THE ALTON SCHOOL GUIDE TO SPORT

THE ALTON SCHOOL GUIDE TO SPORT

Index Page Number: 2 Welcome from the Director of Sport 3 The PE Department 4 Life skills learnt from sport 5 Lifelong participation in sport 6 Parent guidelines at sporting fixtures 7 Difference between PE & Games 8 Prep School Swimming 2017/18 9 Sport in Reception to Year 13 22 Fixtures and games afternoons 23 Clothing 24 Senior School Strike System 25 External sports clubs 26 Senior lunchtime team training 27 Alton School tournaments, house events and sports day dates 2017/18 A full timetable of fixtures and matches in booklet form will be sent out each term. 1

Welcome Sport gives pupils the opportunity to be part of a team, learn about themselves under pressure and challenge their body physically and mentally. We understand that a positive sporting experience at school encourages a lifelong love for sport and exercise. It is extremely rewarding to see both Prep and Senior School pupils winning not just local fixtures but regional and national ISA competitions on a regular basis. The success of our sporting programme relies on the involvement of as many pupils as possible, not just the school s best athletes. Achieving high participation in both team and individual sports is essential for the wellbeing and health of all of our pupils. We expect pupils to play and represent the school up until Year 9 in our team sports if selected. For girls, the major team sports are hockey, netball, athletics, tennis and rounders. For boys, the major team sports are football, rugby, cricket and athletics. Years 10, 11 and the Sixth Form have more choice to play in a team, or choose another activity in which they have more interest. We also understand that sport is far more than what happens on the sports field or netball court. Sport instills lifelong values into our pupils such as confidence, discipline, respect, decision-making skills, a strong work ethic as well as leadership and management skills. There is growing evidence that physical activity improves academic performance, with some research showing those who are active achieve up to 40% higher scores in school tests. Whether you are an aspiring athlete on a sport scholarship programme or playing sport recreationally for fun and enjoyment, the Sport Department at Alton School looks forward to inspiring and motivating our pupils to thrive, flourish and gain confidence through sport and physical activity. Mr James Director of Sport 2

The Department The PE and Games staff consists of five full time PE teachers as well as many other teaching staff from both the Prep and Senior School. Please find below the responsibilities of each member of staff and a contact email address so you can contact the correct teacher if you have any questions. Mr James Director of Sport Email: sjames@altonconvent.org.uk Mrs Cowle Head of Senior School PE & Games (Responsible for Senior School netball) Email: acowle@altonconvent.org.uk Mrs Brown Head of Prep School PE & Games (Responsible for all Prep School girls sport) Email: bbrown@altonconvent.org.uk Miss O Donnell PE Teacher (Responsible for hockey) Email: podonnell@altonconvent.org.uk Mr Shanley PE Teacher (Responsible for all Prep School boys sport) Email: rshanley@altonconvent.org.uk 3

Life skills A school by definition is an institution for educating children and preparing them for the future. UNICEF identifies core life skills (social, cognitive and emotional) they believe are important for success in adult life. Sport has the potential to develop all of them, highlighting the importance of being in a team and taking part in physical activity. Communication and interpersonal skills Negotiation and refusal skills Empathy Co-operation and teamwork Decision making / problem solving skills Critical thinking skills Creative thinking Coping and self-management skills (self-confidence, self-esteem, goal setting skills, self-evaluation, self-assessment) Managing feelings (anger management, anxiety, coping with a loss, trauma or abuse) Stress management skills (time management, positive thinking, relaxation techniques, self-assessment) Social and emotional competencies (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision making) 4

