St Chris started the first week after half term with a big splash in the first ever Swimming Gala for Year 1.
The children arrived at school dressed for success in their swimming costumes and House t-shirts. The cheering began as soon as they entered the hall to sit in their teams and their faces lit up as they saw their parents at the pool side, which made for a truly electric atmosphere.

Each House was divided into 3 groups who moved around 12 activities. Each activity was designed to show a different water skill, while providing a fun challenge to allow the children to score points for their House. Each group had a teacher tallying the scores and each activity had a Year 6 House Captain cheering them on and helping them throughout. Also, our great team of swim instructors were in the pool to give additional support.
The children scored points at swimming with the frogboard, swimming through the hoop, propelling a ball to shoot in the net and polo goal and swimming with the noodle. Swimmers also had a chance to show off their jumping skills in the deep end of the pool.

It was a fantastic morning with Kestrel winning the Basketball Shoot event, Falcon winning the Motorbike Noodle challenge, Merlin winning the Frogboard Relay, and Osprey scoring the most points in the Water Polo Shoot.
The most anticipated part of the event was the overall scores that determine the winners of the first ever Year 1 Inter-House Swimming Gala Cup! With Mrs Dawson using all her brain power to add up the scores, the final results were:

• 1st place - Falcon
• 2nd place - Osprey
• 3rd place - Kestrel
• 4th place - Merlin

Well done to all the Houses. You were marvelous swimmers! A big thank you also to the Year 6 House Captains and the swimming and classroom teachers. Without you this event could not have been so successful! We look forward to the next one!