Latest News From The PE Department March 2009

“Outstanding” judgement in Ofsted has led to the department being sought after for consultative reasons. Mr Broad has presented in front of the entire County’s Directors of Sport at a termly meeting, for subject leaders at the Friary and for three other schools in the County plus a planned visit from QE Mercian School, Atherstone. Since the last governors report we have been rewarded with a National Award at the Education Business Awards held at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal. Mr Brough and Mr Broad attended and won the Sports Facility Award presented to them by Philippa Forrester. A great accolade for the school. In December we found out that the school had been awarded Sportsmark. This is given to schools that provide high quality curricular and extra curricular provision. The award lasts for 12 months – Sportsmark logo to be put on new stationery from September 2009. Other major news has been the awarding of £225,000 from a Sports College support fund following an application submitted by Director of Sport, Barry Broad. The project is to extend and replace the existing Tennis Court area with a multi-purpose astro turf surface, fencing and lighting. Brilliant news. The school is also establishing a closer school club link with Lichfield City Soccer Club who are hoping to gain funding for a 3G Soccer Facility (astro turf) on our school field – projected for 2010. At present the club use both soccer pitches behind the Pavilion for weekend matches. Other school club links are established with Lichfield and Whittington Cricket Clubs, Lichfield Cycling Club and Lichfield Rugby Club which involves community use of our facilities. Another venture, began in conjunction with the Sports College plans, has already helped establish more success and another first in the school’s history. We have a very good relationship with Lichfield Hockey Club using their new astro turf for school matches. Coaches have helped in curricular and extra curricular time. In January the Friary Under 14 team became Staffordshire Champions beating Newcastle Under Lyme School 9-2 in the final. This meant we represented Staffordshire in the Midland Cup and have beaten Shropshire’s Church Stretton School 4-1 in the quarter finals – we play Trent College at home in the semi final. Excellent press coverage from Lichfield Mercury has covered many of our successes. Rugby – lost in the quarter final stage in U13, U14 and U16 age groups. The U15’s face Newcastle Under Lyme at home in the semi final and the 1st XV face John Taylor High School. Friary beat Queen Mary's Walsall in the quarter finals at this age group. County Representatives this season so far: - Rugby Boys U13's - 3, U14's - 1, U16's -2, U17's -3 and U18's -3. Girls - A new school club link has been created with Lichfield Rugby Club with Sarah Hunter a club and England player coming in to coach the Y7 girls who have been entered in a county competition. U15’s Sarah Nicholas + West Midlands. Hockey Boys – U13’s -1, U14’s – 2 Girls – U13’s – 3, U15’s – 3 Midland Hockey: - Lori and Robbie Gleeson. The Y8 girls are currently lying second in their league with only one game left to play. Year 9 girls are also doing well in their league. Cross Country Alice Cattell, Louis Dawson and Lily Sutton.  Football England Development Squad - Katie Wilkinson. 4 girls in Aston Villa Academy set up.               Y8 boys Cannock & District 5 a-side champions.       Girls Football: - The U16’s were entered in the R. A. F. national competition and represented Staffordshire before being beaten in the last 32 in the country. The U15’s are currently playing in the ESFA national cup and are playing for a place in the last 8 in the country. The U13’s were entered in the Minute Maid cup, another national competition; they became Staffordshire Champions and went on to the regional rounds unfortunately losing in the last 16. The year 9 team has qualified for the finals of their Cannock and District indoor football competition. The U13 team competed in the Aston Villa indoor tournament they played very well and finished runners up, beaten in the final by St Peters School Solihull. Netball U14 - Laura Eggington Friary have hosted the following netball competitions - U14 National Sports College Tournament.  Y10 Cannock & District Tournament. Tournament for touring teams from QES Kirby Lonsdale. Gymnastics The girls had a very successful Cannock and District gymnastic competition this year. Three teams were entered with the following success: - Team 1 - Emily Canning, Natalie Jones, Lauren Court, Lucy Parker, Holly Powell - took team gold Team 2 - Demi Sanders, Sophie Meek, Shelby Chapman, Sophie James, Maddy Sadler - took team silver Individuals - Emily Canning took individual gold and Natalie Jones & Lucy Parker took silver. Many tournaments to be played in the last few weeks of term. SSCO Y11 Inter form cycling was a great success. This took place during tutorial as an initiative which was well received by most forms. Basketball festival for Y5 & Y6 held before Christmas. Gymnastics Festival cancelled due to the snow but this popular festival has been rearranged. Coaching will be by Friary pupils. Dance leader award set up in conjunction with Netherstowe for the first time. Big lottery fund used for a football and fitness coach. Sports unlimited money for boxercise classes for KS4. Mrs Bennett runs a staff Aerobics session on a Monday evening and there is a staff swimming session too. The PE department therefore impact on the staff “well being” process. A vast extra curricular programme is in place for pupils.