Sports Day 2021

After last year's virtual event, this year we were determined to bring Sports Day back "for real" - and the 2021 event delivered! Year group bubbles were the order of the day, with separate sections of the field for each group of competitors. Year 7 and 8 started on the top field for the Tug of War, whilst Years 9 and 10 began the day with track and field events on the bottom field and the 3G. After break, both halves of the school swapped over, before all coming together in year group areas to watch and compete in the the track finale: 100m, 200m, 300m and 4x100m relay. 

House spirit was in full display, with the mascots making a big entrance and encouraging their teams throughout the day. Face-paint and glitter was liberally applied - to the extent that some Windsor students began to resemble their smurf mascot! - and the cheering never let up from start to finish. The whole day was soundtracked by Mr Hartley in the DJ booth, including singlaongs to Three Lions and Sweet Caroline in anticipation of the England men's football team's appearance in the final of the Euros. 

Competitors and spectators were well catered for, with Aspen's providing all-day barbecue food and the Sixth Form ice-cream stand proving very popular! The Sixth Form provided much support for the day, acting as guides, timekeepers, litter-pickers, umpires and more. 

At the business end of the day, the competition was fierce. Peter Skeen (Year 11) and Mr Gale kept the scores and records regularly updated in a magnificently sprawling spreadsheet. In total eight school records and twenty seven house records were broken on the day. You can see all the record breakers below: 

The broken records all contributed to the overall competition, which saw Tudor House establish an early lead. Lancaster mustered a late surge with some very impressive sprint performances, whilst Hanover overtook Windsor into second place by one point courtesy of a victory in the final event of the day - the Year 10 boys' 4x100m relay. Tudor's lead proved unassailable, and they completed the double by also lifting the Tug of War Trophy. 

Thanks to all the competitors, spectators and staff who made Sports Day possible. It was just what we needed after the year we've had! Enjoy some pictures from the day in the gallery below. 

 Finally, our student reporters were out and about throughout the day, and got their newspaper published almost as soon as the winner was announced1! You can read The Finishing Line below: 

Finally, read student journalist Sophia Papasouliotis's report below: 

Sporting successes and blistering heat: the return of Churchill’s most anticipated event

Last year’s lack of Sports Day left a noticeable gap in Churchill’s academic calendar for all members of the Academy. But on Friday the 9^th of July it was back and better than ever. Students and staff from all 5 houses gathered on the fields to celebrate the best of Churchill athleticism.

Year 9 and 10 took to the track first for the long distance events. Points were swiftly gathered by all houses as students took part in a range of events. In one event, the Y9 boy 1500m, Herbie Cooksley took a staggering lead which left several spectators “astonished”.

A true sense of team spirit built throughout the day with one Tudor mascot, describing how “completely honoured” he felt to represent the house. The loud cheers of fellow spectators almost drowned out the announcements of Mr Hartley who explained over the microphone that team support is “what Sports Day is all about”.

Minty Bird, Y9 girl welly wang winner found the occasion joyous, being quoted as “living, laughing and loving”. This energy spread throughout the school, but the heat got to the best of some students, with the humid weather described as “too hot”. However, students could find solace in the cooling refreshments of the Sixth Form stall, purchasing so much that several restocks were necessary.

New house Lancaster did not disappoint, breaking an impressive 12 records and celebrating an overall Y8 win. A collection of new house and school records showed the true dedication of students and represented just how excited everyone was to have Sports Day back. Ultimately, it was Tudor house who came out on top with a behemoth total of 1497 points and a win in the tug of war category. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and record breakers.

Sophia Papasouliotis 9WKH