Lifelong love for sport and physical exercise We know the reasons pupils drop out of playing sport: It s no longer fun Too much pressure to perform Too much emphasis on winning at a young age They are afraid to make mistakes They have lost ownership of the experience If pupils are to continue to play sport and be physically active throughout life it needs to be fun and heavily game-based. Teachers, coaches and parents need to ensure more time is invested in the development of each pupil rather than being exclusively concerned with their win-loss ratio. It takes a long time to be able to excel at something and regular and progressive practice is the only way to improve there are no short cuts! There is significant research showing that children who specialise in a sport too early end up dropping out of that sport because it stops being fun, the pressure to win is too high or they have simply burnt out from training too many hours in that one sport. As a guideline we recommend a pupil trains no more than their age in hours of structured sport a week. Ideal training : competition balance Active Start Male and Female 0-6 (Play and participate : physical literacy) FUNdamentals Male 6-9, Female 6-8 (FUN with a little competition*) Learn to Train Male 9-12, Female 8-11 (70% train : 30% competition*) Train to Train Male 12-16, Female 11-15 (60% train : 40% competition*) Train to Compete Male 16-23, Female 15-21 (40% train : 60% competition*) Train to Win Males 19+/-, Females 18+/- (25% train : 75% competition*) Active for Life Habits encouraged all through school life *Competition is competition specific training and actual competition combined 5

Parent guidelines at sporting fixtures It does not matter if a pupil is in the A team or D team, the important thing is that pupils feel part of a team. All pupils develop at different speeds and will be put into a team that is appropriate for their level of play. We ask that you respect the team selection. All pupils will have the opportunity to play up a team if they have shown consistent improvement in training and competition. Encourage your son/daughter to participate in all sport, but avoid putting pressure on him/her. Pupils are more often than not playing sport because they find it fun and enjoyable, not because they feel they can win every match. Work ethic, respect, sportsmanship & fair play, body language, energy, discipline, attitude, passion, having a positive mindset and being coachable are all values which we believe are as important as winning. We encourage you to help your son/daughter understand these values. Please do not look disappointed when your son/daughter makes a mistake. Mistakes are an opportunity to learn. A smile and some encouragement to continue to play on are important when your son/daughter feels he/she has made a mistake. Please respect umpires, officials and referees. Please never question their decisions. Pupils learn by example. Lots of praise and encouragement is welcome. Be friendly and talk to the opposition s parents. Applaud good play not just on your son/daughter s team but on the other team as well. Remember your son/daughter just wants you to be their mum/dad and support them and watch the game. Please remember you are not their coach/teacher. Positive mindset questions following a fixture Did you have fun? Did you enjoy yourself? I loved that pass you made! Great that you never gave in! 6

The difference between PE and Games Physical education (PE) is about giving our pupils the opportunity to have a go at lots of different sports. It will involve learning about the body, health and fitness. Games lessons will generally involve team training or fixtures in the main competitive sport for the term. If it rains and fixtures and training sessions are called off Senior pupils will participate in some group exercise at Energique. 7

Prep School Swimming 2017/18 Please see below the dates for swimming for the academic year 2017/18. Reception Year 2 Swimming Wednesday 13 th September Wednesday 20 th September Wednesday 27 th September Wednesday 4 th October Wednesday 11 th October Wednesday 18 th October Wednesday 1 st November Wednesday 8 th November Wednesday 15 th November Wednesday 29 th November Fun Swim Wednesday 17 th January Wednesday 24 th January Wednesday 31 st January Wednesday 7 th February Wednesday 21 st February Wednesday 28 th February Wednesday 7 th March Wednesday 14 th March Wednesday 21 st March Fun Swim Wednesday 18 th April Wednesday 25 th April Wednesday 2 nd May Wednesday 9 th May Wednesday 16 th May Wednesday 23 rd May Wednesday 6 th June Wednesday 13 th June Wednesday 20 th June Wednesday 27 th June Fun Swim Years 3-6 Swimming Thursday 14 th September Thursday 21 st September Thursday 28 th September Thursday 5 th October Thursday 12 th October Water Polo Thursday 19 th October Thursday 2 nd November Thursday 9 th November Swimming Gala Thursday 16 th November Thursday 23 rd November Thursday 30 th November Fun Swim Thursday 18 th January Thursday 25 th January Thursday 1 st February Water Polo Thursday 8 th February Thursday 22 nd February Thursday 1 st March Lifesaving* Thursday 8 th March Thursday 15 th March Thursday 22 nd March Fun Swim *For the lifesaving week on the 1 st March all pupils in Years 3-6 will need to bring in a set of pyjamas as well as swimming kit. 8

