FROM THE SKI SLOPES TO BBC BREAKFAST: ANOTHER BUSY TERM FOR CHS' PE DEPARTMENT

From the ski slopes to BBC Breakfast: another busy term for the PE department

 

“What hasn’t happened this term” the PE department said when reflecting back on another busy and successful term for Congleton High School. Skiing, netball, indoor rowing, indoor athletics, rugby, football, table tennis and even ‘footgolf’ feature in this term’s round-up!

Last month forty students, of varying degrees of ability and experience, enjoyed another highly successful ski-training course at France’s second oldest ski resort, Les Deux Alpes. The students endured challenging conditions, with the French weather being as unpredictable as the English, seeing rain and temperatures as high as 14 centigrade. This did not, however, dampen the students’ spirits, in fact it added to the experience, with every student advancing their skills while having great fun! Planning is already underway for next year’s trip (see Mr Naylor for a letter).

From the ski slopes of Les Deux Alpes to the netball courts of South Cheshire, students have flown the CHS flag proudly. And CHS’ netballers have every reason to look back on this term with pride as the sport continues to go from strength to strength at CHS. Moving leagues was always going to provide a greater challenge for the students and this was clear from the first round of fixtures. However, all of CHS’ teams look set to be promoted to the ‘A’ league next season heading into the final round of games. CHS have continued their domination in the knockout tournaments too, with year 9, year 8a and year 7a and b teams all being crowned South Cheshire champions this term.

The PE department are always looking for ways to widen the sport provision at the school and a few years ago they added indoor rowing to the school’s endless list of sports. The sport has not only seen high levels of participation, but also plenty of success and this term was no different. All of the teams won the level 2 competition at Sandbach and progressed to the Cheshire and Warrington competition at Ellesmere Port Sports Village. The students all did extremely well finishing runner-up in each of the four categories, while there were stand-out performances by year 10 student Megan Sheard and year 11 Ramtin Musah who both won their respective categories.

In indoor athletics, the year 7 girls team represented the Sandbach Partnership at the School Games at the Northgate Arena in Chester after winning the level 2 event, while the year 8 girls finished runners-up in the level 2 event.

Rugby has been under the media spotlight in recent weeks and not just because England completed their first Grand Slam since 2003. There have been calls for a change in the way that rugby is played at school, with doctors and academics calling for tackling to be banned. CHS’ staff and students expressed their views on the topic across various BBC platforms, including on BBC Breakfast and Newsround, and opposed changing the sport in schools. On the pitch, the year 7 and 8 boys’ rugby teams finished as runners-up in the North Staffordshire Schools Tournament, while year 7 won three of their five games in the emerging school rugby tournament.

In football, Congleton College have continued what can only be described as a mixed debut season, with a 2-2 draw against Stockport College and a 7-3 defeat to Knutsford Academy in their latest games. And with two games left against Wellacre and Elite Academy they will be hoping to finish the season strongly. Elsewhere, year 8 have a cup final to look forward to next month as they hope to add to CHS’ trophy cabinet with the South Cheshire Cup.

This term has also seen CHS’ fourth annual table tennis championships get underway. Over 100 students and staff have been going head-to-head in the opening rounds of the tournament, with a high standard of skill and talent on display. James Garside is targeting a third successive title, while Mr de Souza will be hoping to repeat his 2013 success and seek revenge after losing to James in the last two finals.

The community is also a vital part of CHS and this term has seen the school host a series of sports tournaments with the schools partner primary schools taking part. Quinta Primary School triumphed in the hockey tournament, while Black Firs won both the year 3/4 Brilliant Advice Football Tournament and the first ever year 1/2 sports hall athletics competition.

Finally, year 12 BTEC Sport students tried out the new ‘FootGolf’ course at Burnage Rugby Club. There were a range of techniques on show, but not all orthodox!

Written by Adam Bailey

MAKING THE HEADLINES: CHS TACKLE THE ISSUE OF RUGBY TACKLING ON NATIONAL TV

Students and staff tackle the issue of rugby tackling on national television

Tackling has been a fundamental component of rugby since the sport was first played in schools in the 19^th Century. However, a petition signed by over 70 doctors and academics has called for tackling to be banned from rugby matches played in schools. This made national headlines yesterday and Congleton High School’s staff and students were asked to express their views on the topic on national television.

The PE staff have worked tirelessly to promote rugby as one of CHS’ priority sports over recent years, with an emphasis on the core values of rugby (teamwork, respect, discipline, enjoyment and sportsmanship). The importance of coaching and leadership skills is taught and as students learn more about the game, then the safer the sport is likely to be. The school have also widened the provision of rugby, including different variations of the sport that help students to develop the skills needed to play the sport safely.

Earlier this year, I watched a year 7 and 8 rugby match against Wellington and not only was I impressed by the number of students participating in extra-curricular rugby, but also their enthusiasm for the sport. Every student commented on how much they enjoyed taking part in the match, especially the contact and physical element of the sport, which students do not experience while in Primary School.

Mr Cross, who has become a “celebrity” making his second appearance on the BBC Breakfast red sofa, had an early start as he was interviewed on the topic on national breakfast news. He told BBC Breakfast that contact in rugby helps to “build character” and that the “risk factor” is part of the sport. In his experience of both being a PE teacher and a qualified RFU rugby coach, he said that players “enjoy” the contact element of the game and added that he believes that some students “need” the physicality. Mr Cross also took the opportunity to give Breakfast presenters Dan Walker and Louise Minchin a RFU wristband that highlighted the core values of rugby union.

 

An argument for banning tackling in rugby is the risk of injury; however Mr Cross ruled that tackling can be safe and at CHS they put an emphasis on “minimising the risks” and making the risk of injury “as little as possible”. CHS ensure that all staff are trained, all students are aware and that when it is appropriate for them to go into a contact situation they have done all the progress towards minimising the risk of injury.

Following Mr Cross’ successful interview, BBC News at One featured a report consisting of footage of CHS’ year 7 rugby team in action and interviews with students about their views on tackling within the sport. Every student who was asked highlighted their support for tackling to remain in school rugby. You can watch what they had to say here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/35705225.

The year 7 rugby team were also filmed by CBBC Newsround taking part in a tackling tutorial and training drill in the sports hall, before interviewing Mr Cross and students for their thoughts. The full report can be watched here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/35704580.

What are your views on the topic? Should tackling be banned in school rugby? Share your comments below.

Written by Adam Bailey