After enjoying the excitement of the “Ultimate Championships” on TV over last weekend, it was the turn of Bethany pupils to take to the track and field for our annual Sports Afternoon on Monday 14th September.

With Kiplings, Roberts and Speakers Houses ready to compete, the afternoon got off to a lively start. The 50-metre dash was a particular favourite, with some very close finishes and plenty of cheering from the sidelines.

The 100 metres brought more exciting races, with pupils giving their all as their House supporters cheered them on. Over on the field, the long jump, shot put and javelin were big hits too, drawing plenty of impressive performances.

It was great to see so many pupils challenging themselves throughout the afternoon, particularly in the longer-distance races. Whether they were competing for the first time or aiming to improve on a previous performance, there was plenty of determination on show. The support from teammates and friends also helped create a fantastic House atmosphere.

The scores remained very close throughout the afternoon, so it all came down to the relay races. With only a few points separating the Houses, the 4x100m relays were always going to be an exciting finish.

After some excellent relay performances across all age groups, Speakers were crowned champions, with Roberts finishing as runners-up and Kiplings taking third place.

A special thank you goes to the Bethany Sport Department for organising such a fantastic afternoon, and to Mr Bolton, our Master of Ceremonies, for keeping everything moving along throughout the day. Thank you also to Mr Manktelow, our official score master, for keeping track of the all-important House points.

We are also very grateful to all the staff who helped make the afternoon run smoothly, from the timekeepers and field marshals to those officiating the shot put and measuring the long jump.

Of course, the biggest thank you goes to the pupils who took part and gave their best throughout the afternoon. We would also like to thank all the parents who came along to watch, support and cheer on the pupils. Their encouragement from the sidelines helped make it a memorable afternoon for everyone involved.

Well done to all three Houses and to every pupil who competed. There was some great athletics on show, but perhaps most importantly, plenty of enthusiasm, encouragement and House spirit.