Bridgewater School – Prep. Department

This morning, Pep V and VI undertook some first aid training, suggested by our Prep Council.  There have been news reports recently of children who have had first aid training coming to the rescue of friends and family, saving their lives through the training they have been given.  To this end, it was felt that first aid training would be beneficial to our children too.

Under the guidance of our trainer Jodie, we learned how to make sure an area was safe before approaching a casualty.  We learned how to check for breathing, and place a casualty in the recovery position.  To the tune of Baby Shark, we learned to do 30 compressions to 2 breaths, and finally we were able to recognise a choking victim and treat them.  Of course, if we needed help we knew our emergency services number is 999.

This was a fantastic opportunity for our children – this is apparently going to be on the National Curriculum next year, but here at Bridgewater we’re already on the ball and practising early.  Who knows?  Maybe something our children have learned today might help someone in the future.

The third and final of our Prep/EYFS Christmas Shows this year, Cinderella and Rockerfella by Prep III and IV.  We hope you enjoyed it!

A fantastic twist on the Christmas story by Prep I and II.

If you were lucky enough to see the show, you’ll appreciate just how wonderful the children were in their Christmas play Everyone Loves A Baby.  If you were unlucky enough to miss it, we hope you’ll get a flavour from the photographs below.  Enjoy!

The U11 mixed basketball team headed off to Ellesmere Sports Village, Chester this morning, to participate in the ISA North Basketball Tournament. The team had high hopes of going far in the competition but after seeing the draw, knew it was going to be a tough ask to get out of the group stages. Having reached the semi-finals in 2018 and winning the event in 2016 and 2017, there was a great deal of hope and expectation on the team.

In a group with Cleveland’s Prep A, Beech House, Brabyns, St Joseph’s Park Hill and Queen Ethelburga’s, it was going to need a royal performance to secure one of the two places needed to progress into the semi-finals. First up was a game against Brabyn’s Prep from Stockport. After a slow start, Allegra eased Bridgewater nerves with two baskets, followed by one from Eloise and a fabulous three pointer from Jaydon.

In game number two, Bridgewater dominated possession from the tip off against Beech House. The fitness, sharpness and determination were too much for the opponents as Bridgewater ran riot in front of the hoops. Eloise scored seven times, Molly and Jaydon scored two each, whilst David completed a 24-0 win.

Next up was the perpetual rivals Queen Ethelburga’s, with both teams needing a win to put them top of the group. The defending from Matteo and David was outstanding, giving Bridgewater the platform to launch their attacks. In the end, Jaydon scored again, and the impressive Eloise scored a hat-trick to secure an 8-0 victory.

With two games to go, Bridgewater had to find their shots, rebounds and lay ups if they were to overcome Cleveland’s Prep A team. This was a real battle as Cleveland needed a win to qualify for the semi- finals. Alfie, Craig and Thomas provided energy in defence, whilst Matteo was becoming impassable. Chun Ka went close to scoring, but it was a solitary basket from Eloise that gave the team the 2-0 win.

In the final game of the group, Bridgewater took on St Joseph’s Park Hill. With top spot and a semi-final place guaranteed, Bridgewater cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win, courtesy of baskets from Molly and Allegra. The team were yet to concede a single point and were drawing attention from everyone present, including two of the players and the coach from resident professional team, Chester Phoenix.

The semi-final saw Bridgewater go up against Greenbank Prep, who they had beaten two weeks ago in a challenge match. In all fairness, the game was a mismatch, as Bridgewater fired in shots from all over the key. Eloise continued her outstanding form, scoring five times, before Molly and Jaydon confirmed the place in the final. The final was a re-match against Queen Ethelburga’s, who has dispatched Ladybarn in their semi-final.

The final was not the best of games, with nerves getting the better of both teams. Bridgewater edges possession, but the opposition were extremely quick and dangerous on the break. Eloise broke the deadlock to put Bridgewater ahead, but the unthinkable happened moments later… Bridgewater conceded their first basket in seven games and nearly an hour of play. Both teams went for the win and had chances to win it. Fortunately, Jaydon seized the moment and scored a wonderful layup shot with the last attack of the game. The whistle blew seconds later to the delight of the Bridgewater squad, who thoroughly deserved the title. The hard work and dedication of so many youngsters for the last twelve months in preparing for this tournament paid off. Eloise was the top scorer, Matteo the best defender and Jaydon scored the baskets of the day. However, it was a whole team effort, including those who could not make the squad today, as the internal competition for places has surely contributed to this team doing so well. Very well done everyone – a fantastic way to end the year and hopefully we can look forward to more sporting challenges and achievements in 2020.

Our Prep department Christmas plays are upon us, and today, the children in the department were variously treated to dress rehearsal performances from each of the performing year groups.  We have hundreds of photos ready to share with you – but we don’t want to spoil the anticipation before the shows have been performed.  However, here’s a little sneak peek…  If you’ve got your tickets, then you’re in for a treat!

On a glorious cold but sunny Friday morning, the collective Prep VIs spent the morning exploring the Tyldesley Loopline as part of their local history studies.  Who knew Worsley had a railway station?  Who knew that Roe Green was the scene of a great train disaster?  Who knew that Daddies Sauce could be quite so explosive?  Who knew that Wellington boots became a fashion item in Roe Green in February 1926?  After a morning out in the woods, Prep VI now do…