Sport and Physical Education are clearly critical elements of any child's education. At Cargilfield we have an active programme of over 15 sports, with opportunities for children to experience other sports outside the school. No matter your child's ability, our goal is to find a sport or physical activity which they enjoy.
Sport and Physical Education at Cargilfield.
Emil Zatopek, one of the greatest Olympians of all times, said that we must all have dreams when it comes to sport and this applies to every individual whether they are very good at sport or very average. Sport should be enjoyed by all, and at Cargilfield it is. Whether it is a pupil striving for regional honours or one coming to terms with a new skill for the very first time, we provide the opportunities, the facilities, the coaching and the impetus to make this happen.
We try to make sure that, every year, each Cargilfield child will put on a Cargilfield team jersey at some stage; this is not easy to do but we try our very best and this team ethos is right across the board. The main team sports at Cargilfield are rugby, hockey, cricket and football for the boys; hockey, netball and rounders for the girls. Both boys and girls play tennis and take part in athletics and cross country.
We have a whole host of other sports in which boys and girls can both take part and develop particular talents to reach a very high level: fencing, shooting, judo, badminton, basketball, skiing, archery, climbing, to name just a few.
All boys and girls in the Upper School (from the age of 7 1/2) are coached sport 5 days a week and they can also play games during the very long 45 minute break and in the evening. P2 and P3 boys and girls may choose a games option during the week on three of the afternoons and P1, P2, P3 and classes in the Upper School all have PE classes during the week.
Success on the games field gives a great deal of joy and fulfilment but whether Cargilfield boys and girls are representing their country, their county or their school, they always display an unfailing spirit and commitment to hard work and this can be seen in the 1st XV and the U9 B team or those representing a team for the very first time. To learn to win and to lose is very much a part of our education and we certainly expect Cargilfield boys and girls to win with a great deal of grace – yes and a lot of laughter and excitement as well – and to lose with their heads held up high; we expect them to be good hosts and good visitors.
Recent successes
During the last 18 months, Cargilfield teams have won tournaments in netball, rugby, cricket, hockey, fencing and football; the highlight of these tournament victories has been the success of the boys at the National UK Hockey Championships held down at Clifton College where we have been silver medallists, gold medallists and bronze medallists in the last 3 years.
There has been a tremendous amount of success in fencing, judo and climbing during the last 3 years: Justine Lambert won the British U12 Epée championships down at Stoke; boys and girls have won medals in local and regional fencing competitions throughout the last few years.
