SOUTHEND’S two high schools have been given the chance of a lifetime to represent England at the World Schools Athletics Championships in China.

Southend High School for Boys and their neighbours, the High School for Girls, will jet out to the Chinese city of Wuhen next June after winning selection for their pupils’ track and field performances over the past two years.

The news was broken to the pupils on Monday morning and there has been a buzz around the classrooms of the two schools ever since.

Sue Simpson, head of PE at Southend High School for Girls, said: “Everybody has been talking about it since we announced it on Monday – there has been quite a buzz.

“This is the third time we have been selected for these championships which is a huge achievement for the school. But this is the first time we will be competing outside Europe and I think China is the big pull.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these girls to go to an amazing country and to do something they really love.”

Echo:

Gunning for glory – Southend High School for Boys’ intermediate boys team from last summer who helped the school qualify for the World Schools Athletics Championships

 

Southend High School for Boys’ head of PE Stephen Thomas said: “To go to China is not like going to Spain or Turkey, it’s something the boys will never ever forget and I doubt I will ever forget it too. And to go with the Girls School too makes it even more special.”

This is the second time the two Southend High Schools have represented England at the same championships.

In 2009, they travelled to Tallinn, Estonia, when the Girls team finished third and the boys team eighth.

Southend High School for Girls also represented England two years ago in the Czech Republic (alongside a boys team from Rayleigh’s FitzWimarc School) where they finished fifth overall.

And three of that team – Victoria Hiscock, Olivia Sofroniou and Jade Packer – will be eligible to compete once again.

“That is quite a big bonus for us as they know what to expect,” said Simpson. “They won’t be as fazed by it this time around and will know what they will be up against.

“Of course, they still have to prove themselves and are not guaranteed selection. The whole selection process has to be transparent and open to give everybody a fair chance.”

This will be the fourth time at the championships for Southend High School for Boys after representing their country in Bordeaux in 2005, Portugal in 2007 and Tallinn in 2009.

Their best finish was in Estonia where the team finished seventh and the latest crop will be looking to improve on that next summer.

“This is really something for the boys to look forward to,” said Thomas who estimates there will be 10 to 15 pupils in contention for six places. “Those boys who have focused more on rugby or football will come back to athletics.

“But we will set our standards and the best six boys will go, it will be as simple as that.”

l Both schools are looking for sponsors to help fund the trip to China.

Anyone who is interested should contact Southend High School for Girls on 01702 588852 or Southend High School for boys on 0844 477 1752.

Fundraising nights will also be held in the run up to the event which will be publicised in the Echo.