REVIEW OF 2013

2013: Another Successful and Memorable Year

On Friday Congleton High School’s bell rang for the last time in 2013 and that drew to a close an incredibly successful and memorable year for CHS’ PE department.

Stand-Out Moments of 2013

Over the past 12 months I have covered and seen many great things but my most memorable moment has to be going to Anfield (which is very hard to say with me being a big Everton fan) and witnessing the under 15 girls being crowned Premier League champions in May. I never expected the girls’ to win and nor did the girls but they played very well and thoroughly deserved the title of ‘Premier League Champions’. Since they were crowned champions the girls have experienced lots of different things including being featured on Match of the Day Kickabout, sitting in the VIP seats at Wembley to see England play and they even got to parade their trophy to the Stoke fans at the Britannia. So I think it is fair to say 2013 is not going to be a year that these girls or the school are going forget quickly!

The one thing in 2013 which I know many at CHS would say is their favourite moment of the year was the recent Tour of Malta which saw CHS’ football and netball teams change from a UK storm to 30 degree heat. However, the lovely weather isn’t the only reason why many would choose the tour as their most memorable moment as the students endured a whole new life experience and on their return there was a certain ‘buzz’ around the school which to me demonstrates just how much all the students enjoyed it. Mrs Salt, Head of PE, perfectly summarised why Malta was so memorable “The Tour of Malta was a real hit with students with some fantastic results and sporting moments along with some really funny stories both on and off the pitch.  This has been demonstrated since they have returned to school as there has been quite a buzz around the school.”

Other Highlights

2013 saw CHS lift three league titles plus a cup along with the Premier League title. What stood out to me was how CHS battled on despite whatever the British weather threw at them, which some schools’ didn’t do. The under 15 girls and the year 10 boys are still going strong in the national cup and are into the latter rounds of the competition something both teams want to continue in 2014.

More success in 2013 came in Netball when CHS were triple South Cheshire Champions with years 7, 8 and 10 victorious. Years 7 and 8 went on to do the double also winning their respective leagues.

In Athletics CHS became South Cheshire Athletic Champions for the 6^th time in 10 years after winning the junior, minor and inter competitions at the South Cheshire Athletic Championships. Let’s make it 7 in 11 years next year!

England’s cricketers may have bloomed in the summer Ashes series but wilted down under.  CHS’ All Star XI won their own version of the Ashes when they beat Haileybury College, who were on tour here from Australia. It’s always nice to get one over the Aussies!

In Rounders, Year 11 were South Cheshire runners up but year 8 went one better when they won the South Cheshire Rounder’s Championships.

2013 saw the interest in table tennis increase so much so the first whole school table tennis tournament was set up. Over 50 students signed up and played in the first round. But the final two standing were Mr de Souza and James Garside. Mr de Souza was crowned CHS’ table tennis champion after winning 11-8 and 12-10. The tournament returns after Christmas with even more competitors signed up this year and the competition will be fiercer with Mr de Souza hoping to retain his title. Will he do it?

2013 will be a year that many Brit’s remember as the year that Andy Murray was the first British male winner of Wimbledon in 77 years but 2013 will also be remembered as the year when year 7 and 8 girls won the South Cheshire Tennis Championships.

Like every year, 2013’s Sports Day was a huge success with 15 records being broken.

CHS’ 6th annual Sports Awards Evening saw Nathan Stirk win the The Lynda Arnold Award, for outstanding contribution to school sport throughout his time at CHS. The Daniel Sturridge Rising Star Award went to Manchester United and England Under 15 midfielder Hollie Massey who has been a permanent member in the national squad this year. The under 15 girls won the Team of the Year following there Premier League triumph. In attendance was Manchester United footballer, Nick Powell, who presented some of the awards and did a question and answer session which included advising students on how to juggle school work and sporting activities. It also gave students and guests an insight into his journey as a footballer. 

2014 is going to have to be very good if it is going to be as successful and memorable as 2013 but I have every faith in the PE department and the students that it will. For updates in 2014 keep checking the sports blog for match reports, interviews and articles and follow @PhysEdCHS for news and results straight from the PE department.

All that is left for to me to say is I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  

Written by Adam Bailey