It’s enough of an achievement to win medals in a national schools sports event, but to do it twice, in two days, at opposite ends of the country is near-miraculous! The PE departments in the senior school and at JAPS are celebrating winning gold medals in national awards.

In the English Schools Cross Country Championships in Northumberland on Saturday 26 March 2011 our Intermediate team came first, and are the National Champions. Our Junior team came 5th. The teams hot-footed it back to London to take part in the National Schools Biathlon Championships at Crystal Palace on Sunday 27 March 2011.

In the Biathlon the Year 10 team came second overall in 100m swim and 1000m run. Breagha Campbell and Natasha Sinha won their individual competitions, so are National Champions. Our Year 5 team came 1st overall in the team competition and are therefore National Champions! Our Year 8 team won 5th place nationally. Our Year 10 team won 2nd place nationally. Many congratulations to everyone who represented JAGS so brilliantly - our wonderful sporting heroes:

Intermediate team: Grace de Rome, Natasha Sinha, Georgie Hay, Fiona Basham, Ashleigh Campbell, Eleanor Evans (age 14/15) English Schools Cross Country Champions (2.7k)

Junior team: Victoria Picken, Hannah Webb, Breagha Campbell, Isabella Barber, Phoebe Campbell, Catriona McSorley (age 12/13) 5th place in English Schools Cross Country Championships (2.1k)

Breagha Campbell (age 12): National Schools Biathlon Champion. Best 50m swim + 500m run)

Natasha Sinha (age 14) National Schools Biathlon Champion. Best 100m swim + 1000m run.

Year 5 team: (age 9/10) Kaylee Southward, Zita Collier and Sophie Milburn) National Schools Biathlon Champions. Best 50m swim + 500m run.

Year 8 team: Victoria Picken, Matilda Craddock + Sophie Noton

Year 10 team:  Grace de Rome, Sophie Parkes + Ellie Mirchandani

Natasha Sinha: “It was harder than I thought. None of us had trained on this kind of ground and it was stony. But it was exciting to be at Hogwarts!  (Alnwick Castle was used in the 1st Harry Potter film). I didn’t get back until 11.30pm and then the clocks went back! I had to get up the next day for an early start at Crystal Palace. My legs ached – it was just tiring.”

Grace de Rome: “Three of us met the X factor contestants who were staying at our hotel! That was pretty cool! It was quite a hilly run, even in spikes, and I got a stitch. My legs were tired the next day.”
Breagha Campbell: “I was surprised that it was so short and fast. I heard my mum shouting for me! Travelling back was tiring and I was really hungry, but I made my favourite meal of noodles and chicken. I got two personal bests in my run and my swim at Crystal Palace so I was really happy.

Please click here for photos