By Mrs Causebrook

7 .

What do you think that number represents?

Number of minutes it takes some of you to find you left trainer?

7 is the number of sports we have had girls represent the school in: netball, hockey, dance, gymnastics, football, cross country and swimming

31.

What do you think that number represents?

How many hair bobbles that have been lost during PE?

Number of matches played against other schools in the U9, U10 and U11 age groups since September

42.

The number of girls in year 3-6 who have represented the school in a fixture, production or competition, which as a percentage is – 91.3% !!!!

What an incredible seven months of sport it has been at SHS Junior School. This year our mission statement was simple: Every girl in year 3 – 6 should have the chance to experience a carousel of sports as well as be presented with as much opportunity to represent the school as possible- and you have smashed it!

Our major team sports have been netball, hockey and football, and what a season it has been.

If I talk about the U9s this year – the squad has predominantly been made up of the year 4s with some brave year 3’s. They kicked things off with a hockey tournament over at Oswestry and the squad played brilliantly winning 3 of their games with goals from Eilis, Pippy and Esme. In netball the girls played Prestfelde and Wrekin, and also joined Oswestry in their spring tournament. I know Miss Thompson, Mrs Sadd and Mrs Reece have been really impressed with all of the girls performances.

In football the girls were able to show case their skills with everyone in year 3 and 4 representing the school in a match against Harlsecott Juniors. The fixture picked the first (and indeed only) sunny day in February to welcome the opposition and Mr Blenkinsop and Mrs Sadd said that there were moments on both pitches where you girls were doing some fantastic passing, tackling and shooting. To quote Mr Blenkinsop, ‘the girls battled fiercely and showcased some amazing talent and tenacity’ and at the end of the two matches we had won one 1-0, and scored two brilliant goals in a 3-2 narrow defeat. I feel some future Lionesses might be lying in wait.

For the U11s, the season has been really successful with the almost all of girls in year 5 and 6 representing the school across our three sports. In netball they took notable and strong victories over Birchfield and Wrekin teams, and enjoyed some wonderful festivals of netball at Oswestry, Wolverhampton, and Prestfeld.  The shooting circles for both teams have developed well. Bea and Zara have a great shooting relationship on one team and the rotation between Molly, Mara and Tabitha in the other has been refreshingly strong. Lisa received the award for most improved player at the Wolverhampton festival and India received the award for displaying great teamwork. I have had the privilege of coaching them this season at their lunchtime club and I must admit I thought I had my work cut out in the beginning as even passing two balls between us seemed a little out of reach but with the dedication the girls have shown they have been able to perform well against tough opposition this year.

In U11 hockey news, Miss Furber and Mr Moore are incredibly proud of the Thursday -night hockey warriors who trained through rain (that could only be described as sideways at some points) in the depths of winter. Whether it was in the U11 county tournament, a fixture against Birchfield, or even a cheeky  unexpected match against Thomas Telford’s year 7 b team, the girls were brilliant. Pollyanna and Clara were asked to play up alongside some other year 5 and 6 girls in these matches. A shout out to Abi, who joined the school as an established goalkeeper half way through the season and instantly strengthened the team by stopping lots of shots at goal.

The U10s county hockey tournament took place just yesterday and in the warmth of the spring sun the girls only lost one game, drew one game and won several against local independent schools including Moreton Hall, Packwood and Wrekin to name a few!

The U11s have their final fixture of the Winter/Spring season next Wednesday which is in football against Harlescott, and – whilst I know we are all feeling a little bit tired, ready to eat our body weight in Easter eggs and have a good old sleep – we have to turn the gas on for just a little bit longer – so good luck to those girls in that event.

Alongside all the team sports we also represented in our individual performances with dance, gymnastics, swimming and cross country running.

The girls who worked tirelessly and professionally to perform in the winter dance was breathtaking. As we all know – Mrs Reece’s standards are so high she breathes sparkles and perfection – and you met every expectation.

And not long after there was a selection of girls who entered a swimming gala which took place at Shrewsbury School at the end of February. It was wonderful to hear how each girl performed really well in their races. We had lots of 1^st and 2^nd place finishes in the girls races and the relay races were all gold medal winning performances. There is another gala happening just after the Easter break so please do look out for that information.

In gymnastics Tabitha Garrison secured gold at the Junior Schools U11 Key Steps 3 competition. Alongside her were Ariadne, Molly, Grace, Mara and Penny, all of whom impressed the judges with their clean and clinical floor routines and powerful squat on vaults. Unfortunately Helena injured her toe so was unable to compete despite having trained with the girls up until that point.

We look forward to the year 3 and 4 competition next Friday where Myrtle, Cressida, Tamara, Imogen, Miko, Eilis, Seffie, Emily and Addie will compete in their Key Steps 2 floor competition and vault. I have been delighted to coach them since September and I am extremely excited, as I hope the girls will be, to see them shine next week.

A fortnight ago we had a brilliant turn out for the district cross country championships at SSV – lots of girls took part and we were able to secure teams for each age group. The year 4 team which consisted of Esme, Jessica and Ida finished a respectable 5^th with Esme placing highest in 10th position. The year 3 team consisting of Imogen, Etty, Eadie and Cressida also finished 5^th as a team with Etty finishing the highest place at 16^th. The Year 5 team finished a fantastic 2^nd  with Harriet coming a fantastic 6th place.

Finally it was the Year 6s turn to race and they were as equally successful as the teams before them. Finishing 2^nd in the team competition with two girls placing in the top four: Grace (who finished 2^nd) and Mara (who finished 4^th).

Grace and Mara also represented SHS on Tuesday at the Shropshire schools cross country championship at Oswestry school, Grace finished 13^th and Mara finished 20^th in the year 6/7 age group, so with next year still to go the future is looking bright. The girls were brilliant and should be very proud of their achievements.

Mara also headed over to Attingham Park on Thursday 19^th March in the junior schools cross country championships and finished a fantastic 3^rd –  a wonderful achievement to get on the podium in the season.

And whilst we are sticking with the cross country theme I know that there are also 32 girls in Juniors who have signed themselves up for the Shropshire schools half marathon challenge. Girls have to run 12 miles between the start of this half term and the 24^th of April, then on the 25^th of April we are all heading to the showground where we will run the last 1.1 mile together. Our t-shirts will be with us when we get back after the Easter break and I am looking forward to seeing so many smiling faces when the girls cross the finish line!

Girls, you have been brave, determined, sweaty and occasionally caked in mud. You’ve shown teamwork -resilience – and that famous SHS sparkle.

What a year – and we’re not even finished yet.

Match Report

On Wednesday evening our Year 8 badminton team played a friendly fixture against Church Stretton School. The eight girls played with great confidence and enthusiasm. They won most of the doubles and singles matches, demonstrating the skills they have developed through consistent attendance at badminton club over the last 2 years. Well done girls!