This week the year 9 football team had their second game in their league against Kings Oak Academy at home on Wednesday. It was a difficult game due to both teams defending well so there were few scoring opportunities. However Cabot managed to create a good chance in the second half for Michael Pryce who managed to calmly put it past the opposition goal keeper. There were a number of strong performances during the game, these include Michael Pryce’s movement and work rate up front. Also Ronan Bermingham-McDonogh who played on the right wing, he chased down players with the ball and in attack linked up really well with the midfield and strikers. The final score was JCA 1 – 0 Kings Oak, which was the team’s second win in the last few weeks. Player of the match was Declan McGuckin who was brilliant in the centre of the Cabot defence.

Mr. White 

The game started off with us coming close to the goal with our two front men (Harry Saunders and Ed Grant). Then we got caught on the break with their striker squeezing it in the near post so at half time the score was 1-0.

We started well again in the second half with Harry winning us a free kick just outside the 18 yard box and he smashed it in over the keeper to make it 1-1. Then straight after we got another goal with Harry placing it to the side of the keeper 1-2. Then Harry scored again from a corner and tapped it in to make it 1-3. Then straight from the kick off they got one back with an unlucky deflection off our midfielder. Then late on we got two more goals from Jordon and Harry. 

The final score was BBA 2 vs. 5 JCA . Well done to the team Jake, Dan. T, James. M, Adam.C, Tyler, Robert. P, Robert. G, Lewis. P, Ed. G, Harry, Jordon and Ellis. The player of the match goes to Harry and James. Well done.

Lewis Pring

Each year the school collects Sainsbury’s active schools vouchers, which we use to purchase sports equipment. There is now a collection box out at the main reception ready for pupils to bring in vouchers. Last year we managed to collect over 10,000 vouchers which was used to get loads of equipment, this year we are going to try and get closer to 15,000.  We will also be collecting the Tesco’s vouchers as well and the collection box for these will be arriving soon.

Mr. White

This term the following team and pupils have been nominated by members of the PE department, well done to all the winners this term.

Team of the term: U16’s Girls Basketball Squad, this term the squad won the South Gloucestershire competition and then they went on to win the county championship. This now means they have reached the regional level competition. This is a massive achievement and is the result of 3 years of work in Basketball lessons, attending Basketball Club and training with Bristol Storm. A fantastic effort by all the squad well done girls: Whitney Thompson, Akilah Wellington, KT Brooks, Jasmine Rogers, Helen Howshall, Ruby Lopez, Victoria Brimming, Lottie Thompson, Maddy Ford, Jodie Parry, Candice Hayden.

Girls: Kara Pring & Josie Ford in year 9, this term these two girls have been outstanding. Their all round effort, performance, perseverance and a desire to be the best they can be in everything they do whether it be Basketball, Rugby lessons, wheelchair basketball, meeting Olympians or around the Academy. Two outstanding young people with a huge amount of motivation and positivity that rubs off on others.

Boys: Michael Pryce in year 9, he has been a great performer in both PE lessons and for the Year 9 football team this term. He has lead by example with his effort and commitment, which helped the football team to their first win against BBA last week.

Mr. White  

Firstly the girls played Ashton Park, and after a slow start Cabot's defensive structure began to put the opposition under a lot of pressure which Cabot converted to points. The third quarter saw them take the lead which they sustained through to the final whistle securing a 25-20 win. The girls then went on to dominate the final against Backwell with a 33-14 win. This was a well deserved success which the girls fought for and the whole team played their part. This was the third year that the girls reached the finals in which they were runners up two years ago.

Miss Hodge

The team was in a pool with St Bees and Backwell; they started with a tough game against St Bees. They were over 30 points behind after two quarters; however the girls improved their performance massively and lost by only 12 points. This was followed by Backwell, the girls built on their performance from the first game to win this 22- 14. This meant they reached the 3rd-4th play off against the Grange, this was a closely fought game which they lost 12-10 to finish in 4th place overall. The girls can take great pride in their performance and effort in all the matches they have been involved in during the last two weeks.

