Preparatory School Physical Education & Games
The aim of Physical Education in the Prep School is to acquire an enthusiam and enjoyment for physical activity whilst at the same time, assisting their physical, social and creative development. Boys are given the chance to acquire and develop their physical competence and skills in a variety of activities whilst providing opportunities for them to display their understanding in a competitive environment.
There is a full time subject specialist who is supported by other well qualified coaches to deliver the P.E. & Games programme throughout the Prep School.
The school's facilities are excellent with a large sports hall, a smaller multi-purpose hall, playing fields which include three rugby pitches, a cricket pitch and cricket nets. The school also has access to an athletics track, swimming pool, further cricket squares and playing fields in Verulamian Park, all within walking distance.
Curriculum
Each class in the Pre-Prep has two lessons per week with a subject specialist teacher where they cover a variety of activities such as gymnastics & movement, games & sports skills and athletic activities. The teaching is supported by a large range of age-specific resources which allows the boys to become confident in a P.E. environment whilst they develop their physical competence. The concepts of working co-operatively as part of a team or group are constantly encouraged through the various activities and games.
The Prep is divided into lower (Year 3 and 4) and upper (Year 5 and 6) schools. In the lower school pupils participate in one games session each week in addition to their time tabled P.E. lesson and swimming session. Swimming at all ages is taught by ASA qualified swimming instructors. They have one lesson per week (reception class - Trinity term only) where they work on confidence in the water whilst developing their swimming strokes. The small groups allow boys to progress at their own pace and suits all confidence levels.
Activities in P.E. change each term and include gymnastics, health & fitness activities, sports skills & games and athletics. In the upper school pupils participate in two games sessions each week in addition to their time tabled P.E. lesson. Termly P.E. activities include gymnastics, health & fitness activities, basketball, hockey and athletics.
In both the lower and upper schools our main games are rugby and cricket. After half term in the spring term in the upper school, football is delivered to pupils not involved in rugby squads with the opportunity to play fixtures against other schools.
Inter-School Competition
There is a large and extensive competitive fixture and tournament list in our major games from the Under 8 age group upwards. Rugby is the major sport in the Michaelmas and Lent term's whilst cricket and athletics are delivered in the Trinity term. Upper school fixtures are predominately played on Friday afternoon whilst under 8s and under 9s play on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.
The school competes in national, county, district and friendly competitions in rugby, athletics, football, cross country and basketball. Throughout the year, St Columba's also hosts a number of well-attended events such as a major Under 9 rugby tournament, a Catholic primary schools' cross-country championships and an inter-school athletics meeting.
Sport for All
Although there are many opportunities for able pupils to compete in many different activities, the P.E. and Games department prides itself on its ethos of ‘sports for all'. The school regularly plays ‘A', ‘B',and ‘C' teams in fixtures for all age groups to allow all pupils to represent the school. Annual sporting activities in the Prep also include inter-house rugby, football, cross country, basketball (upper school), the swimming gala and sports day. As important as participation and prowess, sportsmanship and good manners on and off the field and on the touchline are regarded as essential.
Inter-School Sports Fixtures & Results
