Fun, with a purpose

The purpose of the Russell Cup competition is to challenge older pupils to exhibit the classic Reptonian values - teamwork, willpower, a sense of adventure - within the context of Outdoor Skills. Yesterday, the competitors enjoyed an action-packed event, and the obvious spirit, grit and sheer engagement shown is a credit to the pupils . We also had a dollop of fun in the mix, too.

Each House Skills teams competed in First Aid (emergency triage, treatment and casevac), Map skills (bearings, navigation), construction task (find a way over a chasm), team obstacle circuit (speed clambering over a tricky circuit), a pool team task (build a giant floating raft whilst in the water, and then climb on it). The House Physical challenge team romped around an assault course which included crawling, climbing, leaping, abseil, swinging and raft-racing.

Superb support from Houses- that is fellow pupils, and House staff- excellent volunteer turnout from staff running the stands, good weather, and good spirits from the pupils at the end of an intensely busy but splendid term, combined to make the Russell Cup event a vintage one, in my view. The sheer good humour was impressive, allowing me to announce the winners to rightful acclaim: 2010 overall Russell Cup winners are Priory. Individual event winners, to follow.

G. Lawrence 

For more photographs from the afternoon please click here.