From Archery to Ballet: St Cuthbert's Students Try New Sports

From bulls-eyes to plies, Newcastle youngsters had the opportunity to test their skills across a series of novel sporting challenges, which included archery and ballet.

The children from St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary in Walbottle enjoyed tasters of five different activities, with handball, cricket, and tennis making up the remaining three.

The Sports Experience Days were led by specialists in each discipline, with Anthony Dowson from Shape Performance introducing pupils from Key Stages 1 and 2 to handball, archery, and tennis; while Cricket Development Coach Daniel Ramsay from Northumberland Cricket Board taught them his sport; and Rachel Ward from Newcastle PE & School Sports Service put budding ballet dancers from Reception to year 6 through their paces.

“The children developed and used their fundamental skills to tasks specific to the sport,” explained Sarah Walsh, Deputy Headteacher at St Cuthbert’s, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust. “They then applied those skills to an adapted game or dance appropriate for their age.

“The children got the opportunity to work as a team and as an individual, developing their skills, and exposing them to a range of sports and fitness opportunities.”

It was the first time the school had run the experience days, which were organised by Year 2 Teacher and PE Lead Scott McMaster.

“Events like these are incredibly important for providing children with opportunities to experience new sports,” added Mrs Walsh. “Children may discover a new passion or hobby.

“These events have given the children the opportunity to meet experts in each of the sports, and exposed them to sports they may not have access to, such as ballet, handball, and archery.

“Participation in these days has allowed the children to have more time outside, moving and learning with their friends, which we know has positive benefits.”