This year the PE Department has continued to grow and offer a plethora of opportunities for all. This saw all students take part in inter-house competitions and many getting involved in school fixtures and clubs. Lots also took the opportunity to get involved with local clubs, taster sessions, attend day trips to watch professional athletes and teams as well as a residential sports tour to PSV. We look forward to offering lots of these things again next year so keep an eye on our regular newsletter for more information.

Our sports colours will be launching this coming academic year to ensure the commitment and success of our students is honoured and celebrated. We will be rolling out ‘Sporting Stars’ for each Key Stage and have lots of other exciting events in the planning stages to help fund the sports colours awards, trophies and certificates. If you are interested in supporting the department you will be able to do so by donating via ParentPay. 

We are delighted to announce our Star Awards - Croxley Danes ‘Stars of the month’ goes to the U13 Girls Football team who WON the Three Rivers and Watford Team of the Year for Key Stage 3 to 5 (winning the County U13s Football League Cup). Other award winners were Grace S for coming second as young official of the year and Oyda A for coming third for commitment to school sports. 

This year we have once again been involved in Sports England's ‘Active Lives Survey’ which has supported us in how we deliver activities, allowing us to look at pupils' engagement with sport, activity and games. We have seen a 5% increase in CDS students being active for over 60 minutes a day which is 4% above national expectations. This is great as it supports physical, mental and social well being. 

Summer challenges and events to stay active 

We would love this to continue and always encourage our students to attend an extra-curricular sporting activity. It’s never too late for your child to be involved in any sport. 

Joining local clubs helps build friendships, develop good habits for later in life as well as consolidating learning, supporting students’ social and mental well being. Please see the attached document for information on a range of different clubs to choose from that your child could get involved in. If you would like a local club added to our school clubs link page please email pe@croxleydanes.herts.sch.uk. 

School Achievements 

Congratulations to the following individuals and teams for this year's successes. 

Year 7 Netball - League Winners (unbeaten)

Year 7 Netball - District Tournament Winners (unbeaten)

Year 7 Rounders - District Tournament Winners (unbeaten)

Year 7 Girls Indoor Athletics - District Winners

U13 Girls Football - District Winners (unbeaten)

U13 Girls Football - County Cup Winners (unbeaten)

Year 11 Boys Football - District Division 1 Winners

U14 Girls Athletics - A League County League Finalists (6th in League)

U16 Girls Athletics - A League County League Finalists (7th in League)

U14 Boys Athletics - A League County League Finalists (13th in League)

U16 Boys Athletics - A League County League Finalists (9th in League)

U15 Football - ESFA New Schools National Cup

Year 10 Tennis - District League Winners

Year 10 Basketball - District Division 1 Winners

Seniors Basketball - District Division 1 Winners

Girls' Kwik Cricket Tournament - Year 7 District Winners

There have also been many more notable achievements this academic year, please see our twitter page for more details @CDSPhysEd.

The Autumn sports clubs timetable will follow shortly so please keep an eye out for this over the coming weeks so you can prepare for the start of the year. 

Curriculum 

Autumn term will see our students take part in netball, football, hockey, basketball and cross-country. All groups experience every activity over the term, but this will be on a rota basis to prevent any clashes of teaching spaces. All lessons will follow DFE and Health & Safety guidelines so it is important that pupils have gum shields and shin pads. The weather in the Autumn term can be anything from sunshine to frosty wet mornings so it’s important to alway be prepared (caps/hats, waterproofs and warm layers).

Opportunities in PE 

We love to hear about our students’ sporting achievements outside of school so please do send us a message via the enquiries email address or pe@croxleydanes.herts.sch.uk and similarly complete the Google form of student excellence to let us know! 

Also, for our PE records please complete this Google form that shares the sports/ activities your child is enjoying - this could be at any level - recreational, club, district, county, regional etc).

In the coming weeks we will be looking for budding photographers and journalists to take photos and write match reports. If your child is interested, please let one of the PE team know or email pe@croxleydanes.herts.sch.uk

Whole School Inter-House 

This term Inter-House has taken place during Enrichment Week where years 7, 8 and 9 have been taking part in rounders or cricket as a house to earn valuable house points as the year comes to a close. 

This Friday will see all years take part in a sporting fun day with activities provided by SSG

Years 9 and 10 will be 08:50 - 11:20 and Years 7 and 8 will be 13:10 -15:20.

Lost Property 

Lost property is initially left in a box in the changing rooms and then it is passed on to Mrs Carter in the Medical Room every Monday. As you can imagine, we have a lot of lost property so please ensure that every item is named. 

Extra-curricular PE clubs 

Lunch time clubs run from 12.30pm with students having the opportunity to eat in the second half of their lunch break. If the activity is taking place indoors, footwear must be white trainers or non-marking soles. 

After school clubs run from 15.30 - 16.30pm and students can go home in their PE kit. You will need to ensure you have completed the necessary school consent form allowing your child to attend after school clubs, which will be sent out by the start of the Autumn term. It would be great to see more students at clubs to help not only consolidate their learning but to enjoy the benefits to their general well-being.

As always, we have lots of fixtures this term as per the attached Spring and Summer fixtures schedule. Please be aware these are subject to change and updates will be posted on Twitter @CDSPhysEd 

Spectators at home fixtures

If you wish to attend a fixture at Croxley Danes School, parents should arrive at the school reception for 15:30. You will then be taken to the venue (playing fields, sports hall) as a group by a member of staff. You must remain at the venue until the end of the fixture when the PE staff will escort you back to reception. 

If you arrive before 15:30, you will have to wait for the member of staff to escort you to the fixture. If you arrive after 15:30 you will unfortunately not be allowed to watch and will be denied entry. It is important that this system is followed and respected by all parents as it has been put in place to reduce safeguarding risks to all students that are attending sports fixtures after school. 

For GDPR reasons please only take pictures of your child and refrain from posting on social platforms. 

Fixtures will finish between approximately 17:15-17:30 when playing at CDS and students can go home in their PE kit. If it is an away fixture we always encourage you to call the visiting school as arrangements for visitors  do differ from school to school. You are welcome to collect students from the away fixture but you must be there by 16:45 as staff will leave promptly after a fixture and will not leave students without parental supervision. 

We regularly post our latest sporting results and information on the PE department’s Twitter page so please make sure to follow us on @CDSPhysEd for all the latest updates. Sporting posts are also shared on the school Twitter page @croxleydanes so make sure to follow that also. We’re really excited about the new academic year ahead and we hope you are too!