Jo Jackson and Danielle Brown

Olympians join St Mary's to celebrate sporting success

An Olympic swimmer and Paralympic archer were guests at the school's annual Sports Award Dinner

Posted by Lucinda Reid | July 30, 2017 | Sports & Leisure

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The sporting pursuits and achievements of students at St Mary’s School, Cambridge were celebrated at the school’s annual Sports Award Dinner, where three-time Olympic swimmer and Bronze medallist Joanne Jackson, and Paralympic archer Danielle Brown (MBE), presented the prizes.

Danielle Brown said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and I have to say it was probably one of the best sports awards I have attended. Although I don’t think they need it, my advice for the girls is to carry on what they are doing, by choosing sports they enjoy. To be good you have to work hard and it’s so much easier to work hard when you’re doing something you enjoy. But they already know that!”

Special recognition was given to record breakers. At the recent sports day students had beaten school sporting records held for more than 20 years in some cases, while in others records were beaten by significant distances. Year 11 student Charlotte D.’s shot put distance was 11.16m, beating the previous record, held for 24 years, by 2.11 metres, while Year 10 student Emma W.’s javelin throw beat the existing record by 10.53m.

We do all we can to ensure our students are able to take advantage of the great many benefits that sport and physical activity have to offer each of us - Charlotte Avery

Jackie Ewing, Head of PE, said: “Not only did Emma W. break the existing school javelin record, she also qualified for the English Schools National Athletics Competition and is currently ranked 4th in the country for U17 J600 javelin. Other students whom we wish to recognise for their exceptional achievements at county or regional level, or beyond, are: Year 9 student Holly T., who finished 8th in the England Youth Fencing Championship 2017 in the U15 Girls Foil; Year 11 student Amelia S. who trained and performed with one of the national performance centres in hockey; Matilda T., Year 9 student, who qualified and ran at the English Schools National Cross Country Championship; and Year 10 student Daisy M., who represented the East of England U18 squad for the National Championships in 1* eventing. What spectacular achievements for each of these girls – but they are just the start. So many of you have shown such dedication and determination in progressing, and excelling in such a wide range of sports – congratulations to every girl who has participated in any sporting pursuits this year”.

The school’s Ingrid Hoffman trophy, for the all-round sports woman in the sixth form, was awarded to lower sixth student Annie Q., who is also the school’s 2017/2018 Games Captain. Annie has had a successful athletics season. Having moved up to the U20 age category this year she finished 1st in the 400m at the Sweatshop Southern Athletics League: Division 2 East - Round 1 - Cambridge, which set her up for the English Schools County Championships in May, where she also finished in 1st place to become U20 400m County Champion. Annie has also been the 800m County Champion in her age group for four years running.

Charlotte Avery, Headmistress, said: “I sincerely believe that children’s initial experiences of sport have a defining impact on their life-long attitudes to physical activity, which is why at our school we do all we can to ensure our students are able to take advantage of the great many benefits that sport and physical activity have to offer each of us, and by doing so establish positive habits and attitudes toward this vital aspect of well-being. Congratulations to each of the girls on their achievements – both individually and in teams – and thanks go to our sports teachers who ensure that our ‘sport for all’ mantra is played out through giving each student ample opportunities to find a sport that she enjoys and wishes to pursue.”