Mr. White 

On Tues 24th Jan, GB Pentathlete and London 2012 hopefully Sam Weale came to visit Y9 students. The visit was made possible as part of the work of the Wells Sports Foundation who support up and coming athletes and engage them with young people by getting them into schools. Sam is a British Gold medalist and won a Silver medal at the European Championships. At the Beijing Olympics Sam finished 10th and is looking to qualify and improve this finish position to win a medal in London.

Sam started the afternoon with an insightful and inspiring assembly with the whole of Y9. The requirements of the Pentathlon (running, shooting, swimming, horse riding and fencing) were explained to students with four of them dressing up in Sam's Olympic clothing. Ivanna wore the fencing clothing, Kieran the horse riding attire, Luke the running and shooting clothing and Maya the swimming outfit that has now been banned for competitions due to competitors swimming too quickly!

Following the assembly, 25 students were fortunate enough to spend a session discussing Olympic values and training for London then engaged in a practical session. Students had the opportunity to experience the shooting phase using the laser gun and electronic target. They then went out to the astro where Sam lead some warm up activities, running techniques, before the students competed in teams to simulate the running and shooting phase of competition. They impressed Sam with their work rate and completed the competition twice showing loads of enthusiasm and enjoyment.

Miss Hodge

On Thursday 26^th John Cabot hosted the South Gloucestershire Basketball Tournament, the winners of the tournament then go forward to represent South Gloucestershire at the County Championships. This year 6 schools took part and played in two pools, the teams were John Cabot, the Grange, Hanham High in one pool & Filton Abbywood, Downend and Winterbourne International Academy I the other pool. It was a very competitive competition with a very standard of Basketball played.

The squad started well by winning their opening pool match against Hanham, it was a strong performance in defense with some excellent passing and shooting in attack. This was followed by and tough physical game against Winterbourne which ended in a draw. Cabot finished top of their pool so faced Downend in the semi final, again the squad showed some strong defense and outstanding passing and shooting which saw them through to the final. The final was a rematch against Winterbourne the team held their nerve and produced an excellent performance to win and qualify for the county championships.

Also there needs to be a special mention for Kara Pring and Josie Ford for their brilliant work time keeping, scoring and recording the results for the whole tournament. Well done to all the girls and a massive thank you to all the pupils and staff who watched and supported the squad: Whitney Thompson, Akilah Wellington, Lottie Thompson, Ruby Lopez, Victoria Brimming, Maddie Ford, Candice Hayden, Jodie Parry, Jasmine Rogers, Katie Brooks

Results - Pool matches:
JCA 16 – 0 Hanham
JCA 4 – 4 Winterbourne
Semi final: JCA 10 – 0 Downend
Final: JCA 6 – 2 Winterbourne

Mark White

The year 10 football team started with a success this year with a 4-3 win over BBA. Missing a couple of players and without having had the chance to practice after school, it always had the potential of being a difficult game. Despite a goal after only 1:06 minutes, the early pressure was with BBA and JCA had to get its defensive skills working early. Two weak goals through lack of concentration led to a 2-1 deficit at half time, this could have been more if not for the solid back four of Zac, Joe Rooney, Luke Hancock and Lonnie Coles, not to mention some fantastic flying saves from Taran! JCA never really got into their stride and played how they can and should.

The half time talk was easy. More width, more passing, keep it simple and determination. The team which came out in the second half was like Cabot of old. The simple stuff being done well, Cabot dominated possession and created numerous goal scoring opportunities. However, with no Jamie Gregory (absent) and Jake Leat picking up an injury during the game, things were made a little more difficult. However some fine passing created some good well worked goals. Kieran Summers had a notable game coming on up front and doing a fine job. Conner Kerr ran down everything in the second half and the midfield was secured up by the rock that is George Watts.

The key to recent year’s success is keeping play simple. It worked before and it worked again in the second half, player of the match was Lonnie Coles. The next game is against Kings oak.

Mr. Thomas

Weds 25th Jan saw the first of the U16 League netball matches, the squads had become somewhat depleted but some rallying around at lunchtime and students stepping in meant that two full teams travelled to Hanham. Both teams found it hard to settle and convert early chances as the team had to get used to positions however both teams were the stronger sides coming out winners. Y10 won 10 - 3, Player of the Match Beth Terry, Y11 won 16-10, Player of the Match Helen Howshall.

Miss Hodge