The Flagpole

Well done to Year 9 Bea Boakes, who took part in the British Shooting Olympic Skeet Talent Pathway competition in Cambridgeshire at the beginning of Half Term.

Skeet ranges are arranged in a semi-circle and have two machines that throw out clays at different heights. They launch a series of 25 targets in a specific order - some as singles and some as doubles and as Bea herself says, ‘it is hard and fast.’

Bea has been shooting for two years and only started the Skeet shooting discipline at the beginning of the year. She has been honing her skills at the Edgehill Shooting Ground near Banbury.

The two-day competition with mixed teams, ages and ability was a great experience for Bea. It was her first ever shooting competition and gave her the opportunity to learn the rules and the ropes. After a challenging Saturday she smashed it on Sunday setting two personal bests and winning herself a new gun bag in the process.

Bea really enjoyed shooting with the different abilities and ages and she said, “I learned so much just from one competition; I was really pleased to double my score overnight! The whole event was a great exepirence, and I am looking forward to trying again next year and hoping to progress further.”

That’s a fantastic attitude Bea, keep up the practising and good luck in your next event.

As per the Headmaster’s letter it is fantastic that the updated DfE guidelines continue to allow schools to consider the provision of extra-curricular activities to all pupils.  We know how important it is for our pupils to take part in their passions, whether that is computing in the IDLE Club, attending the Fashion Academy or taking part in Netball training. All of these activities will make for happier, healthier children and this is what we all want at this time. 

The aim of the Princethorpe co-curricular programme links incredibly strongly with the three aims in the Government guidance below:

·         support the rebuilding of friendships and social engagement

·         address and equip pupils to respond to issues linked to coronavirus (COVID-19)

·         support pupils with approaches to improving their physical and mental wellbeing

As always, we will continually review this situation however, at this current point in time, we feel this is the right decision for our programmes. We continue to encourage all pupils to adhere to our Covid expectations, including hand sanitising before and after activities, maintaining their social distancing bubbles and following all the risk assessments that have been put in place for each activity.

Please see the full co-curricular calendar for this half of the Michaelmas Term by clicking here. 

You are not required to pre-book however some activities and clubs operate on an invitation only basis. If you have any questions about an activity or club, please speak to the teacher in question listed.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our co-curricular programme. 

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular