Category: Extra-curricular Achievements

Extra-curricular Achievements

Highsted’s Under 13 football team got their season off to a great start with a 5-nil win against Trinity School, Sevenoaks, on 24 September. 

The win was a brilliant opening game, showing just how determined the young pupils are to continue the school’s impressive record in girls’ football. This has already seen the Highsted U18 football team twice become winners of the Kent Cup Competition, and several Highsted girls take part in Gillingham Football Club’s Girls’ Centre of Excellence.  Courtney Shanley, who completed her A-levels at our school, is a particular source of inspiration for the U13 girls: she is now the Gillingham Ladies’ First Team goalkeeper.

Of their recent victory, Highsted Team Captain Libby F (12) said: “We were worried that the Trinity match was going to be tough, as the team hadn’t all played together before. In the end we gelled incredibly well, scoring two goals before half-time, and three more in the second half. Congratulations have to go to striker Ella G, from Year 7, who scored two great goals in her first match for Highsted.”

Football is just one of the many extra-curricular activities offered to girls right from the start of their time at Highsted. Regular weekly practices ensure that a core group of players is nurtured in preparation for Cup matches: they know each other’s strengths and can be assured of mutual support.  “It was an outstanding performance by the whole team,” continued Libby, “with our midfield and strikers putting their hearts into every shot they made. Our defence was impeccable too, and they held their ground right to the very end, with our goalkeeper only having to make one save!”

Making up part of that defence are twin sisters Alex and Olivia P (12). Olivia stressed that it was all about teamwork: “All the Year 8s have been together as a team for some time, so we’re playing really well now.  Although as a back you sometimes wish that you could go up front or on the wing, you know that you’ll be most effective on the spot that you’re better at. I play in defence because I’m stronger there and it benefits the team more.”

Alex added: “It was a real boost when we started to score; we certainly got more vocal and really worked together after the first goal. Luckily we’re all in the same friendship group, so it helps that when we shout at each other we don’t take it personally – we know that we’re just really competitive as a team!

“And in the end it was good to be able to go home to Mum and say ‘We won!’  In fact, as this was our first match together, Miss Kelly, our Headteacher, and the PE staff were very happy too!”

PE teacher Laura Donnelly said: “This is a really promising start in the Cup. Our new Year 7 students adapted brilliantly to their first game and I am excited for the next round.

“Our footballers are already showing that Highsted is a place where girls can explore their potential to the full – right from day one; and, if they want to, in fields which go well beyond any stereotypes. Highsted has annual Open Evenings in October for Year 6 girls looking at choosing the best secondary school for them. I hope that they’ll come here to see for themselves just what we can offer to those who really want to take up the challenge to reach their goals.”

Scorers: Ella G, Y7 (2);  Georgia W, Y8 (1); Libby F, Y8 (2). Well done to all who took part!

Photo shows L to R: Alex; Libby F; Olivia P.

Year 11 Highsted student Imogen J has had a busy outdoor bowling season this summer, ultimately representing England in the successful Under-18 test series against Wales earlier this month.  She had been contacted by Bowls England during August and asked to join the England team – of six girls and six boys – which then competed in a variety of disciplines during the two-day event in Wiltshire, finally defeating Wales 16-8. Imogen said: “I enjoy all my levels of bowling from Club to County level but particularly enjoyed representing my country for the first time. Although I was nervous, I really enjoyed the experience, even more so as I played in all three sessions helping England to a 16-8 victory over Wales.”

Prior to the England match, Imogen had already competed in Bowls England National Championships in Leamington Spa in early August, for the Under-18s Sutton Winson trophy – a competition that starts with 128 boys and girls from across England. Here, Imogen found herself two sets down in her first game before she pulled back to win the next two sets and seal her win into the next round on a one bowl shootout. She continued to play exceptionally well despite some tough opposition, eventually emerging as the only girl to reach the singles semi-final. Although she was then defeated on a one bowl tie-break shootout, Imogen returned to the championships later in August to represent Kent in the Under-31s Amy Rose Team.

Imogen comes from a family of bowlers and has been playing for the last six years, since she started at Swale Indoor Bowls Club at the age of nine. She recalled: “I started with the juniors on a Friday evening and from then on I really enjoyed it so then started to play other evenings and weekends with the seniors. Bowls is an unusual sport in that people of all ages can play with and against each other. I particularly enjoy the social side, meeting new people my age and older.”

