Opportunity, Challenge and Character Through Sport
Welcome to the latest edition of the St John’s Sports Newsletter.
Our goal is simple: to celebrate the breadth of sporting life across the School. We’ll share highlights from different teams and year groups, recognising not only results but also the teamwork, effort and resilience shown by our pupils.
Alongside match reports and achievements, we’ll also include thoughts from staff, coaches and pupils to give a real sense of the experiences and values that make sport at St John’s so special. This newsletter is here to shine a light on the successes, challenges and stories that shape our sporting journey
St John’s Celebrates Central Surrey Cross
Country Success
On Saturday 17 January, a number of St John’s pupils represented the school at the Central Surrey Cross Country Championships, held at the notoriously demanding course in Reigate Priory Park. Known for its gruelling hill and testing terrain, the course provided a true challenge
In the Year 7 race, Jess K, Chessie L and Harry S all competed admirably, showing great commitment and race awareness in a highly competitive field. The U15 category saw strong performances from Lola G, Olivia W, Eva M and Hugh B-M, while in the Senior race Tom M delivered an outstanding run for the School
Huge congratulations must go to Hugh B-M and Tom M, who both finished 6th in their respective races. This exceptional result means that both athletes have now qualified to represent Surrey, and in doing so have also secured qualification for the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships. This is a phenomenal achievement and places them among the very best young cross-country runners in the county and beyond, a true testament to their talent, dedication and consistent hard work Well done to all pupils who took part for representing St John’s so positively on a demanding stage. We look forward to following Hugh and Tom’s progress as they compete at the next level.
Football Highlights: A Strong Start to the Season
It has been an excellent period for St John’s football, with strong performances across all age groups in both cup and league fixtures
On Thursday 8 January, the U14A team travelled away to face Little Heath School in the ESFA National Cup last-32. Against a strong opponent and in a competition that saw 676 schools enter nationally, the boys delivered an outstanding performance to secure a deserved victory Progressing to the final 16 of the national competition is a fantastic achievement. A special mention goes to Max B, who was named Player of the Match following an influential all-round display
The Senior School sides began their league campaigns on Saturday 10 January with a block fixture against The King’s School, Canterbury Both the 1st XI and 2nd XI recorded impressive victories, meaning that both teams currently sit top of their respective league tables This represents a very strong start to the season and sets an excellent platform moving forwards
Despite challenging weather conditions, the Lower School teams all took to the field with enthusiasm and resilience in their first fixtures of the season against a demanding block of home and away matches versus Wilson’s School. The players showed great character and thoroughly embraced the challenge.
Cup action continued on Thursday 15 January, with the U15A team competing in the ISFA Quarter Final against a strong Highgate School side In an exceptionally high-quality contest, St John’s narrowly lost 4–3, exiting the competition with great credit The performance was outstanding throughout, with a special mention to Raffy F, who produced an exceptional individual display
The same day saw the 1st XI Girls travel away to Sevenoaks School, where they competed in biblical conditions. Despite a narrow 2–1 defeat, the girls were outstanding in attitude, organisation and resilience. Skye H and Jess L led the team superbly, while special mentions go to Chloe L, who controlled the midfield with maturity, and Lilly B, who was a constant attacking threat down the right-hand side
Finally, on Saturday 17 January, St John’s faced a demanding block fixture against Sevenoaks School across the Senior School, with the majority of teams registering wins and continuing a very strong start to their league campaigns The U13A team produced the result of the weekend with an excellent 5–3 victory, while the U16 teams deserve huge credit for scoring 18 goals without conceding, an outstanding collective effort.
Jamie G Signs Two-Year Extension with Chelsea FC Academy
St John’s is incredibly proud to announce that Jamie G (U3) has signed a two-year extension with the Chelsea FC Academy, marking a huge milestone in his footballing journey and a significant achievement for both Jamie and the School.
Securing an extended contract at one of the country’s leading professional academies is a testament to Jamie’s outstanding commitment, talent and work ethic. Chelsea’s academy programme is renowned for its high standards and intense competition, making this extension a clear reflection of Jamie’s continued development and potential within the game.
Jamie has consistently demonstrated exceptional attitude and maturity, balancing the demands of elite-level football alongside his academic and school commitments. His success serves as an inspiration to younger pupils and a powerful example of what can be achieved through dedication, resilience and a genuine love for the sport
This is a huge moment for Jamie, his family and St John’s and we look forward to supporting him as he continues his development within the Chelsea Academy environment over the coming seasons
Netball Highlights: A Flying Start to the New Year
The New Year has brought an exciting and highly successful run of fixtures for St John’s Netball, with teams across all age groups demonstrating skill, grit and outstanding team spirit in both national competitions and early-season block fixtures.
