There has been no shortage of sporting opportunities recently. Just before half-term, it was great to see all of our Year 7 pupils proudly representing the school, with boys’ A-D hockey teams playing Nottingham High School, and girls’ A-F netball teams against Princethorpe College. These were really well-matched games, with an overall tally of 4 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats. At the top end of the school, our U18A netball VII are enjoying a very successful season, having played 15 games, won 11, drawn 2 and lost 2. They also beat the senior boys 18-3 in a fun charity game yesterday lunchtime, comfortably out-witting their valiant yet unskilled opponents! And the school recently appeared for the first time in School Sport magazine’s Top 200 independent and state schools, with results compiled from over 20 different sports in more than 120 events; LGS was placed at 135, ahead of some local rivals with a less diverse offering.

You may have read a media article earlier this week:

Children playing outside far less amid ‘no ball games’ culture, study shows: Researchers also warned of the growing dominance of smartphones, social media and gaming.

A report by the Raising the Nation Play Commission warned that restrictions on outdoor recreation have resulted in children spending less time on traditional play activities. It followed a 2018 report by the Real Play Coalition showing that children’s time spent playing outdoors had dropped by 50 per cent in a single generation. Baroness Longfield, executive chairman of the commission said: “Children are now growing up spending less time playing, less time outside, less time with their friends, and more time inside, glued to phones and social media. Play is being squeezed out of their lives, and the consequences for their mental and physical health, and their development, are dire.”

Balmy sunshine bathed our fields on Tuesday afternoon, with lots of children playing in netball, hockey and a sevens rugby tournament; on Wednesday, I was mightily glad to shelter under my brolly as the rain poured down on more netball and another sevens tournament – this time very muddy! So, let’s together at LGS buck the trend away from ball games, understanding the huge benefits of collaborative play and the sheer exhilaration of team-sport, come rain or shine.

The next few weeks see a time of reflection and fasting for many in our community, as Ramadan begins tomorrow, and as we mark the start of Lent with a special Ash Wednesday assembly next week. I wish you well in your own family if you are embarking on either of these journeys.

Best wishes,

John Watson
Headmaster and Principal