IAPS National Athletics Championships
While Speech Day carried on in the usual dignified fashion, it was quite apt that Mr Winter and Mr Robinson were absent this year. After all, when they were boys, they would’ve done anything to swap speeches for spikes and competition. That spirit lives on—though we’re not sure the Headmaster, Mr Baker, felt quite the same way about their absence.
This year, eight of our finest athletes—true gladiators—travelled to Birmingham’s iconic Alexander Stadium, the very same venue that hosted the Commonwealth Games. To compete in a stadium where their sporting idols once stood was a dream come true for the boys and an experience they’ll never forget.
Philip A was the undisputed star of the show. He not only claimed 2nd place in the Long Jump, but was also crowned National Champion in the High Jump, clearing an astonishing 1.75 metres—a school record and, remarkably, more than his own height. This is a phenomenal achievement, and it’s not far-fetched to say we may be watching a future Olympian in the making. Shotgun tickets to LA, Philip!
Barney G performed superbly in the High Jump, finishing 5th—but it’s worth noting he cleared the same height as the silver medallist, narrowly missing out on the podium on countback. A cruel but impressive result.
Sebastian S took on the challenge of both the 200m sprint and Shot Putt. He qualified for the 200m final, finishing 6th, and displayed incredible strength and determination in the final 25 metres, nearly breaking the school record. His versatility and tenacity across two very different disciplines were hugely impressive.
Arki B, new to the discus this year, made an incredible leap by qualifying for the national final—a major achievement for someone who only picked up the event during games lessons this season. He finished 12th in the country, a sign of great potential.
The relay team gave it their all. While they narrowly missed out on breaking the school record, finishing 4th in their heat, their changeovers were slick, their commitment unshakable, and their decision to represent the school rather than attend Speech Day was a powerful statement in itself.
It was a proud moment to see these young men compete with such passion, resilience, and respect. As we look ahead, we’re already planning to move Speech Day next year to ensure even more of our athletes can participate—and perhaps follow in Philip A’s golden footsteps.
This year has been a remarkable one for swimming, marked by exceptional performances and record-breaking achievements across the board.
The standout swimmer of the year has undoubtedly been Xander Bawden, who followed up his outstanding performance at the national level with an extraordinary sweep of every swimming record in Year 8. His dominance in the pool saw him set new records in freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, and individual medley—a truly unprecedented accomplishment. Xander’s dedication, technique, and competitive spirit have set a new benchmark for excellence in school swimming.
Not to be outdone, Geraint Jones made waves in Year 7, breaking the longstanding record in the freestyle event. His performance signals a promising future and reflects the depth of talent emerging through the younger year groups.
Overall, it has been a year to remember in swimming—one defined by determination, talent, and historic achievements.
After all, as the great quote goes: “One man breaks the barrier, and others follow.”
Let the floodgates open.
Reported by Mr D.Robinson