National Competitions
It has been a fantastic period for our teams competing on the national stage. The U15 girls hosted Epsom College in the Final 16 of the Independent Schools Cup, producing a composed and physical performance in a fiercely contested match. The squad showed great maturity under pressure to secure a well-deserved victory and progress through to the quarter-finals.
The U14 team faced Bancroft’s School in their National Cup Quarter Final. After an end-to-end first half, the girls delivered a superb, high-intensity secondhalf display, pulling away convincingly to book their place in the Top 4 nationally. This is a phenomenal achievement for the group Standout defensive performances came from Gabriella B and Ava P, whose work rate and decision-making were exceptional throughout.
Our 2nd VII have also continued their impressive national run A strong away win against Kent College saw them progress into the final eight of the 2nd VII competition. Excellent contributions from Luciana B and Emily R played a key role in the team’s success.
Senior
Block Fixture vs Wellington College
The first senior block of the season was always set to be a tough challenge against Wellington College. The block began with a Friday Night Lights fixture at home for the 1st VII, who produced their most complete performance of the season so far The girls were dynamic, cohesive and brave, narrowly missing out in a hardfought contest The quality of this performance has provided real momentum for the squad moving forwards
Saturday saw the remaining senior teams take to the courts, with many Upper Fifth and new Lower Sixth girls proudly wearing senior stripes for the first time The atmosphere around the Netball Hub was electric. Strong wins were secured by the 3rd VII/4th VII, U15A/B and U14A/B teams, while the U15C and U14C/D sides battled courageously in narrow defeats. It was also fantastic to see so many Fourth Form pupils making their St John’s debuts.
Lower School: An Outstanding Start
The focus then turned to our youngest Eaglets, who were eager to showcase the progress made after a winter of committed training in often challenging conditions. Every Lower School pupil represented one of our 10 teams, and with nine wins and one draw, it was an exceptional opening day The confidence, enjoyment and enthusiasm on display were a real highlight A special mention must also go to the U13A team, who followed this up by finishing runners-up at the Hurstpierpoint College Festival Competing against a strong field, the girls produced a series of excellent performances, demonstrating both quality and composure throughout the day.
Block Fixture vs St George’s, Weybridge
The fortnight concluded with our second major block fixture, this time against local rivals St George’s, Weybridge Once again, the 1st VII led the programme under the Friday night lights, setting the tone for another competitive weekend.
Across the programme, there were excellent results, promising performances and several thrilling one-goal matches. The Lower School once again fielded nine teams, a wonderful reflection of the depth, commitment and enthusiasm within the St John’s netball community It has been a hugely positive start to the year, and we look forward to building on this momentum as the season continues.
Boys’ Hockey Highlights
The boys’ hockey season got underway in positive fashion on Saturday 10 January, with strong effort, commitment and encouraging early-season performances across the programme against St George’s
The 1st XI boys faced St George’s U15A in a fast-paced and entertaining contest With just one training session together prior to the fixture, the boys showed impressive cohesion, work rate and determination throughout. They competed well across the pitch, creating opportunities and battling hard in all areas, before eventually going down 4–2 Despite the result, this was a highly encouraging opening performance and highlighted the clear potential within the group as combinations continue to develop.
The U15A boys also took to the pitch against St George’s U15B. With a squad made up of players from three different year groups, it took time for partnerships and structures to settle, making it difficult to build sustained momentum early on. However, the boys showed excellent spirit, resilience and commitment throughout the match, working tirelessly for one another until the final whistle Although the game finished 4–0, the performance provided valuable learning opportunities and a strong foundation to build on as the season progresses.
Leading from the Front: Boys’ Hockey: Captaincy Announcements for the Season Ahead
Captains and Vice-Captains play a vital role in representing their teams, supporting staff, and shaping the culture and standards of sport at St John’s They are role models both on and off the field, and together they set the tone for their squads, driving standards, building team spirit, and ensuring every pupil enjoys and takes pride in their sporting journey.
Excitingly, more Captains will be named later this year as our focus shifts to our Summer sports. Congratulations to all our newly appointed Captains and Vice-Captains. We look forward to seeing you lead your teams with distinction in the months ahead.
Swimming Success Across Super League and ESSA Competitions
It has been an excellent period for St John’s Swimming, with strong performances across team and individual competitions highlighting the depth, quality and resilience of the programme
On Thursday 8 January, our swimmers competed in Round 3 of the Super League, producing an outstanding team performance against strong opposition, including Cranleigh School and Epsom College. In an extremely close and highly competitive round, the squad showed superb teamwork, determination and race execution to secure a well-deserved overall victory Every swimmer played a crucial role in the result, making this an excellent achievement for the team.
