Lockdown Sport

from The Johnian 2020

Swimming

LOCKDOWN

Gareth James, Director Of Sport

Sport

I must start this section by saying a huge thank you to everyone that made sport possible throughout an extremely challenging time. Keeping pupils active, healthy and happy throughout the lockdown was a major focus. From weekly live workouts and a training programme for all abilities, to skills challenges set via social media and a series of vodcasts, featuring interviews with school staff and international sportsmen/women, we worked hard to keep pupils engaged.

When restrictions began to be relaxed, most pupils were still unable to return to school for lessons but sports clubs were possible and so we created sports sessions for small groups on Saturdays from midJune. To be able to provide sporting opportunities to every pupil in Lower Third, Upper Third, Fourth Form, Lower Fifth and Lower Sixth, given the circumstances, was nothing short of outstanding and would not have been possible without the ground staff, cleaners, support staff, coaches and Senior Leadership Team. Across the entire lockdown period, the sporting sessions we were able to deliver were as followed:

Sport Sessions for Key Workers’ Children – these were socially distanced sessions delivered in the height in lockdown with HITT Fitness.

Lower Fifth and Lower Sixth Sports Sessions – pupils who were able to return to school for some lessons in the second half of Summer Term were able to choose between small group sessions, in accordance with their respective NGB guidelines, including cricket, rugby, football, tennis and hockey at the end of their academic lessons.

Sports for Lower Third, Upper Third and Fourth Form – we provided specialist Saturday sessions for tutor/house groups on a rotation for every pupil in these year groups. Pupils were able to select specialist coaching sessions in cricket, rugby, hockey, tennis, fitness or football.

LOOKING AHEAD

As we look ahead to 2020-21, with some uncertainty surrounding how school sports will be able to operate in the short and medium term, we are creating as many positive sporting experiences for our pupils as possible. We also look forward to our planned tours for Netball to Dubai and Cricket to St Lucia and fervently hope they will go ahead to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

BUILDING THE FUT U RE

St John’s has a proud history of investment in the development of facilities for the benefit of our pupils and the community around us. The creation of a new indoor sports complex, including swimming pool, has been the latest project in this ongoing development and September 2019 saw the opening of the stunning new St John’s Sports Centre.

Participation in sport as a cornerstone of education at St John’s. Sport helps people to learn about teamwork, camaraderie, self-discipline and leadership while promoting self-esteem and mental and physical wellbeing. As well as providing facilities that inspire the talents of our own pupils, St John’s is committed to sharing resources with the wider community and these new facilities enable us to expand our outreach programmes.

The building project got underway in spring 2018, with the main construction phase completed during the summer of 2019. Anticipation had been mounting as the site rapidly developed and the building rose from the ground. When Autumn Term 2019 began, the Sports Centre was opened and the full potential of what it would bring to St John’s life was realised.

The centre incorporates a swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite and studio. Designed to respect and enhance the School site, the Sports Centre is an elegant building that is both contemporary in its appearance, whilst also being respectful of its context. Without significant expansion from the combined footprint of the previous pool building and existing sports hall, which is integrated into the complex, the intelligent planning of the development has increased the space from 688sqm to 1731sqm.

The top-lit, double height pool hall is the impressive showpiece. The pool is 25m in length and 13m wide, enabling it to be split into six 2m wide lanes. Improved space for spectators and excellent changing facilities make the pool both practical and a wonderful venue for swimming events. Located on the first floor, the fitness suite and studio are separated from the pool hall by a full height glazed screen offering views down to the pool below. There is a wide range of free weights and cardio equipment available for use within this space.

IT IS AN EXCEPTIONAL ADDITION TO ST JOHN’S AND DEMONSTRATES THE WAY IN WHICH THOUGHTFUL, CREATIVE PLANNING ENABLES THE SITE TO BE DEVELOPED AND ENHANCED FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF PUPILS.