1963

Judging by results, this year's season has been a good one. It is still a fair criticism to say that serious training on the part of some athletes would have produced even better results, but this would probably still be true if all competitions had been won.
Our relay teams produced some very fine running and exciting races in both the Campbell and Wadham trophies -though the baton changing left room for improvement. In the Campbell, we emerged from the heats level with Leyton and favourites, but a disqualification of one team and another being unable to compete prevented us from finishing better than third. In the Wadham Trophy, a disqualification in the final race brought the Junior Team from first to third place and the Senior Team finished second.
In the Russell Cup the relay teams, backed up by good support in the senior sprints and long distance, brought us in second place for the first time in many years. In this we were partly helped by the change of scoring which now gives points for all places in the finals.
In the Walthamstow Sports the Junior Team won both field and track trophies and the Senior Team brought home the Guardian Trophy-awarded for the first time this year.
In the Bickersteth Cup for field events, in which nearly thirty Essex schools took part, we came a good second to Southend. This, again, is the first time we have been so close to the top.
This year we held two triangular matches, with Beaconsfield and George Mitchell Schools. We won both of these, but more important, they were so enjoyable, that we hope we may repeat these next year and extend our fixture list.
Although only a minority of the Senior School take athletics seriously, those that do, prove that they are top. In particular Miller A. I. (who took Maxwell's mile record this year) has, by his successful example, encouraged others to join clubs and follow club training methods. We won the 880 yards this year in the Middlesex Championships, and reached the finals of the Southern Counties in this event. Roger Johnson, who put in much hard training, and Alec Cohen have both had good seasons, and next year will form the core of a good middle distance team. Phil Bailey, Vice-Captain, has long been training in a club relay team, in which this year he has gained firsts in the Essex Club Championships. In the Essex Schools 220 yds. after a poor start (with which he has trouble!) he gained on the whole field to finish second after lying fifth at the bend. He has also beaten the school 100 yards record which has been standing since 1949. Peter Jackson, a sprinter, and Glyde, first in the pole vault at Walthamstow and the Bickersteth, earned their half colours. In the fourth form, Williamson and Church are versatile athletes, taking three standards each at the Bickersteth, and Whitehurst's performance at hurdling has been outstanding. The Junior School has some very fine athletes whose performances do them great credit.
C.E.C.