Prep stars excel in numerous fields
Our resident swimming star Osca Clark gained a haul of trophies from a recent event.
The Rhyl Swimming Club member and Year 6 pupil continued his fine form in the pool by taking home no less than five trophies from a competitive gala in the Under 10 section.
This is the latest in a series of tremendous performances from the youngster, who took up swimming at the age of three at Prestatyn Nova.
The 10-year-old pupil said that his greatest triumph was winning the 100 metre backstroke, which is not his preferred style of swimming, but he managed to take home the prize after working hard on his technique.
Osca is following in the footsteps of his brother Mason, who is also a highly-touted swimmer with the club and is currently at the Senior School.
Our promising showjumping sensation Hattie Maddocks also celebrated success at a recent competition.
The Aberconwy Pony Club member came first in the team category as part of the Cheshire Hunt South team at the Winter League Showjumping U10 competition held at Bryn Derw near Llanberis on Sunday, October 18.
The nine year-old also achieved success in the individual event, coming fourth despite some strong competition from 21 other competitors.
Mother Dawn Harding, said: “Hattie entered as an individual but when we got there Cheshire Hunt South team needed a fourth member so she agreed to jump for their team.
“She performed brilliantly and although she has only had her pony Belle for two years she has achieved a fantastic amount in a short space of time.
“We recently went to the Horse of the Year show at the NEC as spectators, and Hattie has huge ambitions to ride there one day.”
Hattie contributed significantly to Cheshire Hunt South gaining the team award, jumping a double clear round to secure the crown.
During the summer she has been competing at county level with her 12-year-old part bred Welsh mare Belle, and had success at the Flint and Denbigh, Eglwysbach and Royal Welsh shows in what has been a promising young career to date.
Running star James Copeland has set his sights on further success after once again breaking the Cross Country record.
The Year 6 pupil took three seconds off his own personal best on Thursday, November 12 to complete the course in nine minutes and three seconds.
Ten year-old James, who is deputy head boy, recorded a double success in the space of just three days in 2014 smashing the course record and winning the IAPS Cross Country competition held at Wilmslow Rugby Club.
Although he was just nine years old at the time, he beat the previous fastest time – recorded five years ago by an 11 year-old pupil – by a staggering 18 seconds to set a new course record of nine minutes, six seconds.
James said: “I would like to be the first person to run the course in under 9 minutes.”
A number of our immensely talented swimmers have booked their place at the Urdd National Gala in Cardiff.
The group performed exceptionally at the regional gala and will now travel to South Wales to compete against the nation’s best young swimmers.
There was both individual and team success during the event, with Osca Clark and John Williams achieving qualification individually thanks to a number of rousing performances throughout the gala.
There was also success for our relay and mixed relay teams, who secured a national gala spot in the face of stiff competition from other schools from the area.
Mr McDuff, said: “We have a large number of talented swimmers at the Prep School, and it is wonderful to hear that they have qualified for the Urdd National Gala.
“Their success is down to a lot of hard work from both them and the staff, who do a great job of nurturing their talent and maximising the potential.
“Going down to the capital will be a fantastic experience for them all and I am sure that they will do the school proud.”
A high kicking pupil is celebrating after success at a recent karate grading.
Nathan Richards was rewarded for his dedication to his craft by gaining a brown belt with distinction on Saturday, October 24.
He goes to Adrian Wright's Martial Arts Academy in Rhos-on-Sea.
Mother Amanda Cunningham, said: “Nathan has come on leaps and bounds since he started doing karate, and to get a brown belt at his age is a fantastic achievement.
“He really enjoys going to the training sessions and his confidence has improved significantly during that time, and we hope his experience at the Martial Arts Academy will stand him in good stead in later life.”