Sports Day 2024
On Friday 14 June the energy was palpable at the biggest whole school annual sporting event, Sports Day 2024. With a ten-day countdown on social media coupled with the event falling at the end of exam week – excitement levels were high.
More than 700 pupils and 100 staff gathered at Hartswood ready to compete, cheer, officiate and celebrate successes together in an atmosphere charged with anticipation. Face paints, house bunting, and house-coloured ice cream sprinkles added to the positively spirited inter-house competition. Even the skies opening up just as proceedings were about to commence, it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the pupils. The event began with a countdown, the vibrant burst of house-coloured smoke bombs, and a high-energy Zumba warm-up led by Miss Carrero.
Embodying the true British spirit of “keep calm and carry on,” all events proceeded as planned despite a few light showers. The morning session saw the first and second form pupils participating in athletics events, while the third and fourth form pupils engaged in various team games across the expansive Hartswood sports grounds.
Team spirit, camaraderie, and sportsmanship were evident everywhere. Pupils congratulating each other at the finish lines and praising teammates and opponents alike for their excellent performances be it hits, catches, serves, rounders, or goals. A notable highlight of the morning was second-form pupil Wilfred H., who broke a long-standing record (from 1987) by shaving 1.5 seconds off the second form boys’ 800m time.
The tennis courts, cricket, rounders and ultimate frisbee pitches witnessed many wonderful displays of honed technique, tactical decision making and positive encouragement to both teammates and opponents alike.
After a relaxed picnic lunch, where students recharged and enjoyed the atmosphere, the year groups swapped over. The first and second form pupils moved to team sports to represent their houses, while the older students took to the athletics track. The intensity heightened with several records being challenged and broken. Third-former Lordia O. threw an impressive 9.06m in the shot put, surpassing a 15-year-old record by 35cm.
One of the afternoon’s most thrilling moments was the sports day high jump record attempt by fourth form pupil Bruno R. In front of over 200 pupils, all hushed in anticipation, Bruno set a new high jump record for the third consecutive year, achieving a remarkable height of 1.76cm. Bruno now holds the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th form sports day high jump records!
