Youngsters were on their marks and set to go when Newington Community Primary in Ramsgate staged its first sports week since the start of the pandemic that was open to families and friends.
It meant that a busy programme of events had that extra tinge of expectation and excitement for all of the young competitors.
The schedule highlighted track and field events for children from all age groups. This included Year 3 and Year 4 competing in a range of races from 40m to 80m alongside slalom races and a 4x 25m relay race.
Younger pupils in Year 1 and year 2 lined up in races from 40m to 60m alongside slalom races and 4 x 25m relay race. Nursery and Reception took part in 40m and 30m running race, 40m slalom race and a 40m obstacle race. There was also a toddler race for pupils’ smaller siblings who came to watch their sports day.
Year 5 and Year 6 competitions involved girls and boys giving their all in 50m to 100m races, alongside a 50m skipping race, 4 x 25m relay and a new race for 2022, the challenging 4 x 100m relay.
Sports week also featured the school’s annual football tournament with plenty of goalmouth action, skills and fun in matches involving Year1 to Year 6, highlighting teamwork backed by enthusiastic support from the touchline by classmates.
Head of PE Keilley Bowyer said: “It was an important week with our children able to compete in events with the support of their families for the first time in a few years. It made the day so special and everyone who took part really tried their hardest and should be congratulated.
“All races were differentiated to ensure that everyone had a fair race and enjoyed their competitive sports day experience.”
Meanwhile, the girls Year 6 football team flew the Newington flag when they took part in an inter-primary tournament at Margate Football Club hosted by the Thanet Passport sports initiative.
After a successful win in 2019, the team was hoping to bring back the trophy but got narrowly knocked out in the quarter finals. Sports teacher Ryan Moore said: “It was action packed from start to finish. We challenged the eventual winners of the festival in our first game, only conceding to a last-minute goal. Isabelle set the standard for defending across the board and covering ground to support her teammates with some strong tackles.
“We won through to the quarter finals against Holy Trinity, after successfully passing the group stages with a loss, draw and two wins. Each and every player on the pitch came alive in the last game against a very strong side. After Holy Trinity took an early lead we came back with a great solo goal from Grace, which highlighted her amazing dribbling throughout the festival.
“Our ‘shout out of the festival’ goes to Eboni in her first ever competitive game against other teams. Understandably she was nervous and unsure but as soon as she got into the rhythm in her first game, she showed fantastic dribbling and shooting skills getting on the score sheet several times.
“We are extremely proud of our girls’ football squad who showed excellent teamwork and morale throughout to make it an exciting day for us all.”
Head Teacher Hannah Tudor praised everyone who took part in sports week and thanked the organisers. She said: “It was a great programme of sporting action and friendly competition. Sport, games and fitness form a central part of life for our children who compete well in school and in local, county and regional competition.
“The ongoing development of our successful sports provision ranges from traditional games to outdoor adventure activities, from speed stacking to dodge ball, from dance to fitness and lots in between.”