As we come to the end of a busy Lent term, we celebrate the incredible commitment and resilience of our sport and exercise community, along with an extraordinary line-up of competitive achievements.
Our fencers battled brilliantly at the Public Schools’ and British Team Championships; our Five players tested themselves at the National Schools’ Championships in Repton; our aquatics squad made waves at the prestigious Bath Cup; and our football, netball and hockey teams travelled the length of the country to compete in cup finals, displaying trademark Highgate pride and integrity throughout.
Amongst the standout achievements, the strength of Girls’ football at Highgate was proved by the winning performances of our U14, U15 and U16 teams (captains pictured in the headline image), including a remarkable hat-trick of titles from the U14s. Their counterparts followed suit, with the U15 Boys making Highgate history by lifting the ISFA Trophy – bringing home our second national title – and the U12 and U18 boys football teams both winning the Middlesex Cup.
Elsewhere on the competitive circuit, Evie and Imogen in Y9 were crowned U14 Girls National Fives Champions and brothers Josh and Zac celebrated a double victory at the British Schools Judo Championships. The U12 Netball team triumphed at the Middlesex Schools competition, and Highgate’s fencers showed the results of a flourishing programme. So far, this year, the U18 Girls’ Foil team secured a bronze medal at the British School Team Championships as well as a win for the Junior Girls squad at the Brentwood Cup, along with some outstanding individual performances.
This term is often the toughest in the school year for our SpEx community – shorter days, colder weather, and this year, one of the wettest starts to a term on record – but our pupils and staff have risen to every challenge with determination. As our Director of Sport and Exercise, Mario Noto, concludes: “In true Highgate fashion, our clubs and training sessions have powered on with remarkable spirit. The energy never dipped – pupils and staff alike have shown a level of commitment that genuinely lifts the whole programme.”
