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16 SPORT / CO-CURRICULAR
Bath Cup 2019
Mrs Susan Cheshsire, Head of Swimming
Bancroft’s was represented at this year’s National Public
School Swimming Relays. With 65 Girls teams and 76
Boys teams competing and with schools travelling from
Northern Ireland, Scotland and England to compete, there
were many of the countries’ young talents in the pool.
The boys’ team of Thomas Liu, Oscar Saharoy, Zac Tiller, George
Whalley and William Bolitho put in excellent performances in their
heats, improving on their times from last year.
The girls’ team, Dora Zhou, Berfin Laursen, Holly Timmis, Neha Pillai
and Kaitlin Lovell, all swam personal bests in their heat of the 4 x 50m
Freestyle Relay finishing in a time of 1.56.98 They broke the school
record, which had been set at the same event four years ago by
nearly three seconds. The girls progressed through to the final, which
at this level of competition is a fantastic achievement; they looked
great finishing 9th. Dora has represented the school since she was an
Alpha and making the final in her final year at Bancroft’s was very well
deserved. The girls also set a new school record in the Medley Relay
but missed out on the finals.
CCF Adventurous Training
Cadet Karam Khanna, L4
As one of the first L4th
to go on Adventurous
Training, it was initially
daunting. It turned out to
be one of the best school
trips I have ever been on.
I would, without a doubt,
recommend it to anyone
who loves the outdoors,
but also to those who
might not as it is a chance
to challenge yourself and
do new things.
We stayed next to Coniston Water, in the
Lake District and, miraculously, it didn’t rain
all week. For the first three days we were
split into groups for the activities we had
previously chosen. We could choose any
three from caving, canoeing and gorge-
walking, rock-climbing and abseiling and
mountain biking. The activity I enjoyed
the most was caving, as it was unlike
anything I had ever done before; although
it was quite challenging it was thoroughly
enjoyable. Canoeing and gorge-walking
were also fun, especially when the bravest
members of our group jumped into a
bitterly cold pool of water. In rock-climbing
and abseiling I had to face my fear of
heights, but I managed to abseil down the
cliff face.
During the last three days we camped,
something I had never done before, and
although it wasn’t the highlight of the trip
it was something new. We also navigated
around the breath-taking scenery. It was
amazing seeing Scafell Pike, the tallest
mountain in England, and the many small
lakes dotted around the peaks. Although it
was a tiring trip, it was rewarding.
Sustainability -
Active Travel
Competition
Anika Vijay, RS
On Wednesday 6 March, the Youth
Travel Ambassadors of Bancroft’s
school and Mr Foley went to
Churchfields School to participate in
the Dragon’s Den competition run by
Redbridge Council to bid for £250 to
run an active travel competition for
four weeks in the summer term.
We are running this competition to encourage
pupils to get their recommended one hour
of exercise in a day by walking or cycling for
a fewminutes and also to keep the pollution
levels around the school low by parking a little
further from the school or not coming by car
at all if you live nearby. We will be giving out
prizes to those who walk, cycle, or park and
stride the most to school. Some of the prizes
are a day off school to go Top Golf and Amazon
vouchers. We presented our pitch in front of
seven schools, including Woodford County High
School, and four members of the Redbridge
council, who gave us excellent advice as to how
we should run the competition and presented
us with a cheque of £250. We were successful
in acquiring the money, but more importantly,
we enjoyed the experience and look forward to
taking part in the competition next year as well.
We would also like to add a note to parents
asking you please not to park on the gravel
or pull up on the dual carriageway because it
causes congestion on the main road if one lane
is blocked. Thank you.