Competative Sports

Competitive Sport

Swimming

I feel very privileged to have been chosen as swim captain this year. Although our Swim Squad have not been able to participate in as many competitions as usual due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have still managed to maintain our team spirit throughout the year.

I remember my first swim competition in Year Three when we competed against Bute House. It was nervewrecking, racing for the first time with school. I remember the moment after I finished my first race, I could not wait to get back in the water to race again. It was so fun cheering everyone else on and swimming with different year groups who I got to know well.

Over the years I have done a lot swimming; it is definitely my favourite sport. The way it is taught at Glendower is not only enjoyable, but we have also become much better swimmers individually and as a team. Our continuous success is proof of the devotion of the teachers and squad members.

The team spirit is really what has kept me going. I personally train a lot and it is sometimes really challenging and physically exhausting. However, the support from the Swim Squad members and the sound of their cheering always seem to give you extra energy.

Seeing Year Three girls star swimming competitions for the first time really makes me reflect on how I was once in their shoes, anxious and scared but it is great seeing everyone swimming their hardest and winning all the races.

I cannot think of one swim competition where Glendower has not excelled. We have done exceptionally well in every competition but a few memorable moments for me are, when we travelled all the way up to Sheffield to compete in the ESSA, when we competed at the 2012 Olympic Pool for the IAPS and finally when we were just finding out we moved onto the next round or when we placed in the top three.

It is disappointing that we have missed out on our interhouse gala this year. But throughout the inter house galas I have been to; I have never seen so much solidarity between the swimmers and even with the other teams. Glendower not only congratulates their teammates but they also all make sure they take time to say well done to their competitors.

I am sure everyone will agree that swimming has been one of the most enjoyable things to do at Glendower. I have never seen a bored face amongst any swimmer at Glendower. Swimming with Glendower always feels good, whether training hard, clowning around in the water or just reflecting upon and helping each other out with our skills.

I wish I was able to swim more in my last year at Glendower, but I am so thankful for the amazing Glendower PE staff who have taught everyone else at Glendower and me in such a brilliant and unique way. I will miss being in the Glendower Swim Squad and I look forward to hearing about their future successes and seeing future swimmers representing the school in an incredible way.

Amelie

Swimming Captain

Another amazing year of swimming has passed with new records and brilliant results. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, Glendower Swim Squad have missed out on some of our end of year swimming competitions.

However in February, Glendower competed in the IAPS qualifiers held at Latymer. The IAPS is a huge national swimming competition with swimmers competing from across the country, over 180 swimmers per event. Last year we even had swimmers join us from Nigeria. Swimmers from year 5 and 6 competed in Medley and Front crawl relays and individual races. To qualify to the finals, you must be placed in the top 20.

Unfortunately, the finals were cancelled due to COVID-19. But, we can still celebrate our results and those that did qualify.

Congratulations to following swimmers who qualified for their individual races:

Year Five Chloe 25m Backstroke 5th Olivia 25m Butterfly 2nd

Year Six Mati 50m Backstroke 19th (joint) Alexia 50m Breaststroke 16th Amelie 50m Butterfly 6th

In the relay events, both Year 5 and Year 6 teams qualified for the finals.

Year Five Front Crawl Team 4th Medley Team 20th

Year Six Front Crawl Team 14th Medley Team 12th On Friday, 22nd November, Glendower’s swim squad Years Three to Six competed in the first round of the London League swimming competition. Although we swam at Bute House, against 5 other schools, this gala was a virtual gala, which means we also competed against another 16 schools swimming from a different gala. We swam very well and cheered each other on very enthusiastically.

The competition started with the 100m Individual Medley, and then Years Three to Five swimming 25m backstroke races. All the Year Six races were 50 m apart from the Butterfly event. In the relay, Glendower continued to swim their very best. The last race was a squadron race, where four swimmers from Years Four to Six swam in a freestyle relay. This was a tough competition and we gave our best. When the results came in, we found out that we placed 2nd out of 22 schools and moved onto round two. Well done Glendower!

The 2nd round took place on Friday 31st January. We knew this round was going to be very competitive. Competing against 5 other schools, we needed to place in one of the top 3 positions to qualify for the finals. We were excited and nervous at the same time. We started the gala strongly, but the judges were very strict, and we suffered a few disqualifications. We could see our chances slipping away. But we held strong, optimistic and gave it our best. After the final race, we waited anxiously for the results and heard Glendower placed 3rd overall. It was a tough round, but we persevered and made it through. Well Done to all the swimmers for an incredible London League.

Unfortunately, due to COVID 19, the final was cancelled. We were pleased to know we had made the finals and hope to continue the success of our swimming in the new academic year.

