The love of learning is not confined to the classrooms at Meriden. Last Thursday, as I chatted with our Year 3 girls after training with their teams for Saturday sport, their passion shone through. Despite their red faces and tired legs, they were buzzing excitedly. “Soccer is my favourite time of the week, and I can’t wait for Saturday!” one student told me. Her enthusiasm reminded me how our girls flourish when they discover activities that spark their interest.

This weekend marks the beginning of the IPSHA Saturday Sport competition for our Years 3 to 6 girls. While participation isn’t compulsory in the Junior School, we’re delighted to see so many girls choosing to embrace these opportunities. This term, our girls will be participating in Soccer, Flippa Ball and Water polo.

We are particularly excited to see high levels of participation in all year groups this term. This engagement reflects both the excellent support of our parent community and the expertise of our dedicated PDHPE team. Miss Courtney Jordaan (PE Coordinator), Mr Ben Wheen and Miss Belinda Wilsher deliver comprehensive programs for all students from Pre-K through to Year 6, building both physical and social-emotional skills while fostering enthusiasm for sport.

At IPSHA Saturday Sport, we prioritise creating an environment where every girl feels encouraged to participate. Our focus includes developing fundamental sporting skills, fostering teamwork and creating positive experiences that inspire lifelong participation in physical activity.

Research consistently shows that girls who engage in sport experience benefits that reach far beyond physical fitness. Through sport, they build confidence, develop leadership abilities and learn to tackle challenges with determination. These experiences help cultivate resilience and problem-solving skills that serve them well both on and off the field. The natural leadership opportunities in team sports include supporting and encouraging teammates, strategising, and showing resilience when faced with obstacles.

I am grateful to Miss Wilsher (Junior School Sport Coordinator) and Miss Rebecca Dennis (Junior School Sport Assistant) for their outstanding management of teams and fixtures, and to our committed coaches who support the girls at training and during games.

I look forward to seeing our girls play this weekend. Whether they’re feeling excited, nervous, or a mix of both, we know they’ll support each other and represent Meriden with spirit and determination.