On Saturday 6 July parents, pupils, staff and friends of St John’s gathered to mark the end of another successful academic year at the school. Parents and children had the opportunity to admire and celebrate the wonderful work that was on display around the school, at Byron House, Senior House and Whitfield House. After the prize-giving service in the marquee, families relaxed with a picnic lunch before the Form 1 to Form 6 children took part in an afternoon of sports.
Guest speaker, Professor Sir Christopher Dobson ScD FRS FMedSci, Master of St John’s College, gave an inspirational and heartfelt talk offering wise advice to the Form 6 (Year 8) children leaving to embark on the next stage of their education. The St John’s College Choir also provided a musical interlude during the speeches and before the prize-giving commenced, conducted by Mr Andrew Nethsingha (Director of Music at St John’s College).
After lunch, spirits were extremely high as the Form 3 to 6 geared up for an afternoon of athletics. A host of running and jumping events were hotly contested between the respective houses during the afternoon which ended after the relays. Some long jump, javelin, discus and a range of other athletic disciplines had already taken place prior to Speech and Sports Day.
Mr Gareth McComb, Director of Sport, explained, “The amount of effort put in on both days was tremendous. On Saturday, some of the children showed incredible perseverance with the wet weather but it did not stop their positive attitudes or them performing well. Particularly on the Sat and putting up with the rather mixed weather which did not affect the pupils performing incredibly well. 10 new school records were set this year and the House prizes and winner of the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Victor and Victrix Ludorum were announced at the end of term Prize Giving Service.” One of the Form 1 participants remarked, “I took part in the 100m sprint and was delighted when my friend crossed the line first. We all congratulated each other when the relays had ended as everyone tried their hardest for their House and showed good sportsmanship.”
