Sport

Super Swimming Success at Counties for Penpol Swimmers

17th February 2025 by Nic Stanlake

Over the past few weekends, some of our talented swimmers have been competing for their club teams at the County Finals—and it’s safe to say they did incredibly well, bringing home a host of medals!

Congratulations to all involved, but a special mention must go to Florence, who not only collected an astonishing 13 gold medals but also earned more points for her team than any other swimmer, securing a special medal in recognition of her achievement.

These are medals and memories that our pupils will cherish forever—well done, everyone!

Footballers represent Penpol at Penwith Festival

12th February 20255th February 2025 by Nic Stanlake

17 of our talented Year 5 and 6 pupils made their way to Mounts Bay Academy to take part in a football festival against 7 other schools. A mixed bag of results but all children returned home with smiles on their faces. These festivals are not about winning they are simply about providing the opportunity for young football fanatics to get out on the pitch and get involved! The boys did exceptionally well and certainly played the game with the right values- the Penpol values of respect, friendship, creativity and integrity!

Festive Fun: Penpol Panthers’ Santa Run

16th January 202511th December 2024 by Michael Pearson

The Penpol Panthers Bring Holiday Cheer with Their First Santa Run!

The holiday spirit was alive and kicking as the Penpol Panthers hosted their very first Santa Run on December 10th. This festive event saw students, staff, and parents donning Santa hats and reindeer antlers, as a blur of red and white soared through the streets of Hayle.

The Santa Run, which the school plans to make an annual tradition, combines the joy of the season with a love of running. Organised by the school’s running club, the Penpol Panthers, this inaugural event was a smashing success. Over 50 participants laced up their trainers to take part in the spirited dash down to the King George V Memorial Walk.

The Panthers ran a distance according to their ability, ensuring that everyone—from seasoned runners to casual joggers—could join in the festivities.

“It’s amazing to see everyone come together for such a fun event,” said club leader Mr. Pearson. “The Santa Run isn’t just about running; it’s about building community, staying active, and spreading a little holiday magic. We can’t wait to do it again next year!”

The event was made even more joyous with many a well-known Christmas song booming from Mr Stanlake’s boombox-backpack!

Here’s to a successful first Santa Run and to the Penpol Panthers for making this holiday season unforgettable! We can’t wait to see what next year brings.

Year 5 and 6 Pupils Shine in High Performance Program

15th January 202527th November 2024 by Nic Stanlake

Last week, some of our most talented sportspeople from Year 5 and 6 were invited to attend a strength and conditioning session at a local CrossFit gym. These pupils were selected to take part in the Penwith PE Cluster High Performance Program, an initiative recognizing their exceptional achievements in their chosen sports both within and outside of school.

The group included a diverse mix of athletes—from swimmers to runners, footballers to golfers. During the session, they learned not only how to improve their physical strength but also about the importance of maintaining a healthy body to handle the physical demands of their sports.

A huge well done to all participants for representing our school with such dedication and enthusiasm! 💪🏅

Year 6 Sports Festival Fun

24th October 202423rd October 2024 by Bethany Waters

Today, 12 pupils from Year 6 participated in a sports festival hosted at Mounts Bay Academy. They split off in to two teams and challenged other schools in both Dodgeball and Bench Ball! Fun was had by all and smiles were worn throughout! A special thank you to Mounts Bay for hosting and to the other schools for some great competition!

Staff 8 – 6 Students

21st August 202425th July 2024 by Nic Stanlake

As is Penpol tradition, the departing Year 6 children had the opportunity to have the last word and take home The Pollard Cup. Unfortunately no one told the teachers. The final score finishing at 8-6 in favour of the more experienced side meant the Pollard cup will remain in the hands of the Penpol Staff team for another year.

The score never does the match justice with it being played in wonderful spirits with many wonderful goals scored. The children should be ex optionally proud of how they performed but it is the teachers who remain undefeated.

Teachers goals were shared out between Mr Emery, Mr Stanlake and Miss Burlington as well as Nay and Mr Curnow on their final day before they depart to pastures new.

Children’s goals were scored by Isaac B, Isaac L, Alfie and Bobby.

Penpol win the Mayor’s Cup

15th January 20253rd July 2024 by Nic Stanlake

Last week the Penpol School boys football team continued their success at the Mayor’s Cup; making it 3 wins in 3 years.

The boys played wonderfully, winning league games against Connor Downs, St Piran’s, Bodriggy and fighting back to draw with St Erth conceding only 2 goals on their way to the final.

They spent most of the first half on the back foot with Bodriggy enjoying most of the possession with Penpol captain, Isaac, having to come off injured in his last game for the school team. Also missing the game through injury was Alfie, whose team talk at half time turned the tide.

