Pupils earn prestigious athletics prize

Newham Recorder: St Bonaventure's pupils met GB international Perri Shakes-DraytonSt Bonaventure's pupils met GB international Perri Shakes-Drayton (Image: Archant)

St Bonaventure’s year seven athletes were celebrating before the half-term break after winning the Smmonds Cup.

The invitational competition includes some of the best athletics schools, with many independent and grammar schools taking part.

Some are able to use state-of-the-art facilities, while St Bons hold their PE lessons and training sessions in the senior playground, but the Newham youngsters showed plenty of passion, determination and spirit to claim the silverware.

Curriculum leader for PE Sam Bartlett was rightly proud of his athletes and thinks their success will spur them on to do well in other competitions.

He said: “Schools from all over the London boroughs take part in the Simmonds Cup and our year seven squad pipped Whitgift Independent School from South Croydon to the title.

“Our boys performed exceptionally well in both track and field and they were a credit to our school. They even met up with GB athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton at Mile End Stadium who was happy to pose for a photo with our excited boys.”