PE with Reception 2 x PE lessons a week 1 x 30 minute swimming lesson a week all year round Reception PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Fundamentals Football / Hockey Gymnastics / Yoga Fun Run/ Benchball Athletics Rounders/ Cricket Tennis Swimming will take place every Wednesday morning 10-10:30am. Please see page 8 for all of the swimming dates for the academic year 2017/18. 9

PE with Year 1 2 x PE lessons a week 1 x 30 minute swimming lesson a week all year round Year 1 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Football / Hockey Gymnastics / Yoga FUNdamentals Fun run / Bench ball Athletics Rounders / Cricket Tennis Swimming will take place every Wednesday morning 9:30-10am. Please see page 8 for all of the swimming dates for the academic year 2017/18. 10

PE with Year 2 2 x PE lessons a week 1 x 30 minute swimming lesson a week all year round Year 2 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Football / Hockey Gymnastics / Yoga FUNdamentals Fun run / Bench ball Athletics Cricket / Rounders Tennis Swimming will take place every Wednesday morning 9-9:30am. Please see page 8 for all of the swimming dates for the academic year 2017/18. 11

PE and Games with Year 3 1 x PE lesson a week 1 x Games lesson a week 1 x Games afternoon a week 1 x 30 minute swimming lesson a week for the first two terms In the summer term pupils will gain an additional hour of PE on a Thursday morning where they will have had swimming for the first two terms Year 3 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Gymnastics Basketball Health and Fitness Athletics Rounders Tennis Year 3 Games Focus (Thursday afternoon from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Girls: Netball Boys: Football Girls: Hockey Boys: Rugby Girls: Athletics Tennis & Rounders Boys: Cricket & Athletics Swimming will take place every Thursday morning 10-10:30am. Please see page 8 for all of the swimming dates for the academic year 2017/18. 12

PE and Games with Year 4 1 x PE lesson a week 1 x Games lesson a week 1 x Games afternoon a week 1 x 30 minute swimming lesson a week for the first two terms In the summer term pupils will gain an additional hour of PE on a Thursday morning where they will have had swimming for the first two terms Year 4 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Gymnastics Handball Health and Fitness Athletics Rounders Tennis Year 4 Games Focus (Thursday afternoon from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Girls: Netball Boys: Football Girls: Hockey Boys: Rugby Girls: Athletics Tennis & Rounders Boys: Cricket & Athletics Swimming will take place every Thursday morning 10-10:30am. Please see page 8 for all of the swimming dates for the academic year 2017/18. 13

PE and Games with Year 5 1 x PE lesson a week 1 x Games lesson a week 1 x Games afternoon a week 1 x 30 minute swimming lesson a week for the first two terms In the summer term pupils will gain an additional hour of PE on a Thursday morning where they will have had swimming for the first two terms Year 5 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Gymnastics Uni-hoc Health and Fitness Athletics Rounders Tennis Year 5 Games Focus (Wednesday afternoons from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Girls: Netball Boys: Football Girls: Hockey Boys: Rugby Girls: Athletics Tennis & Rounders Boys: Cricket & Athletics Swimming will take place every Thursday morning 10:30-11am. Please see page 8 for all of the swimming dates for the academic year 2017/18. 14

PE and Games with Year 6 1 x PE lesson a week 1 x Games lesson a week 1 x Games afternoon a week 1 x 30 minute swimming lesson a week for the first two terms In the summer term pupils will gain an additional hour of PE on a Thursday morning where they will have had swimming for the first two terms Year 6 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Gymnastics Pop Lacrosse Health and Fitness Athletics Rounders Tennis Year 6 Games Focus (Wednesday afternoons from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Girls: Netball Boys: Football Girls: Hockey Boys: Rugby Girls: Athletics Tennis & Rounders Boys: Cricket & Athletics Swimming will take place every Thursday morning 11-11:30am. Please see page 8 for all of the swimming dates for the academic year 2017/18. 15

