The Springbank rugby team celebrated after winning the local school rugby tournament for the second year in succession. Based on the success of last year's team we have seen interest in rugby training practically double this year with the mixed Year 5 and 6 rugby club over-subscribed since September's 'boot camp' training which involved some strenuous activity in what was left of the summer sunshine (feel free to ask any member of the original rugby squad how gruelling those early sessions were!). Since then we have trained in all weathers (including one particularly uncomfortable hail storm) with our focus on a big showing at last week's tournament.

There were 18 schools in attendance and Springbank, such are our squad numbers, ended up fielding two teams on the day. The boys and girls played four group games each. Team 'A' won their four games relatively comfortably but suffered some unfortunate injuries to key players in the process. Team 'B' had won their first three but narrowly lost out 3-2 in their final group game. When the schools were gathered to announce results it was revealed that Team 'B' had edged their group on points difference and, as a result, both Springbank teams would meet head to head in the semi-finals - unprecedented! It was impossible to take your eyes off the fiercely contested semi; supporters from other schools even stopped to watch as neither team refused to take a backwards step against their training partners as they chased down a place in the final. In the end it took a late try to separate the sides 2-1 and Team 'A' would face Stanningley in the final. With skipper Charlie Bennett and winger Joseph Edmonds having recovered from injury the team was at full strength and with the vocal support of Team 'B' on the side-lines (showing true Springbank spirit by turning disappointment into support for their peers) the final began. Intense defence married with sensational speed on the break saw Springbank to a 3-1 victory - the reds and greens of 'A' and 'B' danced and hugged as one team together, and Springbank now go on to face the best of all Leeds schools in the City Finals.  Another sporting success…go Springbank!

Sports Relief 2014 involved the rather original (and slightly unusual) idea of running the Sport Relief mile...dressed for swimming. This school council project was born from the Sports Relief mandate of swim, run or cycle a mile and, as we so often do at Springbank, we decided to go one better and do two at the same time. The children ran a track around the school playground with full accessories including goggles, armbands, rubber rings and, in one case, a pair of flippers! We also invented the first ever Springbank human vending machine. This involved your very kind donations of chocolate bars being sold by the school councillors to children looking to find some energy after a long, hard swim-run. We are still counting the money raised by the school and will let you know the total in due course but we would obviously like to thank you all for your donations towards such a good charity cause. As usual, Springbank has more than played its part.  Well done to our School Council for organising the day, with help from Mr Chapman.  TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED = £665.05