ON Tuesday, May 17, Mr Sam Matthews, Independent Schools Association South West Sport Coordinator and PE teacher at St Joseph’s School, had the task of organising the prestigious ISA South West Athletics event at Exeter Arena.

After months of preparation, over 20 independent schools from across the South West come together in the spirit of friendly competition, with over 400 pupils competing for honours in the annual event.

Winners of each event, or those who finished first or second in the long distance events, were then selected to represent the South West region at the ISA National Athletics event that will be held in Birmingham on Wednesday, June 29. Pupils from across the school took part, with the youngest in Year three and the eldest in Year 11 entering the wide range of track and field events that allowed them to shine in many different disciplines.

St Joseph’s School pupils performed amazingly well, with over 90 pupils taking part throughout the day. Congratulations to all of the following pupils from St Joseph’s, each of whom has now qualified for the national event:

Year 4: Olivia Shute, 1st — 60 m; Ella Shaw, 2nd — 600 m; Freyja Malin, 1st — Rounders Ball Throw

Year 7: Max Russell, 1st — 800 m and 2nd — 1500 m; Will Heard, 1st — 200 m; Eddie Steedman, 1st — High Jump; Chloe Smith, 1st — 800 m and 2nd 1500 m; Ella Henry-Brock, 1st — 200 m and Long Jump; Kitty May, 1st — High Jump; Isabelle Thomas, 1st — Javelin

Years 8 and 9: Bella Russell, 2nd — 1500 m; Zoe Woods, 1st — High Jump; Ava McDiarmid-Hall, 1st — Long Jump;

Years 10 and 11: Michael Barton, 1st — 800 m and 1500 m; Chris Thorns, 1st — 100 m hurdles; Jake Winmill, 1st — 400 m; Robert Stockdale *, 1st — 100 m; Oliver James *, 1st — Discus

*Due to GCSE examinations, some Year 11 athletes could not attend the event but are able to enter a time/distance. A faster time was recorded for the 100m and a longer distance recorded for the discus.