On Wednesday, 11th March, 6 swimmers from Year Four and 6 from Year Five, competed in a swim gala against 5 other schools.

Year Five Olivia, Chloe, Talia L, Kiara, Chiara, Emily

Year Four Summer, Hannah, Emilia, Liana, Alice B, Olivia

The races started promptly, and we cheered each other on throughout the event. It was competitive and challenging, but we gave it our very best and had much success. Chloe broke the backstroke record and Olivia the butterfly record. Liana in Year Four also did very well by winning her breaststroke race, even though she was trying out. After all the races and much excitement, we gathered in the dining area with some lunch and snacks while we waited for the results.

Year Four came first in their category, coming home with a gold medal. Year Five also came first in their category, coming happily home with a gold medal . Well done to everyone who participated. What a great team effort!

Friendly Galas

On Friday 27th September, Glendower attended our first swim competition of the year against Bute House. Everyone swam an individual race and put in an amazing performance and were very supportive of the other swimmers. 32 out of 36 swimmers all achieved personal best times for their individual races. In the relays we also did extremely well, winning most of the races with brilliant times. In the end, Year Four scored 67 points, Year Five scored 68 points and Year Six scored 72 points, meaning together we scored 207 points. Although we scored a few points less than Bute House-we had a strong performance as a team.

We had so much fun that we even competed again with Bute House and Kew College again on Friday 24th January. Our competitors were very strong and competitive. We all swam our best, finishing all our races strongly and beating our personal bests from the previous competitions. We made sure we were always supportive of our teammates and always cheering each other on. Although we placed 2nd, just behind Bute House, we did very well in everything, especially our relays.

Well done to the team for fantastic results in both competitions.

Competitive Sport

Netball

IAPS Netball

On Thursday 27th February 2020, the Year Six Netball Squad had an amazing day playing in the IAPS regional netball tournament held at Queen Anne’s school in Reading.

We set off from Glendower at 7.30am, with blankets, hats and lots of warm drinks as we anticipated it would be a blustery and potentially rainy day. We have been working hard all year for this one event and I was so pleased to be leading the squad.

They split us into 6 pools, Glendower were in pool 1. We had some extremely tough opponents in our pool, but we did not let that worry us. The whistle blew for the start of our first game and we all played fantastically, winning 8-0. We knew we still had a long day ahead of us but this was a very good start.

We continued to play well, but with the wind it was making it hard for our shooters to score. Nonetheless we preserved. Our passing hit some great rhythm, we moved quickly on the court and we performed great footwork. Our last game as a squad ended with a 2-1 win to us. It was a tremendous way to end the day!

Thank you to Miss Humble and Mrs Payne for taking us to this event.

Maddy

Netball Captain Year Six - Newland Place Tournament

On the 25th of January, the Year Six Netball Squad played in a tournament, in Twickenham, at Newland House.

We had an early start from Glendower, but the girls were really excited to play a full day of netball. We played a total of 9 matches, against different schools. The competition was very strong, we had to use all the tactics we had learnt and work as a team to be successful.

Our last match of the day was playing for 3rd place, the opportunity to walk away with medals, the squad were so excited at the prospect of this - it was a must win game. It was a nail-biting match, we all played exceptionally well and skipped off the court triumphantly. We were thrilled to receive our medals as it was a great team effort.

The medals to us were a bonus, but what ment the most was working as a team and showing great sportsmanship.

The Year Five Netball Team played against Norland Place. Despite the rainy conditions, everyone came out and tried their hardest. It was a tough match with a score of 1-1 at half time, and we were determined to do our best in the second half. We had some great interceptions and passed well. Both teams alternated shooting goals, and we finished the match with a draw of 3-3. We were then treated to some scrumptious cookies by our supportive and wonderful coaches Mrs Payne and Miss Humble. We are working on balancing the court better to help us win in future matches!

Year Four - Falkner House Match

Year Four attended a netball match against Falkner House, on Wednesday 4th March 2020. Although it was raining, we really enjoyed playing in the rain. All the teams showed great sportsmanship and encouragement. Glendower played some amazing netball, but we still have to work on balancing the court. We were triumphant in all 3 matches and cheered each other on.

A special thank you to Miss Humble and Mrs Payne for supporting us. Year Three - Garden House Match

On 24th February, Glendower participated in a Year Three netball fixture against Garden House. The Glendower team played splendidly, and everyone had tons of fun. We showed great sportsmanship and both games ended in a tie. Considering this was the first match against another school for Year Three, the day was a huge success. We are thankful to garden house for being fair and friendly competitors and to our teachers for their support, guidance and encouragement. We can’t wait until our next netball match!