PE and Games with Year 7 1 x PE lesson a week 1 x Games lesson a week 1 x two hour Games afternoon a week Year 7 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Netball Health and Fitness / Gymnastics / Football Health and Fitness / Gymnastics / Football Athletics Athletics Cricket / Tennis / Rounders Year 7 Games Focus (Monday afternoons from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Hockey Netball Athletics Tennis & Rounders Cross country will also take place during the first two terms. 16

PE and Games with Year 8 1 x PE lesson a week 1 x Games lesson a week 1 x two hour Games afternoon a week Year 8 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Netball Health and fitness / basketball / tag rugby Health and fitness / basketball / tag rugby Athletics Athletics Cricket / Tennis / Rounders Year 8 Games Focus (Monday afternoons from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Hockey Netball Athletics Tennis & Rounders Cross country will also take place during the first two terms. 17

PE and Games with Year 9 1 x PE lesson a week 1 x Games lesson a week 1 x two hour Games afternoon a week Year 9 PE Focus Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Netball Health and fitness / volleyball / lacrosse Health and fitness / volleyball / lacrosse Athletics Athletics Cricket / Tennis / Rounders Year 9 Games Focus (Tuesday afternoons from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Hockey Netball Athletics Tennis & Rounders Cross country will also take place during the first two terms. 18

Games with Year 10 1 x two hour Games afternoon a week Year 10 Games Focus (Thursday afternoons from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Hockey Netball Athletics Tennis & Rounders In Year 10 it is no longer expected that the girls play in a team if selected. Girls will be asked towards the end of Year 9 if they would like to play in a hockey or netball team when they go into Year 10. If they do, the girls will continue to train in these sports during their Games lessons and we will organise a fixture list for them. If not, the girls will have the choice each half term of the sports shown below. Year 10 Games Options Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Hockey Hockey Netball Netball Tennis Tennis Badminton Squash Spinning Football Rounders Rounders Squash Spinning Circuits Cricket Gym Gym Basketball *Athletics *Athletics *During spring 2, summer 1 and 2 the girls will also need to complete all of their athletics events in preparation for districts, regionals and sports day competitions. 19

Games with Year 11 1 x two hour Games afternoon a week Year 11 Games Focus (Wednesday afternoons from 2:10pm) Autumn Spring Summer Hockey Netball Athletics Tennis & Rounders In Year 11 girls will be asked towards the end of Year 10 if they would like to play in a hockey or netball team when they go into Year 11. If they do, the girls can continue to train in these sports and we will organise a fixture list for them. If not, the girls will have the choice each half term of the sports shown below. Year 11 Games Options Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Hockey Hockey Uni Hoc Netball Tennis Tennis Badminton Squash Spinning Lacrosse Rounders Rounders Squash Spinning Circuits Cricket Gym Gym *Athletics *Athletics *During spring 2, summer 1 and 2 the girls will also need to complete all of their athletics events in preparation for districts, regionals and sports day competitions. 20

Games with Year 12 and 13 2 x one hour Games lessons Year 12 and 13 Games Focus Autumn Spring Summer Hockey Netball Athletics Tennis & Rounders In Year 12 and 13 girls will be asked towards the end of Year 11 if they would like to play in a hockey or netball team when they go into Year 12 and 13. If they do, the girls can continue to train in these sports and we will organise a fixture list for them. If not, the girls will have the choice each half term of the sports shown below. Year 12 and 13 Games Options Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2 Hockey Hockey Spinning Lacrosse Tennis Tennis Badminton Squash Circuits Uni Hoc Rounders Rounders Squash Spinning Volleyball Cricket Gym Gym 21

