GDST Sport Relief Challenge – Pole 2 Pole

#GDSTWorldChangers

#GDSTforSportRelief

In 2018, we put it to all GDST schools to join forces (or miles) to run the world – together we clocked up 24,955 miles to confirm that GDST girls do, in fact, run the world. #GDSTgirlsruntheworld. In addition, we raised a significant amount of money for Sport Relief.

This year, I proposed that all schools unite as a GDST family for Sport Relief 2020 and go Pole to Pole, following the route Mr Pickering selected. We had a fantastic response with all 25 schools, plus the Trust Office, getting involved. In 2018, we covered the route on the ground. This time, we intended to cover the distance as it is – over sea and land!

Mrs Pattison started our journey from the North Pole during a senior school assembly in front of a packed hall. After asking her if she was up for the challenge, she stood up, took off her gown, strapped herself into the Concept 2, and started rowing on the stage.

Shortly after, I had the pleasure of launching the Sport Relief assembly to the Junior School. The room was filled with enthusiasm and energy. They particularly enjoyed it when Mr Wilks was asked to come on stage to match Mrs Pattison’s distance. He did – but I won’t tell you who did it in the fastest time as it wasn’t a race! It was all about covering the distance. It was quite evident that all the students were keen and raring to go – it was Game On!

In both assemblies, students and staff were surprised and ecstatic to receive messages of support from both Dina Asher-Smith and Usain Bolt. Their words and interest in our challenge motivated us all; it was time to get moving.

Everyone rose to the challenge, they ran and walked during lessons, before and after school, and during form time. The lengths were swum in the pool and those that didn’t fancy getting wet rowed in the fitness suite, clocking up the distance for our section of the route.

On Sport Relief day, the whole school had a sport-themed mufti day. At lunch, we were treated to the staff rowing and sprinting in the sports hall. We had a row-off between Mrs Webb and Mrs Bradshaw. In addition, the maths department had their own little competition. Sprinting saw a variety of staff competing against each other and concluded with a staff team versus a pupil select team. No guesses who won – unlucky this time, staff. They were up against some of our Trust winning relay team, though!

In the afternoon, we invited parents into school to run / walk the set course with their children to help support the event. Several people signed up and plenty more turned up on the day! Due to the number of people, start times were staggered. Once everyone got going, kilometres were clocked up rapidly. It was absolutely fantastic to see so many people joining in and supporting their daughters, school, and event. You can see some of the highlights from the day here.

To date, we have raised £5765.74 (including Gift Aid) through donations and 3 schools’ contributions. It is hoped that this amount will increase quite significantly once all schools have included their monies raised. Thank you to all those people who have already kindly donated to our fundraising page and for the lovely messages. You can still support and donate here.

In light of everything that is going on in the world, it was a truly fantastic week, with so many people working together around the country to raise money for this worthy charity. Our thanks go out to all those who have supported the event.

Stay healthy and keep walking,

Mrs Sue Beck

Head of Upper School & P.E. Department