
Stark won individual gold and Iona Miller won individual
silver. The Transitus girls’ team won team gold (Laura, Iona,
Emma Devine, Eilidh Love, Catriona Allan). The Transitus
girls’ B team were 9th, (Imogen Davies, Julia Cunning and
Catherine Martin) The J6 girls were 12th (Kathryn Meenan,
Annaliese nixon, Amy Crawford and Alaina Taylor) and
the J6 boys (Cameron Marr, Max nugent, Jonathon Bradford
and Rowan Gibson and Robbie Murdoch) were 10th. Jamie
Eatock and Josh Hendry, both Transitus, were 15th and 39th
respectively.
Scottish Schools’
Swimming Finals
Two pupils from Transitus qualified for the Brodie Scottish
Schools’ Swimming Championships, held at Tollcross Glasgow
in January. Eilidh Love (Trans) swam in the 50m backstroke
for 12 and under girls and Iona Miller (Trans) swam in the
50m freestyle in the same age group. Eilidh was placed 4th
in her heat and progressed to the final where she was 9th
overall. Both girls swam personal best times and enjoyed the
experience of swimming at this prestigious venue, which will
host the 2014 Commonwealth Games swimming events.
Junior School
Swimming Gala
Junior School pupils enjoyed the afternoon at the Johnstone
Baths. Kim Crawford and Calvin Wardell, both J5, were
awarded Swimming Champions for 2010-11.
netball
St Columba’s A team competed at the Inverclyde netball
Summer Tournament Qualifiers at Greenock Sports Centre in
March. The girls won all of their matches and secured a place
in the finals. Despite some tough competition, St Columba’s
managed to win the overall tournament by one point. This is
the second consecutive year the team has won the event and
the girls were delighted.
An apology to Emma Devine (Trans), who was the
third member of the Primary Girls’ winning team at the
Inverclyde Cross Country Championships
THE COLUMBAn ISSUE 31 senIoR VI | 13
The Role of House Captain
(naill skelton)
Serving as House Captain of Craigmarloch has given me a great opportunity to
develop my cooperation and organisational skills, whether by being involved in the
swimming gala, the inter-house quiz or the monthly House Assemblies. Leading
House Assemblies offers a chance for Captains to get to know their House pupils and
set an example. House Assemblies usually consist of an update on how the House
is doing, a presentation of star badges to pupils who have contributed significantly
to the House and a motivational speech in order to spur on the pupils to do their
best. Although the Captains have an important role, they are helped along the
way by their fellow 6th years. It is crucial for the House Captain to be enthusiastic
and fun in order to create an atmosphere in which younger pupils feel comfortable
and relaxed. On a personal level, Captains must make sure they come across as
approachable, so that pupils feel they can discuss any matter with them, especially
if they don’t feel comfortable speaking to their Head of House about it. As a House
Captain I have benefited immensely: I have learned how to communicate with
different types of people, how to address various situations and how important it is
to be responsible, as I realise that my actions influence others.
SVI Extravaganza
(Heather Brandon)
The Class of 2011 organised a Sixth Year Extravaganza to raise
funds for their yearbook. Despite the gruelling rehearsals, we
enjoyed a marvellous show, which featured everything from
Guns ‘n Roses to Grease, Blackadder to the Hangover, and,
of course, the rugby boys dressed in some very questionable
fashion! It was an opportunity to showcase the many
talents possessed by members of the year group, including
piano playing, juggling, singing, dancing and some spot-on
mimicry. Running over two nights, the show was a resounding
success, due to the incredible commitment of staff, the SV
backstage helpers and the SVI performers. Most importantly,
everyone pulled together and played an important part in
the production. In the end we raised over £2,000 towards the
yearbook. Well done Sixth year, we’re electrifying…