Following her success with the England team on 5 and 6 September, Imogen was selected for an Under-18 England Academy trial involving 20 boys and 12 girls from across the country, which took place at Royal Leamington Spa last Saturday, 19th September. Of the events of the day, she said: “For my first game I had to skip (captain) a triples game, which is not my usual position to play, and unfortunately lost this game – however, in the afternoon I managed to come back with a win, playing two in a mixed fours game which is more of my usual position. I enjoyed this weekend as it was very good experience.  Hopefully it has helped me gain a greater chance of playing any future games for England.”

As the outdoor season is ending, Imogen is looking forward to returning to indoor bowling and representing England in the Under-18 British Isles Championship against Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands.  The competition is due to take place in Belfast in October.

Sixth former Nicola S enjoyed the experience of her first international golf match this summer, when she played for England in a successful competition against Wales at the Sherwood Forest Golf Club in Nottingham.  She was selected for the England team after finishing 8th in the National Final in Peterborough, which was a 36-hole competition.  Of the schools’ international match she said: “I was extremely happy to have come back from two down with four holes to play to achieve a respectable half against my Welsh opponent. My half also guaranteed that England retained the trophy and the team eventually won 9½ points to 8½.”

Nicola has been playing golf regularly since the age of ten, when she played with a handicap of 43. She reduced this handicap to ten when she was thirteen and was then offered a place in the South East England U-16 training squad. She said: “I have just finished my third year and my handicap is now four, so I believe this has helped to improve my performance. Each year consisted of 20 days of coaching as well as matches against other England regions.  Most of my weekends are taken up by playing in golf competitions all across England and I really enjoy playing in different national events.”

In April, Nicola represented Highsted in the Kent Schools’ Division I championship. After finishing 3rd she qualified for the South of England championship and then went on to qualify for the national final in Peterborough. Nicola is currently studying for A-levels in biology, chemistry, geography and history, and plans to go on after completing these next year to a four-year golf scholarship in America, which includes gaining a degree in her chosen subject: she is currently deciding between marine biology, history and geography.

Nicola (front row, second from left) with the England team.

Extra-curricular Achievements

Highsted Under-13 football team scored a resounding 4-0 victory against the Abbey School on 30 September. Match report by Abi H.

Captain: Abi H; Vice Captain: Ellie W; Player of the Match: Isabelle B

Our team played extremely well for our first match. We attacked and defended effectively in many ways, which helped us not to concede and to score our four goals. We stayed compact when the opposition had the ball and won it back as quickly as we could – we also then expanded when we had the ball, which created space for our team to run into for throws, corners, through balls etc.

Generally the team played very well, though an area for improvement would be to increase the number of mid-fielders in a position to recover and help defend the goal when the opposition win the ball in our half.

Highsted U13 football team, with Miss Donnelly

Highsted’s a cappella choir, The Origin, recently had the exciting experience of taking part in the Regional Final of the Jack Petchey Foundation Glee Club Challenge. The a cappella performance – sung in close harmony without instrumental accompaniment – was presented by a group of 19 students from Years 10-13, selected by one of the judges following assessment of their entry of I Found (originally by Amber Run). Seven acts competed for the top place in Kent, and only the top three went through to the national final.

At the Regional Final, the girls performed this song – together with a second selected piece – at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks.  Only seven groups in Kent are selected for this stage of the competition, and the top three of those go on to the Grand Final at London’s 02 Arena in March. Although Highsted’s a cappella choir narrowly missed this opportunity by coming fourth of the seven acts, the girls were thrilled to have taken part and are looking forward to entering next year’s competition.

Choir member Elizabeth said: “It was very exciting to be able to compete in the Regional Finals.  We had been practising every week to ensure we were ready. We sang I Found by Amber Run and Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye, the Belgian-Australian multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter.”  She added: “I really enjoy singing in a group with others who also enjoy singing.”

Extra-curricular Achievements

Highsted student Imogen J has achieved success for the second year running in being selected for the International Bowls Series, due to take place in Aberdeen in October.  She was selected during the Under-18s Mixed England Indoor Bowls Trial at Rugby on 15 May.  She said:  “I am very pleased to have made the squad again as there were many changed this year with 52 trialists and only 12 places in the squad.” 

Imogen’s evenings and weekends are usually non-stop bowls, and this winter season was definitely her busiest. Imogen represented Kent Under-25s and the Kent Ladies’ Squad on several occasions. Her biggest achievements were getting through in February to the National Ladies’ Finals in the Under-25 and more recently, for the second year running, she reached the National Finals (last 16) of the Under-18 Mixed Singles, where she played some of her best games and achieved fifth place.

Imogen is a very active member of Swale indoor bowls club and she represented them in the 8-person squad of the National Double Rink Under-25s, where they lost in the semi-final by only one shot. She was also in the mixed team for the National Egham Final played at Boston, where Swale lost to Norfolk. Finally, Imogen has recently won an Under-16s Open Singles competition at Rugby, which she followed the next day in Bristol by playing for the Swale Ladies’ Squad of 16 in the National Ladies’ Yetton Trophy semi-final against Bournemouth. Having won, they then became champions by beating York Ladies that afternoon.

