By Paul Thompson, head of PE

PARTICIPATION and involvement are keys words throughout life at Towneley High School.

With an extensive extra-curricular programme, inter-form and inter-year competitions, charity and fund raising events as well as an annual ski holiday to Samoens, France, the physical education department plays a major part in encouraging all of our students to get involved.

The year's PE fund-raising events started well with more than £3,000 being raised by students participating in the annual fun run. With over 90 per cent of the school involved, this was a record breaking year with Andrew Webster, Clare Ward and Craig Pollitt winning prizes for raising the most money as individuals.

The GCSE physical education course goes from strength to strength, providing students with the opportunity to earn a qualification doing something they really enjoy.

We have seen particularly high standards in the practical element of the course with many students gaining maximum marks in a variety of activities.

Ashley Coyle and Elizabeth Durkin two of the many to achieve it in trampolining, Jemma Clarke in swimming, Laura Dobson and Laura Hitchen in football, Charlotte Jones in horse riding, Gemma Smith in netball and Dale Brooks in basketball. The list goes on.

Extra curricular activities are varied and well supported throughout the school. All are welcome to attend, regardless of ability and everyone is encouraged to have a go.

We have enjoyed a great deal of success in a variety of sports, most recently doing extremely well in the district gymnastics floor competition.

Catherine Taylor won the gold medal in the level three individual event with Lynda Preston getting the silver. Our A team (Joanne Illingworth, Stephanie Peddar, Kimberley Sumner and Jamie Hey) won the level one event and Joanne Illingworth took the gold medal at this level.

In soccer we have several boys and girls who have represented the town in their age range, including Andrew Haslam, Stephen Wilson, Jonathon O'Brien and Mark Fildes.

Last year we were winners in both the boys and girls Wagon Wheels Year Seven five-a-side regional competition, going on to take part in the North West finals. All teams compete in the district competitions with some degree of success and a great deal of enthusiasm!

Of particular note is the present Year 11 netball squad who have won the district competition every year so far and are on course to do it again, being unbeaten this year.

This will make it five years on the trot! The year eight teams have also done very well, losing only one game and coming runners-up in the district league.

Other activities run by the department include basketball, futsal, hockey, rounders, cricket and athletics and we have our share of success in them all.

Thanks go to all of the staff who give up their time to help.

Our over-riding aim at all times is to open all activities to all students for enjoyment, socialising and the opportunity to excel.

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