Olympians visit St Bart’s School Year 7 Open Evening in Newbury
Two special sporting guests joined hundreds of prospective pupils and their families at a to its annual Year 7 Open Evening.
Headteacher David Fitter addressed the audience about the St Bart’s School’s aims for its pupils.
Current pupils acted as tour guides and demonstrated the subject activities on offer, plus house competitions and co-curricular opportunities, while listening to the school orchestra perform.
Two special guests also joined the event.
Toby Garbett, a retired two-time World Champion Olympic rower and tri athlete, and Becky Wilde, a Paris 2024 Olympics Bronze Medallist in the Women’s Double Scull, demonstrating rowing technique and other fitness skills, assisted by St Bart’s Living for Sport pupils.
Mr Garbett, who runs a gym and wellness centre, has supported St Bart’s and the Living for Sport programme for more than 10 years.
He said: “I was dyslexic at school. It wasn’t really picked up and was often labelled as a behavioural issue.
“Finding sport was a game changer for me and, at each level, I found new role models to push me on.
“As an athlete mentor, I love passing on my experience and helping to motivate and inspire the next generation.”
Miss Wilde started rowing for Bath University before joining the Leander Club, where she trained with Mr Garbett.
“Whatever the level, participation or competition, sport is such a fantastic way to stay active and make friends for life,” she said.
Pupils, Jessica Cox and Francesca Warner, said: “We joined Living for Sport because we love taking part in sport.
“Toby and Becky have been teaching us all about teamwork and communication.
“To work with Olympians is pretty cool.”
The school also celebrated successes at the West Berkshire Schools Sports Awards Evening.
The winners and highly commended were as follows:
Amelie Goodwin, Young Leader of the Year (winner),
U16 Girls Football Team, FA Football Team of the Year (winner),
Beth Maclean, Sports Performer of the Year (highly commended),
And Isla Clare, FA Footballer of the Year (highly commended).