Individual success followed on Saturday 17 January at the Mixed U18 ESSA Individual Championships, where several swimmers delivered podium performances:
Jonas D claimed bronze in the Intermediate Boys’ 100m Freestyle
Ethan L-T produced an outstanding swim to win gold in the Intermediate Boys’ 100m
Isla C secured silver in the Senior Girls’ 100m Freestyle
Sophie R won bronze in the Intermediate Girls’ 100m Breaststroke
Lilly L delivered a superb performance to claim gold in the Senior Girls’ 100m Butterfly
Last week also saw the boys take to the pool for a water polo fixture against Caterham School In a well-contested and physical match, the boys played with great spirit, organisation and teamwork to secure a successful result, rounding off an impressive period for aquatic sport at St John’s
Winter Sports Excellence at St John’s: From the Slopes to the Ice
St John’s pupils Sam H, Oscar S and Austin L have been competing, and excelling, on some of the biggest stages in skiing and ice hockey, showcasing exceptional commitment, talent and ambition across two demanding winter sports.
Alpine Skiing: Competing on the National Stage
Over the Christmas period, Sam H and Oscar S represented St John’s at the prestigious Anglo Scottish Ski Championships, held in Verbier, Switzerland. The championships are a major fixture in the UK ski racing calendar and are run by the British Ski Academy, attracting approximately 160 competitors from across the UK, ranging from U10 to U18 Both boys competed across Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super-G, racing against some of the strongest young skiers in the country.
Ice Hockey: National Honours and Tournament Success
St John’s is also incredibly proud of Austin S, who enjoyed an outstanding period of success in elite ice hockey over the Christmas break
Austin represented Elite British Selects at the Best of British 3-on-3 Tournament in Glasgow, playing a key role in helping his team secure overall tournament victory. He then went on to represent England in the international 5-on-5 competition in Sheffield, competing against top-level opposition in a demanding and highperformance setting
To represent both elite national squads and to contribute meaningfully to success at this level is a tremendous achievement Austin’s performances are a real credit to his commitment, skill and attitude, as well as his ability to balance elite sport alongside his academic commitments at St John’s. The additional development opportunities he accessed during this period will be invaluable as he continues to progress within the sport.
Reflections from the Director of Sport
Sporting Micro-Habits
As we settle into 2026, many of us are thinking about goals - whether that’s improving in sport, making academic progress, enhancing wellbeing or simply being a more supportive teammate I’ve been reflecting on this while reading Micro-Habits: Tiny Changes that Supercharge High Performance, a book that draws on insights from Olympic medallists, elite coaches and other high performers. One clear message is that lasting progress rarely comes from grand resolutions; instead, it’s built through small, consistent actions - micro-habits - repeated day after day.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed many pupils and staff embracing this approach in really positive ways:
In training, pupils focusing on one small improvement each session are already showing greater clarity and confidence in performance
In wellbeing and recovery, players who take even a minute to pause, breathe and reset before training are calmer, more present and more composed. In leadership, pupils who take the time for a quick check-in with a teammate are strengthening team culture and trust in meaningful ways.
What makes micro-habits powerful is not their complexity, they’re intentionally simple and repeatable, but their ability to help us stay present and focused on process instead of outcomes We often think we need dramatic change to improve, but elite performers repeatedly emphasise the opposite: tiny, consistent changes lead to profound growth over time
As a school community, I would encourage everyone to choose just one small habit that supports their sport, study or wellbeing. It doesn’t need to be impressive, it just needs to be repeatable. Over time, these small steps lead to powerful change.
Mr Craig Holland Director of Sport
Stay Connected
Director of Sport: Craig Holland cjholland@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Director of Football: Joe Butler jbutler@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Director of Cricket: David Hammond dhammond@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Director of Hockey: William Marshall wmarshall@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Director of Netball: Alice Pedley atravis@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Director of Rugby: Liam St John lstjohn@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Social Media
Stay connected with us on social media for the latest sporting updates, events, and news:
Postcode for Junior and Senior Fields: KT22 7JD Postcode for 'New Fields' only: KT21 2BU
Strength and Conditioning Lead; Head of Tennis: James Nickson jnickson@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Head of Athletics: Jess Pugh jpugh@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Head of Girls Cricket: Richard Hall rhall@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Head of Performance Swimming: Andrea Gaget-Mato agaget-mato@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Head of Shooting: Will Morgan wmorgan@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Sports Administrator: Jo McDonald sport@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk
Sporting Achievements
We take great pride in recognising and celebrating the sporting successes of our pupils; no matter how big or small. Whether it’s a personal milestone, a team triumph or an achievement outside of school sport, we’d love to hear about it.
If your child has recently accomplished something in the sporting world, please feel free to share the news by contacting the Director of Sport so we can acknowledge and celebrate it appropriately within the School community.
