Millfield Prep hosts Commonwealth Games Day for 250 local children

Millfield Prep School hosted 250 pupils from six local primary schools for their first ever Commonwealth Games Day on Friday.

The pupils in Years 3 and 4 had the chance to compete in two different sports sessions and meet 2022 Commonwealth Games gold and silver medals winner in swimming Brodie Williams and bronze medal winner in hockey Stuart Rushmere, both former Millfield pupils.

They collected signatures from the two sporting heroes, proudly wearing their medals, alongside former Commonwealth Games athletes and Millfield Prep staff Helen Gouldby (swimming), Menna Close (Gymnastics) and Denise Bodman (Hockey) and current Lower Sixth student Jade Phiri who represented Zambia this year in the pool at the age of only 16.

The children attended from Kingsbury, West Pennard, Crosscombe and Stoke, Chewton Mendip, High Ham and Keinton Mandeville Primary Schools.

The event was aimed at building on the wave of excitement around sport in young people that was created by the games in Birmingham this summer.

The pupils enjoyed Millfield Prep’s extensive range of sporting facilities and coaches put on Commonwealth Games themed activities for the children to enjoy, including fencing, laser run and trampolining, enabling the children to try out sports that they otherwise wouldn’t get a chance to experience.

Anna Whitefield, teacher at Kingsbury Episcopi said: “I was a commonwealth collective, so we talked to the children about the games before the summer, so it’s been so nice to follow up after with this and to meet some medallists, and try out some different sports. It’s great for the children to see that people can come to school, practice a sport and then go on to represent Team GB. They’ve got to try trampolining and fencing, and it’s nice for them to see that there are facilities like this that they can aspire to come to, it opens up their eyes.”

Evie, from Chewton Mendip Church of England School, aged 8, said "I really liked it! I loved squash; it was my first time playing and it was so fun bouncing the ball and hitting it up against the wall. I really enjoyed it and would love to come again.”

Tess, aged 8, said “ I got to try out hockey and rugby! I’ve never done rugby before, but I thought it was quite a nice sport, it’s really funny and cool! I do love hockey though, it’s my favourite sport. I got to meet Stuart with his bronze medal!”

The children delighted in being able to get a closer look at the medals and pose for pictures with their sporting heroes. They also received a medal each for taking part and ice creams.

Millfield had 24 athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer, which comprised of 18 former students and 6 current students and staff. Millfield coaches Jenna Adamson and Euan Dale, who both represented their respective countries at the games, were also present at the event to sign autographs.

Millfield Prep offers its pupils a broad, balanced sports programme which is tailored to each individual and prepares children for a lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity. Their comprehensive programme of physical and creative activities encourages pupils to try something new and develop their talents.