The Lent term draws to a close and as it does, we complete a year under heavy social restrictions. It would be nice to think that we can get back to some sort of normality with inter-school sport and that way each season has been missed once. This would be neat and tidy but the pandemic has had more twists and turns than a, well, twisty, turny thing (thanks Blackadder) and next term remains uncertain in this regard. The fixtures have been arranged, as they have been for preceding terms, and we will take each week as it comes.
As I said last week, the boys have been glad to be back, and we have enjoyed seeing them back. PE lessons and Games sessions have, quite literally, come to life. Groups have been in the nets, out on our transformative playing fields, as they turn to summer use. In athletics, the track on New Piece is back and being well-used. Shot, soft javelin, vortex howler and long jump have been making an appearance.
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It is traditional at this time for me to award hockey, rugby and swimming colours. Full colours are awarded in our major games for ever-present contribution to the first team, half colours for making an appearance - as if 'capped'. In our minor sports, such as swimming, full colours go to those who have contributed with skilled ability over the course of their Pilgrims' career. Half goes to those who have made appearances. I would like to think that a Pilgrim goes through his school career watching those role models in the years above him, competing during a season and earning his colours at the end of it. I don't want this year group deprived of this final moment, at the end of years of sporting service. In a term of, 'what might have' or ' could have beens', I make no apology that every boy in Year 8 this term, has emerged with colours of one type or another. Back when rugby was played with the two top years combined, I often remember a boy who had played 3rd XV rugby in Year 7 and emerged to play 1st XV rugby for Year 8. No, he didn't grow an extra metre, but he always kept himself fit and was determined in the face of a struggle. Fortunately, this transition played out in front of me. This year group have not had that opportunity. At the very least, I hope their receiving of colours serves to inspire them in future.
Also having received awards are the eleven boys who completed The Pilgrims Way virtual challenge. This is the long-distance trail from Winchester to Canterbury, some 133 miles or 214km. Each has received an embroidered badge for submitting a record of any distance activity over time. This challenge remains open and I encourage the Pilgrims' community to use it as motivation over the Easter or summer breaks. I would love to award as many of these badges as possible. I know that some other pilgrims are nearing completion and look forward to awarding more next term.
Well done on facing up to the challenges of the term and we look forward to seeing pilgrims still overseas, very soon.
The Pilgrims Way Virtual Challenge
- Rory and Barnaby Dobson
- Rufus Bell
- Harry and Max Huxley
- Minwoo Choi
- Orlando and Orson Shivji
- Alfie Walker
- Hugo and Austin Short
The Games department is sorry to say goodbye to Alice Goodthwaite
In her time here, Alice has made a fine contribution to the Games department in her work with junior football and cricket groups, and in senior hockey.
Alice's time at Pilgrims' has coincided with a re-invigoration of women's sport and, quite rightly, its rising profile in the media. She has been the embodiment of that at Pilgrims'. Alice's excellent prowess in hockey and cricket has challenged their expectations and she has been an excellent role model.
Hockey is her passion, and she continues to represent Winchester Hockey Club. She became Head of Hockey at Pilgrims' for the 2018/19 season. Under her guidance, hockey has remained an attractive draw for pupils. During the summer of 2019, she was capped for England's mixed hockey team.
She is also an accomplished cricketer, and her expertise will be missed. She had a share in the unbeaten success of the U9A team in the summer of 2018.
Alice, we will miss your skill as an educator and your good humour as a colleague. Everyone here in the sports department wishes you every success at Embley and beyond. We take great pleasure in awarding you your hockey colours. We hope this will be a small reminder of your time here. To us, you'll always be a Pilgrim.
Mr Short