2010 WHOLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

Apart from road crossings, the course is off-road or on pavements.  Members of staff are stationed at all road crossings and accompany pupils en route to ensure that no-one gets lost or left behind. Other precautions include the posting of notices warning motorists in the vicinity that the event is taking place. Staff at key points on the course maintain contact with school via mobile phones and pupils can be collected by car should the need arise. A trained first-aider remains at school. The event has been run successfully for very many years without incident.

There are six separate races Year 6 boys followed by Year 6 girls, Year 7 boys, Year 7 girls, Year 8 boys and finally Year 8 girls.

Although for some pupils it is a race, the emphasis is for everyone to take part at his or her own level. Some pupils run the whole course, others jog and walk.  The aim for all pupils is to cover the course as quickly as they can and older pupils can aim to improve their personal best time from the previous year, but all pupils are encouraged simply to do their best.

The Whole School Cross Country represents the culmination of work in P.E. lessons specifically designed to help improve general fitness, stamina, perseverance and self-esteem. Pupils will walk and jog together around the course with their P.E. teachers during a P.E. lesson before 25^th March so that they know where they are going and are given specific advice in preparation for the event.

Pupils derive a real sense of camaraderie and achievement from taking part and mutual support and encouragement is very much in evidence.

If you have any particular concerns or if you feel that we should know about a particular health condition that may affect your child’s participation in the Whole School Cross Country please contact Mr D Martin (boys) or Mrs P Procter (girls) in the first instance, preferably in writing.

As pupils will need to go outside the school grounds to prepare for the event as well as on the day itself I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this information and give permission for your child to take part by signing the sticker in your child’s planner.