St Lawrence College Junior School are celebrating after their Years 5 and 6 pupils delivered an outstanding team performance to win the overall trophy at the Thanet Primary Schools Swimming Gala.
The event, held at Hartsdown Leisure Centre, welcomed 14 local schools for a day of competition across a range of strokes and relays. Representing St Lawrence College with pride, energy, and determination, the Year 5 and 6 team achieved 59 points, securing first place overall in the afternoon gala.
There were a number of notable performances throughout the event:
- Ariyanna dominated the 25m backstroke, securing 1st place in both her heat and the final, showcasing impeccable technique and composure under pressure.
- Rory added strength in the same stroke, claiming 2nd place in both heats and final of the Open 25m backstroke.
- Erin was a double medallist, placing 2nd in both the heat and final of the 25m freestyle, and also contributing to two strong relay teams.
- Cody put in a powerful swim to finish 2nd in the final of the Open 25m butterfly, and featured in several high-performing relays.
- Elodie placed 4th in the final of the Female 100m Individual Medley and was a key contributor in both medley and freestyle relay teams.
- The highlight came in the Mixed 4x25m Freestyle Relay (Event 14), where Team A – Elodie, Erin Jennings, Ariyanna, and Cody – stormed to victory, finishing 1st in the final, a fitting close to a strong afternoon.
Across the board, St Lawrence College pupils competed in backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly, taking home a string of top-4 finishes and relay placements including:
- 2nd place finishes in both medley and freestyle relays for Teams A
- Multiple top 3 placements in heats from swimmers including Florence, Harlyn, Xander, and Alex
- Consistent relay coordination and transitions that made a real difference in the final scores
Mrs Baldwin, Head of PE and Games in the Junior School, shared her pride in the pupils:
“What a fantastic day for our Junior School swimmers. They all gave their best effort, showing incredible courage, enthusiasm, and determination. With 14 schools competing throughout the day, it was a true team effort. A special congratulations to our Year 5 and 6 students for winning the competition, an outstanding achievement! We are so proud of each and every one of them.”
The team’s success was a testament not just to their swimming ability, but to their camaraderie, discipline, and the College’s strong sporting ethos.
With the summer term in full flow, this achievement will no doubt inspire even more young athletes across the school to dive into their next challenge.