Games afternoons and fixtures The aim of Games afternoons for Years 7-9 is to either participate in a fixture against another school, participate in team training or if it is raining or there are no available courts or pitches (due to other teams playing in fixtures), to participate in group exercise to improve pupils fitness. This is likely to be a spin class, circuit class, exercising in the school gym or playing some squash. The aim of Games afternoons for Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 is to participate in some exercise or a team sport of the pupil s choice. The choice of exercise and sports are shown on pages 19, 20 and 21 of this booklet. Again, if it rains, pupils that have chosen to play in a school team will instead participate in some group exercise. Year 10 upwards have more choice to encourage lifelong participation in a sport they enjoy into adulthood. There will be a separate fixtures booklet for the Prep and Senior School which we will send out to parents at the start of each term. Fixtures If your son/daughter is playing in a fixture you will be made aware of the start time and finish time of the match, and if the match is away you will also be advised when your son/daughter will arrive back at school. If you go to watch an away match you may take your son/daughter home straight from the fixture. You must make the teacher in charge aware before you take your son/daughter home. We please ask that you read page 6 of this booklet and abide by our sporting principles. 22

Clothing Full list of girl s kit White and navy polo Skort Long navy and white socks Tracksuit bottoms Navy hoodie or sweatshirt White socks Shin pads Gum shield Trainers Boots Sport kit bag Optional: White base layer Navy leggings base layer Netball dress Additional Prep Items: Swimming costume Swim hat Swimming kit bag Goggles Full list of boy s kit White and navy polo Navy and white rugby jersey Navy shorts Long navy and white socks Tracksuit bottoms Navy sweatshirt White socks Shin pads Gum shield Trainers Boots Sport kit bag Optional: White base layer Navy leggings base layer Additional Prep Items: Swimming costume Swim hat Swimming kit bag Goggles Blue and white socks are to be worn for the autumn and spring terms in all PE and Games lessons, except for netball fixtures where girls can wear white socks with a netball dress. In the summer term both girls and boys across the school are to wear white socks. Thermal tops and bottoms as well as tracksuit bottoms and the navy hoodie or sweatshirt can be worn when it is cold. 23

Strike System In the Senior School, we operate a 3-strike system. If a pupil forgets an item of kit, does not tidy their kit away or does not behave in a sensible manner during lessons they will receive a strike in the PE register. When a pupil receives three strikes this will lead to a debit. 24

External sport clubs Below is a list of sport clubs for pupils who wish to join a local team. The level of coaching in the school is very high and we do well in competition, however, pupils who aim for a place in one of the higher teams at school generally play at club level outside school. Football Alton Football Club Manor Colts Football Club Rugby Alton Rugby Club Cricket Alton Cricket Club Netball Bugs Bordon Netball Club Rushmoor Netball Club Spitfires Netball Club Winchester Netball Club Hockey Alton Hockey Club If there are any clubs that pupils in our school play in, which are not on this list, please email Mr James as he would be happy to add the club to the list above. 25

Lunchtime team training Senior pupils In the Senior School, we run lunchtime training practices from 1:10-1:40pm. All lunchtime practices are open to all pupils who have been selected to play in a team. Senior School lunchtime training sessions Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Autumn Term Year 7 & 8 Netball Spring Term Year 7 & 8 Hockey Year 9 & 10 Netball Year 11, 12 & 13 Netball Year 9, 10 & 11 Hockey Summer Term TBC TBC TBC 26

Tournaments and house events 2017/18 Below is a list of tournaments to be held at Alton School, this list may be amended during the year. As well as these tournaments, we attend a huge number of tournaments both in the Prep and Senior School in a large number of sports. We also attend ISA regional and national events in swimming, cross country, athletics, netball, football and hockey. U10 Netball Tournament: Wednesday 11 th October 2017 U11 Netball Tournament: Wednesday 18 th October 2017 U9 High Five Netball Tournament: Thursday 2 nd November 2017 U8 Netball Tournament: Thursday 9 th November 2017 U9 7 a side Football Tournament: Thursday 5 th October 2017 Prep School House Events Netball: Monday 16 th November 2017 Swimming Gala: Thursday 9 th November 2017 Football: Monday 15 th January 2018 Cross Country: Monday 5 th March 2018 Rounders: Monday 30 th April 2018 Senior School House Events House Hockey: Friday 24 th November House Netball: Friday 16 th March House Rounders: Monday 2 nd July Sports Day 2017/18: Monday 25 th or Tuesday 26 th June 27