Sporting Life at St Teresa’s

At St Teresa’s, we strongly believe in an approach centered around a culture of inclusion, enjoyment and commitment, whilst ensuring that every girl develops a lifelong love for sport/exercise. The department is led by our Director of Sport (Senior), Miss Emily Buckett and our Director of Sport (Prep), Miss Rippington, alongside a strong team of specialist sporting teachers and coaches. We currently have many students in the school who regularly compete at County, Regional and National level in a variety of sports. A broad range of sports are offered with teams competing in netball, hockey, swimming, cricket, athletics, tennis, cross-country and football. Extra-curricular sporting opportunities include rugby, rowing and badminton.

Curriculum Lessons

The students in Key Stage 3 have one PE lesson (1 hour) and a double Games lesson (2 hours) per week. The PE lessons compromise of a half termly rotation of an Aquatics activity, a Racquets activity, Health-Related Exercise and an Invasion Game. The Games lessons focus on the major sports; Hockey and Netball in the Autumn and Spring terms, and Cricket, Athletics and Tennis in the Summer term. In Key Stage 4 and 5, the students participate in two one-hour PE lessons per week where they are given the opportunity to participate in Netball, Hockey, Aquatics, Racquets, Football, Health Related Exercise sessions (including Yoga, Strength and Conditioning, and a variety of group classes), Cricket, Tennis and Athletics. Our main aim is to develop a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle and offer a wide breadth of sports to accommodate all students’ participation, progression and/or performance needs.

Extra-Curricular Programme

St Teresa’s has strong squads with great depth across all the major sports. The students train regularly throughout the week with their specialist and designated coaches, and compete in a busy, competitive, yet appropriate fixture programme. This enables the students to develop key core values and interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, leadership, resilience and discipline.

We are extremely lucky to have links with Guildford Hockey Club, Guildford City Swimming Club, Surrey Storm Netball and Horsley and Send Cricket Club, which help to accommodate and strengthen our provision in these sports. In addition, we recognise the development of women’s football and cricket, which is fast becoming a popular addition to our squad training and extra-curricular programme.

Sporting Facilities

The school benefits from outstanding facilities, including:

An indoor 25m Swimming Pool with diving blocks.
A well-equipped performance gym to facilitate our strength and conditioning sessions, as well as our curriculum and extra-curricular sessions.
A floodlit full sized astro turf pitch.
Four floodlit Netball courts.
Six floodlit Tennis courts.
A Sports Hall which caters for netball, indoor hockey, 5-a-side football and multiple racquet sports such as badminton, padel tennis and pickleball

Sports Trips and Tours

As of the academic year 2023/2024, all girls will have the chance to participate and represent the school in sports tours in the UK and abroad. These include tours such as a pre-season Netball tour to Condover Hall, a pre-season Hockey tour to Nottingham University, as well as planning trips abroad to Club La Santa, Lanzarote (multi-sport) and a long-haul double header Hockey/Netball tour.
We believe whole-heartedly that the benefits of sports tours can have lifelong positive effects on students, and we are excited about this future provision at St Teresa’s.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available in Netball, Hockey, Swimming, Cricket, Athletics, Cross Country, Tennis and Equestrian. These can be available through a sports-specific or general application. We are very proud of our sports scholars’ programme which is designed to closely support and nurture our scholars in their sporting journeys. Our sports scholars are offered the following services in return for a committed approach to their School Sport, which is centered around leading by example:

We are supported closely by Locker 27 (a renowned Strength and Conditioning organisation) who provide the sports scholars with four available specialised S&C sessions per week. The coaches work closely with the PE department to track attendance, progress and the students’ pastoral care.
An in-depth mentoring programme where each individual sports scholar is supported closely by an experienced and specialised member of the PE department. This includes half-termly meetings with a tracking booklet that involves key areas such as goal setting, schedule balancing, close pastoral care, and in-depth discussions regarding important areas of their sporting environments (e.g., their menstrual cycle, nutrition, academic workload etc.).
Half-term workshops which aim to provide the students with the knowledge and understanding required to succeed at the highest level in their designated discipline. These include talks by nutritionists, top-level athletes, coaches and other experts in their sporting fields regarding key and relatable topics.
For more information on our scholarships and how to apply please email: a.charles@effinghamschools.org

Meet the Team

Miss Emily Buckett – Director of Sport (Senior)

I am extremely passionate about developing the Sporting provision at St Teresa’s and I believe that the success of students in Sport is centered around an inclusive, enjoyable, and competitive culture. My teaching style is energetic and fun, and I like to build a rapport with the students to develop trust and a mutual understanding of the goals we want to achieve. I believe that the happiness of students enjoying a lifelong love of sport and exercise comes from the dynamic of an approachable and vibrant PE department who are willing to put the students’ needs at the heart of the programme. I am very fortunate to work with such an enthusiastic, experienced and energetic department who are all as equally passionate about the Sporting provision at St Teresa’s as I am!

