I’m delighted Old Bradfordian Emile Cairess (2016) has accepted my invitation to be our special guest at our Junior School Prize Giving event this term.
I’ve been reflecting on Emile’s journey from BGS pupil to successful international athlete, overtaking Sir Mo Farah to be the first British athlete across the line in this year’s London Marathon in a superb time of 2:08:07! It’s prompted me to reflect on how the seeds of success are sown and how early potential is encouraged and nurtured at BGS.
Emile was a budding footballer before focusing his attention on cross country running. His talent for running was discovered while a pupil at BGS and his early steps nurtured by the specialist sports staff under the expert eye and mentorship of teachers such as Mike McCartney and Tony Kingham. Tony also mentored the Olympic medal winning Brownlee brothers at the school.
Back in 2019 when Emile came back to BGS to coach pupils, he said the specialist sports staff had made a big impact on him.
“I got my first taste of competing at the Junior School when Mr Reddish entered me in a race. I came second and got the taste for it from then,” he said.
“The school invested in me, and I was delighted to go back, to help them in any way I could.”
There are many budding runners, artists and musicians who benefit from our specialist staff who provide Junior School children with the chances to explore and develop their talents and interests from a young age.
A dedicated team of music specialists ensure pupils can learn to play a wide range of instruments and play in ensembles. One of the joys of my working week is happening upon one of our musical ensemble groups in the Clock House Hall during the lunch break, be it String Group with Mrs Davis or Samba Band with Mr Stevens.
The Year 2 and 3 African Drumming group is hugely popular, led by Mrs Alderson. “It makes me feel happy,” announces one Year 3 pupil as I stop by. “I like the way new people join and the way the teacher shows us how to play,” adds another.
Netball is always a fixture on the Junior School playground and interest often starts here with friendly competition during breaktime. Our U11 girls are current HMC North champions and five of them are also in the West Yorkshire netball team. Their development has been nurtured and encouraged by our Head of Junior School PE and Games, Mrs Jones and our specialist netball coaches.
“I love netball because it helps bring friends together and it’s really fun,” says Jaina in Year 6.
“We get a lot out of the lesson,” says Florence, also in Year 6. “It gives us lots of confidence and you learn all the technical stuff which is really helpful.”
We’re always looking to add new areas for the children to explore their talents and our recently introduced ‘one-to-one’ tennis programme is proving to be a ‘smash hit’.
“We all want to get from the soft ball to the orange ball,” says Year 4 pupil Ben. “Tennis is such fun and it’s really good that they do it at this school and you can have a lesson one on one.” “My favourite part of it is the serve and the smash” says Ishaan, also in Year 4.
While sport and music are very popular, we also sow seeds of success in areas such as Art and DT. Our Year 6 pupils have worked on three projects this year culminating in designing and making their own rock guitars using the latest available technology under the experienced guidance of Senior School DT teachers and technicians.
I’m struck by the availability and willingness of specialists to support Junior School pupils. Mr Crabtree, an experienced teacher within the Senior School Maths department, leads a thriving Junior School Table Tennis Club, organises volunteer A Level students to support learning in Clock House and runs the Maths Enrichment Club for budding mathematicians.
It’s our role as educators to create growth environments for pupils, to take time to notice individual interests and to encourage and support their development. Our specialists continue to be a vital ingredient in supporting children on their journey.
Their early investment of time and support adds to the Junior School experience and sets the conditions, behaviours and attitudes for future success. And as Emile has shown, who knows where the seeds sown at Clock House can take you!
“It’s our role as educators to create growth environments for pupils, to take time to notice individual interests and to encourage and support their development.”
Be Social!