Sport
Extra Curricular
A love of sport
Boys are able to experience a wide variety of sports in their time at Durston House. They benefit from the teaching and coaching of three full-time specialist PE teachers during their lessons, and at Games, where the specialists are supported by other teachers and sports assistants. Through structured and planned sporting activities, inter-House competitions, fixtures and other inter-school tournaments, the capability of all boys in respective sports improves year on year.
We are fortunate to have two playing fields! Swyncombe has a cricket square, nets, multi-use games area (MUGA), grass pitches and a pavilion. Castlebar has grass pitches, tennis courts, a long jump, play equipment and a pavilion.
2
Not one but two playing fields.
As a leading Prep School, we proudly offer boys extensive exposure to the traditional sports of Football, Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Over the course of the year, boys have the opportunity to participate and develop skills in these sports, as well as those in Basketball, Hockey, Tennis, Cross Country, Handball, Table Tennis, and Badminton. Not only are boys given the opportunity to develop their skill level, but fitness is promoted and closely monitored each year through lessons on Health and Fitness.
“Durston House has really helped our son develop his academic, social and inter-personal skills. He thoroughly enjoys the complementary curriculum activities on offer, which focus on further growth of his body, mind and soul.”
—Parent
All boys are capable of achieving a basic skill level, and complete each year with greater knowledge and ability than the year before, whether that is being able to dribble a ball successfully, rallying for a longer period with a partner, or developing the correct technique when tackling on the Rugby field. Through the varied programme of sports available to a boy, we hope there is always at least one sport that captures his interest and leads him to explore it further, outside school, or when he has left us, at Senior School and beyond.
-
Sports Day
Throughout the Summer Term, Athletics is a focus in PE and Games sessions. Whether a boy is 5 or 13, he gets to don his running shoes and put his skills to the test. Time is spent training, running, jumping and throwing, in preparation for our annual Sports Day. This is an important occasion in the school calendar, bringing boys, staff and parents together to celebrate the boys’ effort and persistence in displaying their talents.
In June each year, boys in Middle and Upper School spend Sports Day at Perivale Athletics Track, in inter-House athletics competition, both on the track and in the field. Boys take part in a number of events, which they would have chosen previously. They run in anything from a sprint race to long distance, or compete in anything from the javelin throw to the triple jump. After a break for picnic lunch, finals are held, and the four Houses and a large number of parents cheer on the competition. At the end of the day, the results are tabled and the winning House is announced, to much excitement. Individual winners are awarded their cups or medals at a special assembly the following week. The winning House Captain receives the Sports Day Cup at Prize Day. Though we celebrate success, it is not all about those who win, as Sports Day offers every boy the opportunity to participate, to try his hardest at something that might be new to him, putting his temperament and skills to the test. Generous applause is given to every competitor on Sports Day.
Not to be outdone, Pre-Prep and Junior School boys have their own Sports afternoon. These take place at Castlebar Field and again boys compete in their Houses in many different events, everything from high jump to hurdles, all specially tailored for boys of Pre-Prep and Junior School age. Encouragement is provided by cheering parents and boys are rewarded for their endeavours.
Here at Durston, we believe that the best way to nurture our Olympic hopefuls is through positive encouragement and motivation and both of these occasions engender these. As the whole school community comes together, once again, Durston boys are able to flourish, within their capabilities.
-
Sportsmanship
There is no greater place than the sports field to develop a boy’s character, not only in competition with an opponent, but also in competition with himself. Durston House takes sportsmanship seriously and considers it a necessary part of a boy’s education. Fair play and respect for opponents are encouraged, as well as modelled by staff, throughout a boy’s time at school.
Although the rugby field, hockey astroturf or tennis court are the obvious places to observe sportsmanship, boys are asked to translate the same values to a classroom, music venue or school corridor. Here, too, we can see a moment of graciousness from a boy to another, having battled in competition in a Mathematics Challenge or the Verse Speaking Competition, one victorious and the other forlorn. Often, a knowing look and a handshake signal the end of ‘battle’, and the search for a new challenge begins, building character and providing further learning opportunities for boys.
Boys learn the importance of winning and losing from early on; through the many House Competitions, sports fixtures, class challenges or year group tasks, boys experience the highs and lows of victory and defeat, which we hope they meet with humility and respect, treating ‘those two imposters just the same’.
Throughout the Summer Term, Athletics is a focus in PE and Games sessions. Whether a boy is 5 or 13, he gets to don his running shoes and put his skills to the test. Time is spent training, running, jumping and throwing, in preparation for our annual Sports Day. This is an important occasion in the school calendar, bringing boys, staff and parents together to celebrate the boys’ effort and persistence in displaying their talents.
In June each year, boys in Middle and Upper School spend Sports Day at Perivale Athletics Track, in inter-House athletics competition, both on the track and in the field. Boys take part in a number of events, which they would have chosen previously. They run in anything from a sprint race to long distance, or compete in anything from the javelin throw to the triple jump. After a break for picnic lunch, finals are held, and the four Houses and a large number of parents cheer on the competition. At the end of the day, the results are tabled and the winning House is announced, to much excitement. Individual winners are awarded their cups or medals at a special assembly the following week. The winning House Captain receives the Sports Day Cup at Prize Day. Though we celebrate success, it is not all about those who win, as Sports Day offers every boy the opportunity to participate, to try his hardest at something that might be new to him, putting his temperament and skills to the test. Generous applause is given to every competitor on Sports Day.
Not to be outdone, Pre-Prep and Junior School boys have their own Sports afternoon. These take place at Castlebar Field and again boys compete in their Houses in many different events, everything from high jump to hurdles, all specially tailored for boys of Pre-Prep and Junior School age. Encouragement is provided by cheering parents and boys are rewarded for their endeavours.
Here at Durston, we believe that the best way to nurture our Olympic hopefuls is through positive encouragement and motivation and both of these occasions engender these. As the whole school community comes together, once again, Durston boys are able to flourish, within their capabilities.
There is no greater place than the sports field to develop a boy’s character, not only in competition with an opponent, but also in competition with himself. Durston House takes sportsmanship seriously and considers it a necessary part of a boy’s education. Fair play and respect for opponents are encouraged, as well as modelled by staff, throughout a boy’s time at school.
Although the rugby field, hockey astroturf or tennis court are the obvious places to observe sportsmanship, boys are asked to translate the same values to a classroom, music venue or school corridor. Here, too, we can see a moment of graciousness from a boy to another, having battled in competition in a Mathematics Challenge or the Verse Speaking Competition, one victorious and the other forlorn. Often, a knowing look and a handshake signal the end of ‘battle’, and the search for a new challenge begins, building character and providing further learning opportunities for boys.
Boys learn the importance of winning and losing from early on; through the many House Competitions, sports fixtures, class challenges or year group tasks, boys experience the highs and lows of victory and defeat, which we hope they meet with humility and respect, treating ‘those two imposters just the same’.