To celebrate the new academic school year, we kicked off our first Saturday back at LWC with The Beckwith Sports Festival. A full day of sporting activities for the entire school community with something for everyone (even our four-legged family members) whilst making the most of our wonderful campus. With a delicious array of food, drink and ice-cream on offer all day, excellent music and the sun shining down on everyone, it was the perfect way to start the new term.
The morning saw The Beckwith make its return after its inaugural launch last year at the start of our Centenary year. Named after Alfred Beckwith, pupil number one, who walked through The Acorn Gates in 1922, the carefully planned c.5k route takes in some of the most breath-taking aspects of our 1200-acre estate. Parents, pupils, Sternians and staff ran or walked the route together. Those who wanted a little more of a challenge, opted to do the route twice – circa 10k! In the scorching heat, everyone, especially the dogs, were ready for the water station greeting them at the end, many opting to run through the sprinkler in the last few metres! Medals and doggy treats were well-earned.
There were some seriously impressive times achieved, including the following highlights:
5k :
Fastest male pupils:
William Brooks – 20.09
Henry Read – 23.01
Fastest female pupils:
Alejandra Thomas – 23.50
Pippa Hodges – 26.03
Ed Firth (Assistant Houseparent and Geography teacher) – 19.08
Adam Williams (Headmaster) – 22.51
10k:
Fastest male pupils:
Nicholas Thomas – 37.56
Gerry Wells-Cole – 46.45
Fastest female pupils:
Phoebe Harris – 1.05.17
Alex Hamilton (Head of Classics) – 37.49
Jack Malden (Assistant Houseparent and Math’s teacher) – 44.07
The afternoon moved seamlessly into Rugby, Football, Netball and Hockey matches seeing Sternians, pupils, parents and staff battle it out on the pitches. Lots of smiles, laughter and points scored despite the blistering heat and some parents having not played their chosen sport in 20+ years! Thank you to all those who took part.
Our aim is for the Beckwith Sports Festival to become an annual event each September to mark the return to school. We hope to see you at the next one in 2024!
