We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of four PHSG students who are achieving great success in competitive swimming at national level.

Jess G, 8A has achieved an incredible ranking of 5^th in England for the 200m Breaststroke, while Ava E, 10A is currently ranked 5^th in Great Britain for both the 100m and 200m Backstroke events. Both students will be competing at the National Championships in Sheffield during the summer holidays – a fantastic achievement and a testament to their dedication, determination, and countless hours of training.

We are also proud to congratulate Alice S, 9A and Anna S, 10A who have both qualified for the Scottish National Championships taking place in July. Anna has qualified in both Breaststroke and Individual Medley events, while Alice has secured qualification in Breaststroke.

The four swimmers have dedicated years to the sport and are motivated by different aspects of the swimming journey: Jess says nothing beats the feeling after a great race. Ava values the connections she has made with swimmers across the country. Anna finds it rewarding to see the progress she has made over six years in the pool, while Alice's favourite part of the sport is being part of a team alongside her friends.

Balancing training and academic study requires commitment and organisation. Jess prioritises sleep and time for homework, Ava uses her free evenings to complete schoolwork while importantly making time for herself, Anna relies on a strong school-sport routine, and Alice prefers to tackle homework straight after school before heading to training.

Their advice for younger swimmers is equally balanced and thoughtful. Jess encourages swimmers not to dwell on disappointing races, reminding them that personal bests do not happen every time. Ava's message is to ‘trust the process’ and enjoy the journey, Anna believes it is important not to compare yourself to others, and finally, Alice emphasises the value of hard work and self-belief, especially during periods when results do not go as planned.

We wish Jess, Ava, Anna and Alice the very best of luck in their upcoming competitions and look forward to following their journey!

Success like this reflects more than talent alone. Through their committed attitude to teamwork and personal determination, Jess, Ava, Alice and Anna are living our school motto: ‘For life, not school, we learn.’  We are incredibly proud to see them focusing their energy into opportunities that build confidence, character, and lifelong skills alongside a love for their sport. I look forward to hearing the results of their summer events.” – Mr Underdown