Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Cross Country

  Tue 15 Feb 2022

  On Monday 14th February, we took 40 children to Down Grange to compete in the Basingstoke Cross Country competition alongside many other Basingstoke schools. 

   

  First up were the Year 3 and 4 children. Both the boys and girls had to run 1km around a very muddy and slippy course. All of the children worked really hard to complete the course and an incredible run by George Stepney saw him win the boys race by a considerable margin. 

   

  This was followed by the Year 5/6 boys and girls races, where the distance increased to 1.5km. All the children managed to complete the distance and we were incredibly impressed by their determination and stamina! Sofia and Zoe managed to finish inside the top 12 overall in a very tough field and so will progress to compete in the county finals next half-term. We wish them the best of luck. 

   

  As part of the event the top 5 runners from each school in each age group are scored and then all of the schools ranked. We were really pleased to find out after the competition that our Year 3/4 boys' team came 3rd out of 15 schools and the Year 5/6 girls' finished 2nd out of 16 schools. 

   

  Well done to everyone who took part!

  

• Girls' Football

  Fri 11 Feb 2022

  On Thursday our newly formed Year 6 girl's football team participated in the Under 11 tournament at War Memorial Park. The girls were placed in a group alongside three other local schools; for their first ever game they came up against Whitchurch, they battled well, with Maggie making great clearances and Sophia pulling off a fine save to keep the game level ending in a draw.  

   

  With a 2 game break the girls practised their passing and moving skills ready to take on Chiltern. Paola stepped up to take on the role of GK, the girls came very close to scoring a couple of times with Lillie pressing up front, it was Chiltern that netted the first goal just before half time. We came out strong in the second half with Mia having a great run up the wing to cut into the box and score a fine goal. There was great play both ends of the pitch but the ball fell nicely for the Chiltern striker to slot the winner in the back of the net. The game ended 2-1.  

   

  For the girl’s final group game we knew a win would put us in a good position to progress to the quarter finals. The girls were working well as a team and Mia took a shot on goal and scored. Rucstall came out in the second half strong to get the goal back with the number 11 running through and getting a great shot on goal. Latia battled hard in defence assisted by Maggie and Freya. Sophia went on a great run through the middle and released a shot on goal with the keeper making a good save. With some good passing play Paola scored the winning goal.  

   

  After a quick drink’s break teams were called in to find out who they were playing next. We were called first and had made it to the quarter finals and were up against a strong North Waltham side. All the girls worked their socks off, putting in great challenges, good passing and moving the ball around the pitch, North Waltham had a shot on goal with Olivia pulling off a great save. But we couldn’t hold them off and the game ended with a win to North Waltham. 

   

  The girls were a credit to the school and we are very proud of them, they showed commitment, character and great determination. Well Done. 

   

  

• Individual Table Tennis

  Fri 04 Feb 2022

  On Thursday 3rd February, four St John's pupils competed in the Basingstoke Schools Individual Table Tennis Competition. This year the competition was slightly different, with reduced numbers of participants allowed from each school. To decide on who went to the tournament we first held an intra-school tournament with the finalists being taken to the event. The standard of this competition was incredibly high with some very closely contested matches. Well done to all that took part. 

   

  For the girls' Sophia and Amelia were our representatives. Both girls' won all of their matches at the competition and so the winner was decided by them having to play each other. Sophia won this match and so was crowned champion, with Amelia securing second place and a silver medal. 

   

  It was the same story in the boys' with Theo and Ellis winning all of their matches against other schools meaning the title was decided by the match between themselves. In a very closely fought contest Ellis was the eventual winner and claimed the title, with Theo coming second and securing silver. 

   

  Because all four children were either winners or runners-up they will all now go to Southampton to represent Basingstoke at the county finals at the end of February. Well done to all involved and we wish them good luck in the next round.