Uplands Athletes make their MARK at Ouse Valley event

On Tuesday 17 June, fifty-one of our talented students made the much-anticipated annual trip to Withdean Stadium in Brighton for a district athletics competition. The event brought together six schools; Uplands Academy, Beacon Academy, Chailey, Uckfield Community College, Heathfield Community College, and Priory School to compete in a full range of track and field events, including the 100m, 200m, 300/400m, 800m, 1500m, relays, high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot putt, javelin, and discus.

In preparation for the day, students have regularly been attending an after-school Athletics Club on Wednesdays, which will continue through to the end of Term 6. In addition, students have been training during curriculum time in athletics lessons. Thanks to their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm we were thrilled to be able to enter a full team for each year group with students from Year 7 through to Year 10 proudly representing our school across all disciplines. Our students represented the school with pride and consistently embodied some of our MARK values throughout the day:

• Motivation – Cheering teammates on from the sidelines and lifting each other’s spirits throughout the competition.
• Acceptance – Embracing every performance with positivity, and supporting one another through both triumphs and setbacks.
• Respect – Displaying sportsmanship towards all competitors and officials, celebrating victories with humility and learning from defeats.
• Kindness – Sharing in the experience and exemplifying a strong sense of team spirit across all events.

Standout Performances

The level of competition was extremely high, and we witnessed some outstanding performances from all schools involved. We are especially proud to celebrate several standout athletes from our team:

• Sebby (Year 10) produced two showstopping performances. He stormed to victory in the 400m, turning heads with his sustained speed and power, and later dominated the 100m sprint, showcasing incredible acceleration and technique.
• Daniel (Year 9) continued his fine form from earlier competitions, securing double gold in the 100m and 200m. Daniel’s explosive start and smooth sprinting technique made him untouchable in both races.
• Sienna (Year 9) followed up her earlier success at Priory with a commanding win in the 200m. Her powerful surge around the bend and strong finish down the straight left no doubt about her dominance in the event.
• Sophia (Year 8) stepped up to the challenge of the 300m and delivered a remarkable performance. Usually a 200m runner, she put everything into her performance and was overjoyed with victory against a tough field of opposition.

Team Effort

Beyond the winners, there were many other fantastic performances, with several students finishing a close second or achieving new personal bests. Every member of the team contributed to the success of the day through their attitude, effort, and support for one another.

We are incredibly proud of every student who took part and represented our school with such commitment and sportsmanship. The PE team is already looking forward to next year’s competition, where we hope to see familiar faces return and new athletes rise to the occasion.

Special Thanks

A huge thank you goes to Mrs. Lord, Mr. Stidder, Miss. Buckley, Mr. Allen, and Miss. Bull for their outstanding support on the day. From organising students for events, to leading specific disciplines like the high jump, your efforts were vital to the smooth running of our team.

Keep the Momentum Going!

Athletics Club will continue to run until the end of Term 6. We encourage all students to get involved, whether you’re aiming to compete next year or just looking to improve your fitness and technique. Come along, give it a go, and you could be part of the next generation of champions!