St Stephen's has been awarded the prestigious School Games Platinum Award for participation and contribution to sport.

The School Games Mark is a Government led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success. 

Every year, schools can apply to be considered for bronze/silver/gold award marks from School Games. The School Games adjudicators, judge each school against stringent criteria, in the areas of sports; participation, competition, staff and clubs, before determining the suitable award level. 

This is no mean feat, as a Platinum Mark is only awarded to a handful of schools nationwide, who have consistently achieved a Gold Mark in previous years and have shown dedication to sport and activity in their region.

We are immensely proud of all our pupils and staff for their continued dedication to all aspects of school sport and exercise. Huge thanks to Danny Cain, our Sports coach for expertly leading our PE and sports provision. 

"This is a tremendous achievement and I am so proud that the high level PE provision at St Stephen's has been recognised. Thanks to Danny Cain for all his hard work," enthused our headteacher, Liz Bachour. 

"There is a very stringent criteria for this award. As well as meeting all of these requirements, we are passionate in supporting the 'sport for all' message at St Stephen's. We want all our children to engage in physical activity and enjoy it, whatever their ability," said our sports coach, Danny Cain. 

Aided and abetted by our lovely Year Six sports day helpers, our youngest athletes ran, threw and jumped so beautifully at this week's EYFS sports day. Thanks so much to the enthusiastic spectators, Mr Cain, the Reception staff team and the smiling competitors. Mrs Flower was trackside and gave us this report: "The sun shone and so did the children. They were fantastic at showcasing all the jumping and co-ordination skills we have learned in our PE and games lessons. It was fantastic to see the journey they have come on since they joined us in September. We are all so proud of them."

Huge congratulations to Year Four's Alana who has won a medal at her first ever judo championship. Alana, who competed in the Core Judo Championships at the ACS International School in Egham, is a regular at Ippon Judo club which takes place here at St Stephen's. 

Showcasing some beautiful judo, Alana battled her way through the knockout stages to the final.  Winning four of her five contests with the maximum score of 'Ippon', she walked away with a very well deserved silver medal.  

Alana was a credit to herself and the Ippon Judo club at St Stephen's and we can't wait to hear about her next competition. 

Ippon Judo club at St Stephen's welcomes recreational and competitive players.  Come and join us for the autumn term.  We train in the main gym hall twice a week -

Tuesday  - Years 1-3 (7:45-8:45)

Thursday - Years 4-6 (7:45-8:45)

Contact Charlotte at info@ipponjudolondon.com for more information or browse our website www.ipponjudolondon.com

Bookings for the Autumn term will open on Tuesday 16th July at 6pm on ParentPay. You can book and pay for a full term or a half term. Sessions booked on a full term basis as non refundable.

If you pay using childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare, please ensure you send your credit to our bank account by Monday 8th July. 

Don't forget to email us at finance@st-stephens.richmond.sch.uk to let us know which child and which sessions you would like your credit allocated to.

Further information will follow next week.