Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, at Sponne School

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is in its seventh year at Sponne School. It is a nationally recognised award.

Is looked upon favourably by employers and universities. It’s a challenge for young people aged between 14 and 24

Each student completes a personal programme of activities in four sections usually over a year.

Volunteering, Skill, Physical and Expedition sections, at three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

This year I am running just Bronze and Gold levels with over 70 Bronze students and 30 Gold students.

Adrian O’Grady

Design & Technology Teacher

Duke of Edinburgh Award Manager

Sponne School

5-6pm every Thursday at Towcester Leisure Centre (sports hall)
For more information contact Kieren.Westbury@cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk
Free sessions For 11-14 yr olds(exceptions can be made)

On Tuesday 17th February Sponne School took part in the annual South Northants district sports hall athletics championships which were held in Daventry against the other local secondary schools. Sponne entered an "A" team made up of our strongest Yr 8 athletes and a "B" team comprising our new intake of Yr 7 athletes. The event saw the girls compete in various running, jumping and throwing events.

The A team dominated the event with a succession of first places and the B team also surprised with their speed and jumping abilities. 

The FA People’s Cup is a small-sided football competition, run in partnership with BBC Get Inspired. It is completely free to enter, running across the county for players ranging from U14s, through to veterans football.  Our local venue GOALS (Northampton) will be holding three events, which students may be interested in participating in;

• U14 male (Y8/9) on Friday 23^rd February, 1830-2130
• U16 male (Y10/11) on Friday 23^rd February, 1830-2130
• 16+ male (Y12/13) on Sunday 25^th February, 1400-1700

Last year 35,000 people competed, making it the biggest 5-a-side tournament in the country!

Students wishing to find a team to play for / enter a team should register their interest with Mr. Cornelius in D16.

Penalty Shootout Heartache for the U16 Footballers

We hosted The Latimer Arts College in a County Cup Quarter-Final on Thursday 18^th January, in cool and slightly blustery conditions.  The first 10 minutes was all Sponne possession, inside the Latimer half,  with a few half chances in front of goal.  But it was Latimer who struck first, a break on the counter attack; which happened to be their very first attack of the game.  Heads did not drop, and despite being 1-0 down, Sponne picked up where they left off, dominating much of play.

The year 7s forms had a competition for who could create the best anti-bullying poster.

The top 4 posters were:

7RW:
Max Czerniuk, Maisie Ballinger, Faith Hawkins

7CJ:
1) Scarlett Baillie, Zak Ager, Lauren Pettefer, Jack Read
2) Isabel Heley, Emily Rogers, Tegan Doucherty-Legge, Harry Pannell, Joseph Vicars

Having received a free Futsal starter pack last term, students in Years 7 and 8 have been enjoying after school enhancement sessions in this exciting and fast-paced sport.

Many professional footballers honed their skills on a Futsal court, including Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne and Neymar!  The emphasis is on technical skill and ability, which translates across to many football competencies.

England Head Coach delighted as Sponne School receives free Futsal starter pack

Sponne School is all geared up to start playing Futsal after receiving a free starter pack – news that has delighted Michael Skubala, England Futsal Head Coach.

The pack contains 2 Futsal goals and 10 Futsal balls which will be used in PE lesson and in after school Futsal Clubs.  The intention is to be playing regular inter-school Futsal fixtures from October 2018.  Inter-form Futsal tournaments will be taking place after school in January and February for years 7-9 and in the 6^th form for both boys and girls.

The starter packs are designed to adapt existing sports halls, playgrounds and other hard surface facilities to make them Futsal-ready. The packs came courtesy of a £300,000 Futsal scheme, which is funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation.

Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey-sized goals and a size four ball with a reduced bounce. The exciting, fast-paced game is played across the world and is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA.

Regarded as an important and growing game, it is hoped that the provision of equipment and courses will lead to the development of more Futsal players, leagues, competitions and facilities across the country.

The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game. 

As well as delivering the Futsal scheme, the Football Foundation delivers Grow the Game and also the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund on behalf of the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England. Since 2000, the Foundation has supported over 15,000 grassroots projects worth more than £1.4bn.

Michael Skubala, England Futsal Head Coach, said: “A big well done to Sponne School for securing a Futsal starter pack – they have a bright future ahead of them now! We want to get more people playing the sport for the love of it and who knows; perhaps we’ll see some future international players unearthed as a result. Futsal is growing all the time and The FA, with the help of the Football Foundation, is dedicated to increasing its importance and popularity further For All.”

As is traditional in the festive season, Sponne School Musicians have been involved in numerous Christmas events both in school and the community, once again being fantastic ambassadors for the school.
Huge thanks to them for their festive enthusiasm and commitment.

On Thursday 7^th December Sponne School took part in the annual South Northants District Cross Country held at Abington Park, Northampton.

 The conditions were extremely challenging with driving rains and muddy hills. The first race was the Year 7 girls with Lilly Isaac finishing the first Sponne athlete in 14^th place. Lilly was closely followed by Amber Salkeld and Lauren Thomas.