Yes She Can: St Mary's girls achieve excellence in sport
On Thursday 2 May 2018, sports staff and students at St Mary’s School, Cambridge gathered to celebrate the girls’ numerous achievements in sport.
There was huge excitement in the room as parents and their children eagerly awaited the awards to be announced. Head of Sport, Mrs Ewing, and Head of Rowing Mr Cain were eager to share the exciting news of the plans to redevelop the School’s sports facilities at Long Road in partnership with Homerton College, and the School’s rapid progress in renovating the City of Cambridge Rowing Club’s original boathouse, which will enhance opportunities for St Mary’s girls to experience that most iconic of Cambridge sports: rowing.
Before the students collected their awarded they were treated to a Q & A from hammer thrower Sarah Holt. Sarah was an U23 European Championships bronze medallist, broke the British under 23 national record, and came fourth at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Sarah shared a story of persistence and resilience through injury and illness, suffering a torn calf shortly before her appearance at the Commonwealth Games. Her journey from not being able to walk to coming fourth in a matter of months meant that, despite not making it to the podium, that Games was one of her proudest moments, as she had truly given it her all.
Before the awards ceremony began the girls watched a video compilation of female athletes at the top of their game, leaving them inspired to persevere with their own sporting pursuits.
The awards were then underway, and there was no shortage of achievements to celebrate. You can see some of the students who received awards from Mrs Jackie Ewing below:
Record breakers and exceptional performance
School Record Breakers
Ella B. broke the year 7 100m school record that has stood for 28 years, a very impressive achievement. In the same race Tamzin D.-R. also broke the same record and pipped Ella to the post, meaning she now holds the new school record for Year 7 with a time of 13.3 seconds. Tamzin also broke another record last year in Javelin with an impressive throw of 23.46m.
The previous record for rounds ball throw in Year 7 was 27.42. This has been broken by Connie P. with an outstanding throw of 43.15m.
Exceptional Performance
- Emma A. competed in the County Cross Country Championships
- Eve H. and Matilda P. represented the county at gymnastics
- Poppy-Rae M. was selected for the Huntingdon Display gymnastics team
- Ella B. competed at both county and regional level for hockey.
- Emily H. was selected for the county netball academy
- Rosie C. and Maisy V. were both selected for the county satellite netball academy.
- Amelie S., Sophie H. and Elizabeth A. competed as county swimmers.
- Lily R. and Arianna F. competed as county and regional swimmers
- Poppy E. and Caitlin D. were selected for the Eastern Countries Rugby team
- Tabitha D. competed in county and East Anglian region triathlons
- Honor C. competed at county and regional diving competitions.
- Tamzin D.-R. competed at county athletics
- Lizzie D. and Iona B. were selected for regional athletics
- Connie P. was selected for the county cricket team
County, regional, and beyond
Students who performed at county, regional or above in their sport have also been recognised for their exceptional achievements:
Imogen H. competed in the National Sprint regattas and regional Hasler marathon in Kayaking. She also won the Flatwater Racing Association’s Winter Series for U14 females.
Georgia M. and Matilda R. competed in the National Arena League B final as part of the City of Cambridge swimming team. The team ended up with a fantastic overall fifth place finish. Both girls are now training hard and are hoping to make the British National Championships this July.
Kilda M. finished 6th in the British Shooting Schools Pistol Championships and competed as a county cross country runner.
School awards
The Ingrid Hoffman trophy for all-round sports woman in the Sixth Form was awarded to Amelia S.
The Burleigh Cup for the Year 11 sports woman was awarded to Maiya F.
The team of the year was awarded to the U14 ESNA team.
Warm congratulations to all students that took part in sporting pursuits over the past year, and to all this year's worthy winners.
A gallery of photos of the evening will shortly be available.