Imogen commented: “It has been a very successful year personally for me and for my club, Swale. This year I have been involved in winning the International Series with the Under-18s England squad, two national titles with my club (National Top Club and National Yetton Trophy) and getting to two finals, one with my club (National Egham Trophy) and one on my own (National Under-18 Singles finals.)”  She added: “This weekend I am travelling up to Royal Leamington Spa, as the outdoor season has begun, for an England Academy squad weekend in preparation hopefully for further matches against Wales in the summer. Despite this, I still have a lot more I would like to achieve in my bowling career.”

Extra-curricular Achievements

When in Year 13, Rachael P was proud to have been awarded the title of National Beam Champion, making her top in the country in this sporting event. Rachael said that the competition was exciting but nerve-wracking because she wanted to do well on beam since it was her favourite and strongest piece. She was shocked by her win but very happy that she was capable of achieving such a high standard.

Rachael started gymnastics thirteen years ago and has competed in Kent, Regional and National competitions for many years. This was her last ever competition because she had decided to leave the sport at the end of October to concentrate on her A-level studies.

Rachael said, “My plans are now to focus on school but also help out at the gym to enable others to accomplish their goals and overcome their fears.” The school are proud of Rachael and her success – congratulations Rachael!

Extra-curricular Achievements

When in Year 9, Highsted’s Natalia F was selected to play with an Australian rugby team at the Paris World Games. Four girls from the Aylesford Under-15 Rugby Squad have had the honour of being asked to play with the Brisbane team travelling over from Australia for the Under-15 Sevens tournament in France.

This amazing experience has developed from the original link held with the Harlequins Ladies’ team and Michelle Mayhew, Head of Female Rugby Operations at Harlequins, together with the Aylesford coaches. They were able to recognise four team players who were considered able to develop their skills further and enhance the Brisbane team.

The girls travelled to Paris to meet their new team mates on Tuesday 3 July where they will then attend their elite training camp with them before ultimately being involved in both the opening and the closing ceremonies, and competing against the best in the world for the Under-15 Sevens tournament. When they left the training camp on Monday 9 July, they will have achieved new friendships and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Fleur H, Natalia F, Mollie W and Abbie D spent the previous few months at additional fitness training sessions and Sevens’ training sessions to ensure they are at their peak of fitness prior to their involvement in these games. We would like to wish the girls the best of luck and success for their future in the sport.

Extra-curricular Achievements

On Sunday 28 November 2021, two Highsted students, Chloe and Sophie W, represented Sittingbourne’s TSA Taekwondo club in the PUMA British Taekwondo Championships in Bristol. Here is their report of the day.

The first event of the day was the High kick competition where a target is raised, like high jump, to see who can kick highest. Chloe won a final kick off and won the Gold medal in the 160-170cm category.

The next event tested Taekwondo patterns, where you have to perform a sequence of attacks and defences against an imaginary opponent. Sophie completed her pattern with the required accuracy and power to win the Bronze medal.

The final event of the day was the semi-contact free sparring. Chloe competed first in the 160-180cm category. At only 165cm tall it was always going to be a challenge, however she won her semi-final fight with the decision from all four judges. The final was against a much taller and heavier opponent, however she fought well and was equal on points after three minutes. After some last-minute advice from her instructor, she came out for extra time much stronger and faster than her opponent. Her tactics worked and at the end was awarded the Gold medal and the title British Champion 2021.

Sophie, at 147cm, competed next in the 150-160 category (nobody under 150cm wants to fight her!). Her semi-final fight was against a PUMA kick boxing student. Unfortunately for the kick boxer, she completely surprised her opponent, coming out hard and tiring the other girl quickly. A combination of kicks and punches scored and she was awarded the win by all four judges. The girl she had to fight in the final was a lot taller, but Sophie fought with the same attacking style as before. Unfortunately, the opponent scored with a number of well-timed kicks and despite her best efforts Sophie lost a very close final 3-1, taking home the Silver medal.

TSA had a very successful day and we were proud to be part of it. Congrtatulations on your achievements, Chloe and Sophie, Highsted is very proud of you both!

Chloe W (Year 9.3) and Sophie W (Year 7.2)

Extra-curricular Achievements

Katie recently competed at national level this summer in the 5000m racewalk event at the UK Athletics Championships, held in Manchester on 26th June. She was placed Sixth in her event – an amazing achievement to be competing nationally. Congratulations, Katie!