The game however, ended 0-0 and headed to the dreaded penalty shootout and I tell you what, Gareth Southgate and the England team should take note as both teams scored some excellent penalties. Unfortunately for Bodriggy, they went on to miss in sudden death. Up stepped Nicholas, the 3rd Year 6 pupil in the team making his last appearance, to confidently thrash home the winner- cue the celebrations.

Thank you to all at Hayle Football Club for the event and special thanks to Mayor June Lawrenson-Reid for hosting the event. The teams all played brilliantly, especially Bodriggy who would also have been worthy winners.

Penpol Panthers

27th March 202427th March 2024 by Michael Pearson

That’s a wrap on the 2023-24 Cross Country season…

What an exciting and incredibly successful first season for the Penpol Panthers running club! The club has grown in numbers and enthusiasm since September, with runners enjoying weekly club sessions – come rain or shine!

Throughout the year, pupils have grown in resilience and built supportive friendships with their fellow Panthers as they’ve honed their technique through fun running games, endured the infamous bleep test and prepared for some arduous races.

The new club name and logo were designed with creative input from some of our own club members and earlier this month, we were very grateful to receive some very smart running vests. A massive thank you to the PFA for funding the purchase of the vests and to Exhibit 1 Clothing for printing them.

We have had over 35 different pupils from KS2 join our club sessions and represent the school at district and country races. A massive congratulations to every runner who has taken part this year!

It would be remiss of me not to mention some of our more decorated Penpol Panthers.

In their respective Penwith District school race meets, Niyah (Year 3) placed 3^rd, 1^st, 1^st & 2^nd; Fred (Year 4) placed 1^st, 1^st, 1^st & 1^st; Atia (Year 5) placed 1^st, 1^st, 1^st& 1^st; Theo (Year 5) placed 1^st, 4^th, 4^th & 7^th.

What’s more, in the county finals Niyah finished 3^rd overall, Fred placed 1^st and Atia came in at 2^nd. Such a incredible achievements from these young athletes!

Finally, a big shout out and massive thank you to all of the parent support we’ve had this year – not least of all Ahsan for volunteering at both the club sessions and races across the season.

We look forward to another joyous cross country season beginning in September 2024!

Penpol Win the Treble!

24th June 2023 by Nic Stanlake

The Penpol School Boys Football team have followed up their successes in the Leading Edge Academy Trust Cup and The Penwith Schools District Cup with victory in the Hayle Mayor’s Cup.

After competing with local Hayle Schools the team made up on only Year 6 pupils sat a top the table and headed to the final. On their way to the final they were in red got form scoring over 20 goals in 5 games and conceding none.

They met local rivals Bodirggy again in the final after defeating them 1-0 in the round robin. The score was slightly different this time round with them wrapping the trophy up in style with an 8-0 victory. The final victory ensured they have been undefeated all season whilst more impressively not conceding a goal.

Their quality of their play was receiving applause and congratulations from spectating parents, teachers and players from other schools which is testament to the way they have gone about their football this year.

Hopefully their red hot form turns ice cold when they face off against the Penpol Staff in two weeks time.

Thank you to the Hayle Mayor and all at Hayle FC for an excellent afternoon.

Year 5 Find Their Way Around Orienteering

1st June 202330th April 2023 by Nic Stanlake

Over recent weeks Year 5 have been learning how to orienteer. Some may say a dying skill with the maps we now have readily available on smart phones and watches but a valuable one none the less. We have been ;earning how to read a compass, grid references and also, most importantly, a map and its symbols.

Through PE we have had the opportunity to practice these geographic skills by racing around our school site to find the permanent control points. The children have loved the element of competition with their peers as well as the freedom to explore the school site.

The culmination of our block of orienteering was a day in the woods. We headed to Tehidy Country Park with our maps in hand and set to work on finding the control points set out around the 250 acre site (we didn’t cover it all though) The children had great fun zipping and zooming around in the hunt of the control points in small groups with their adults struggling to keep pace (no names mentioned!) hence the lack of orienteering photos.

After a well deserved lunch the children set to work building dens; here they had the opportunity to put their first school skills learnt back at Penpol into action with a plethora of different branches and trees to choose from.

In addition to den building we also out the children’s trust and communication skills to the test with a very carefully constructed ‘blind trail’. This consists of a partner leading their blindfolded partner through a boggy wooded section of Tehidy with only a guideline and their voice. Without clear instruction there was a risk of bumped heads on overhanging branches; soggy bottoms from the muddy sections and wet feet from the river crossing.

THE JELLY FRIENDS American blog

A FIERY VISIT: FIREFIGHTERS BRING SAFETY AND FUN TO PENPOL SCHOOL!

“Penpol pupils are curious, creative and courageous learners. Our school community believes in authenticity as the foundations of deep-rooted learning. Through our rich and relevant curriculum, we nurture community-minded, forward-facing international citizens of the future.”