22nd September 2022
120 children from across ÎÞÂëרÇø's 5 primary schools came together to compete in the WAT Primary Games at Aldersley Stadium in Wolverhampton. Children took part in hockey and tag rugby throughout the morning, before an afternoon of athletics. The sports chosen were inspired by the Commonwealth Games, given the way the Birmingham Games had captured our imaginations earlier in the summer
Similar to the Commonwealth Games which is known as ‘The Friendly Games’, the aim of the ÎÞÂëרÇø Primary Games is to encourage sportsmanship, friendship and to celebrate excellence amongst children from our Walsall and Halesowen Primary Schools.
Year 9 sports leaders from ÎÞÂëרÇø School, Cheslyn Hay Academy, supported the primary school pupils throughout the day in refereeing, score keeping, judging, and presenting medals. The Cheslyn Hay Academy pupils demonstrated great communication and organisation skills, in addition to professionalism and compassion to aid the smooth running of the event, they were a real credit to their school and our Trust.
The morning team sports session was played in beautiful sunshine on state-of-the-art astroturf pitches, fantastic teamwork and determination were on display. In the Year 5/6 mixed tag rugby event Manor Way Primary Academy took the victory with a fantastic 21 tries scored in their 4 matches. In the Year 3/4 girls hockey event Goldsmith Primary Academy triumphed with 4 wins out of 4 including a nail biting 2-1 win against the runners up Rivers Primary Academy in the deciding match. Rivers Primary Academy were however champions in the Year 3/4 boys hockey event with the achievement of not conceding a goals in their 4 matches.
In the afternoon all year groups came together to cheer each other on in the athletics stadium, where the atmosphere reached fever pitch! All children took part in at least one individual event: 60 metres, 150 metres, 400 metres, standing long jump or howler throw. The day was brought to a close with the relay races, they were an incredible spectacle and a fitting finale to the Games. Stand out performances in the athletics were a clean sweep of the 400 metre races for Colley Lane Primary Academy with victories for brother and sister Piper and Bailey in the Y3/4 boys and girls races, and wins for Skyla and Ewan in the Year 5/6 boys and girls races. Tenterfield Primary Academy also enjoyed their relay win in the Year 3/4 mixed relay.
Throughout the three events, points were calculated for an overall WAT Primary Games winner to be announced.
Congratulations to Colley Lane Primary Academy who finished the day on 169 points fighting off the challenge from the Walsall Schools Rivers Primary Academy and Goldsmith Primary Academy who finished in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The extremely proud headteacher of Colley Lane Academy, Mr Dominic Simpson beamed:
It was fantastic for the children of Colley Lane Primary Academy to take part in an amazing day at a professional sporting facility and to win overall was the icing on the cake! We are always proud of the achievements of all our children but this was a superb way to start the year! Well done Superstars!