We love hearing about the boys’ out of school achievements each week and so we would like to introduce Junior Journals. This a way for boys to submit news about their endeavours and successes.
To submit a journal, simply complete this online form.
We look forward to hearing about the boys’ accomplishments soon!
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On Sunday, 23 March, I went to the Sandwell Open Swimming Gala, in the Commonwealth Games 50m pool. This was my first open gala because I’m only just old enough to enter. I won gold in three events, and silver in two others! I also set four club records for my age group for Leamington Swimming Club. I had a great day out, and I’m looking forward to my next gala!
By Theo 4P
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This week, I want to tell you something I’m really proud of. After loads of practice and hard work on the piano, I’ve finally passed my Grade 1 piano exam!
Learning the piano hasn’t been easy for me. Sight-reading was super tricky, and practising on my own sometimes felt a bit boring. There were times when I got really annoyed and wanted to quit. But I didn’t give up, and now I feel so proud to have reached this goal.
Even though it was tough, getting my Grade 1 certificate shows how much better I’ve got. It’s the first piano certificate I’ve ever earned, and it makes me excited to keep going and learn even more cool stuff.
I think that with patience and practice, anyone can do awesome things, just like I did with piano. So if you’re finding something hard, don’t give up—keep trying!
By David 4GH
At the weekend, I competed in the West Midlands Regional Trampolining Qualifier One at North Solihull Sports Centre with my club - Central Galaxy Coventry Trampolining Club.
This is the first of two competitions against other boys from all over the region. With the top two boys over both qualifiers going through to represent the West Midlands later in the year, at the Inter Regional Challenge Cup Final.
I did two fantastic routines and placed second, taking the silver medal. This put me in a good position going into the second qualifier in March, and having a good chance of making the West Midlands team!
Trampolining is so exciting and fun - give it a go!
By George 4P
I really enjoy fishing, I often go with my dad to the River Blythe where we catch trout, pike and chub. I have my own travel fishing rod to take with me on my holidays and we catch lots of different of fish.
There is a big problem with fishing, it all starts with pollution in the rivers. The pollution is killing the fish and stopping the baby fish from being born. The pollution comes from dirty sewerage and chemicals from farmers fields. Litter is also a massive problem!
If we don’t do something quickly to help the rivers there will be no fish or fishing for us!
If you are interested in helping, you can register with the River Severn trust. I will be doing this with my Dad over the summer!
By James 3BA
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On Sunday, 1 December, I held a small stall at my house with homemade mince pies and other Christmas treats. I exchanged them for wrapped gifts and donations that will be delivered to local children and families that find Christmas time difficult.
I was completely blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm from the people in my village. We collected over 25 wrapped gifts and £30 in donations - which will all go to making a happier and brighter Christmas for local families with the help of Shipston Community Christmas who are going to help me distribute the presents.
By Harrison-James 6RS
Over half-term, I decided that I would like to raise some money for charity. I went down to my local church with a poster and pitch I had prepared and asked James the Pastor, if I could put on a charity cake sale after Church service on Sunday. I explained the charities I would like to support were The Royal British Legion, Pangolin Crisis Fund (as this is Aqua House's chosen charity) The National Trust and The Birmingham Hospice. The church kindly agreed and displayed my poster!
I decide to make different flavoured cupcakes; lemon drizzle cakes, chocolate cakes, Victoria sponge butterfly cakes and vanilla cakes. There were also some kind donations from the congregation.
My sister Isabella, and her friend Sophie, also had a homemade craft stall. They spent their half term making hair bands, earrings and various other crafts to sell.
It was amazing, we sold around 70 cakes and crafts, and managed to raise £200, so each of the charities would get £50 each! In order to pull this off I needed to use perseverance, resilience, teamwork and great baking skills!
I am very happy with how it all worked out and I would love to do something like this again!
By Jasper 5W
Over half term my family and I went to the Lake District. We did lots of walking but my favourite was The Fairfield Horseshoe - a 17km classic walk with over 1100 metres of ascent that bags a total of 8 Wainwrights. We started at Ambleside went around the complete Fairfield Horseshoe anti-clockwise ending up in the Badger Bar in Rydal. (too early for the badgers!)
The walk was a super fun mix of good hiking and a few scrambles. The weather was great until about 656m when we reached High Pike and the fog came down until under Fairfield itself. The dogs had little frost eyebrows! We then went back down into sunshine! I cannot wait to add more Wainwrights to my list!
By Sam 6C
On Saturday, 7 September I woke up to find some traffic cones on the street outside. Cycling’s ‘Tour of Britain’ was coming right past our house! At about 11:30 in the morning a stream of police cars and bikes with their blue lights flashing and horns blasting came past, followed by Team cars loaded with bikes on top. There were at least 100 vehicles. Shortly afterwards the lead group of 3 cyclists came whizzing past in a breakaway group - they had taken the lead in the first 15 minutes.
Two minutes later the main group (the Peleton) came speeding by in a much bigger group trying to catch them. For me watching it was over, often in blurry flashes, in about 5 exciting minutes. I watched the rest of the stage on TV and it was great to see them cycling at high speed on the roads near our home in Northamptonshire.
The stage lasted about 4 hours; unfortunately the lead group was caught in the last few seconds, but they had tried really hard.
Tomorrow I plan to get on my bike.
By Inigo 6RS
I liked watching the Olympic Games in Paris during the holidays, but did you know that there’s a special kind of Olympics that started in a small town in Shropshire called Much Wenlock? The games are called the Wenlock Olympian Games, and they have a really interesting history! I found out about them after taking part in the Fencing competition this year.
How It All Began
In 1850, Dr William Penny Brookes lived in Much Wenlock and thought that playing sports was important to stay healthy. He thought that it would be a good idea to organise sports competitions where people could run, jump and play games. He invented the Wenlock Olympian Games. The first Wenlock Olympian Games were in October 1850. People came from all around the area to do sports like running, jumping and even some funny ones like wheelbarrow races and pig catching!
A Big Idea
The Wenlock Olympian Games became very popular and soon people from all over England started to join in. A Frenchman called Pierre de Coubertin came to the games and thought that they were amazing. He had the idea to create a bigger version of the games where athletes from all over the world could take part. This was the beginning of the modern Olympic Games!
The Games Today
Even though the modern Olympics are held in huge cities, the Wenlock Olympian Games are still held every year in Much Wenlock. All ages can come and take part in lots of sports from athletics to cycling or fencing like I did. There are also fun events like tug of war. In 2012 the Olympic Games were held in London. The organisers wanted to celebrate Much Wenlock’s connection to the Olympics. They named one of the mascots “Wenlock” after the town.
Why It Matters?
The Wenlock Olympian Games show us a great idea can grow into something that inspires people all over the world. Dr Brookes believed that everyone should be able to enjoy sports and stay healthy, which is still important today. So if you like running, jumping or just having fun, the Wenlock Olympic Games bring people together to play and be active. Maybe one day you could take part and who knows, even make it to the modern Olympics!
By Arjan 4W