I was always (and still am!) extremely competitive and I absolutely loved all of the sports that were on offer to me growing up. Netball is my true passion; I was fortunate to be selected for the Surrey Netball set up and throughout this journey, I was successfully selected for the Regional Academy and offered a National trial at U16. Regretfully, I took this opportunity for granted and wish nothing more than to rewind time and relish the effort required to succeed at this level. I am now playing at Rushmoor Netball Club where I compete in the Division 1 Regional League and understand the mental and physical hard work required to play at this level, and most importantly, enjoy it! Alongside netball, I also swam at County level, played Lacrosse at County/Regional level, and competed in a mixed Water Polo team for a local club; all of which gave me lifelong skills and memories that I will treasure forever.

My role model is Serena Guthrie (MBE), a former England netball player who leads by example both on and off the court and injects fun yet a high work ethic amongst her team. A true inspiration.

Miss Samantha Rippington – Director of Sport (Prep)

I always loved PE at School and trying out lots of new sports to see which ones I enjoyed. I aim to pass on my love for exercise to the children and give them as many sporting opportunities as possible, in the hope that they will find the sport they love! During my time at school, I was obsessed with hockey and cross country. I played hockey for my local club and for the U16 Berkshire team for a year. Once at University, I fell in love with high kneeling canoeing. I competed nationally and internationally for Great Britain for 10 years, both individually and with my canoeing partner Lisa. While competing, I was also keen to promote Women’s Canoeing to the younger generation and inspire them to take up the sport. I was a fundamental part of getting Women’s canoeing into the Olympics, taking LOCOG to court and raising the equality issues within the Olympics. My proudest sporting achievement is being the first women to paddle 125 miles in a high kneeling canoe. Many people told me it was not possible, and I loved proving them wrong!

My role model in Sport is Pam Boteler, an American canoeist and ambassador for Women’s sport.

Mrs Stephanie Elliott – Head of Hockey

My vision for St Teresa’s hockey is to get as many girls loving hockey and sport as possible. I want them to love being active and being part of a team. There is no bond stronger than the team you develop with your teammates. If the team works well together then success is far more likely. My teaching style is firm, but fair. I am very motivational and encourage the girls to make mistakes and try new things! This way we learn quicker and have far more opportunities to realise our true potential.

My personal hockey career started during 2012 when I played and captained the England U21 team; this led to GB trials. I went on to play for England and Great Britain Hockey from 2013-2016 and I have 15 caps. I now play at Surbiton Hockey Club and am currently captain of the National Premier Team. Recently, we finished 5th in the Euro Hockey League, where we take on other top teams from across Europe. Alongside this, I competed in the Premier League Indoor Hockey where I had the opportunity to play in the Final at the Copperbox.

My role model is my Dad. He never played hockey with me, but he taught me how to train properly, understand that pain is necessary and encouraged me to be the best version of myself that I can be. He truly is an amazing and special person.

Miss Alexandra Roberts – Head of Netball and Cricket

My vision and drive for my role is to increase participation in netball and cricket across both the prep and senior schools, and to improve the success and depth of fixtures. I aim to inspire the girls to watch international netball/cricket matches and organise an exciting netball tour abroad. I am passionate about motivating the older girls to keep participating in sport and continue the ever competitive sixth form/staff netball league that I have set up this year!

I like to believe my teaching/coaching style is nice but with clear boundaries. I am a very bubbly and happy person and would like the girls to feel comfortable if they needed someone to talk to.

Growing up I used to run for Dorking and Mole Valley running club and competed in both cross country and track competitions for Surrey. I found my love for netball in Primary school, competing at both school and club level throughout my education. My passion for netball has continued all the way up until now. At university I played at a competitive level, representing the 1st team for 4 years. After university I played for Cobham Netball club which I loved, but since having a baby I have decided to just play social netball during the week. I am a qualified Level 2 Netball Coach, netball umpire and a Level 1 Swimming coach.

My role model is Serena Guthrie, who used to play for England netball. She is an amazing netball player, the interceptions she makes on court are incredible!

Miss Sarah Fogwill – Head of Swimming

My vision for the St Teresa’s swimming programme is to firstly develop and broaden the curriculum, adding in water polo, water aerobics as well as swimming. I am also passionate about continuing to grow the successful national swim program and enter even more swimming events and competitions moving forwards. In the coming years I would like to offer the girls pre-season training camps in Europe and organise whole school swimathons. My teaching style incorporates a mixture of learning, games, and fun.

I used to swim for Burgess Hill and swam at the Nationals and county champs for many years growing up. Cricket is my main sport and I have played for Sussex and captained the Hampshire ladies cricket team. I have been lucky enough to represent and play in 2 worlds cups for England in Indoor Cricket. In 2005 I was invited to Buckingham Palace to receive a medal from the Duke of Edinburgh after winning the County Championships with Sussex. I am also Hockey goalkeeper and played for the University of Chichester first team and at Horsham and Mid Sussex HC.

My role model is Robin Smith, a former English cricketer.

Miss Hattie Jones – Head of Cross Country/Athletics

To have the ability to positively impact people is my biggest drive in life; so much to my younger self’s surprise, teaching is the perfect job for me! I absolutely love sport but understand that it is not everyone’s greatest passion in life, so I see my role as getting students to enjoy being active and see the value of staying involved in any form of sport beyond school, as well as supporting those with ambitions of playing high level to reach their potential.

Growing up with two PE teacher parents (who are the best role models I could ask for), I played every sport and just loved being surrounded by my friends in a different environment to a classroom. Swimming was my main sport initially and I became national champion when I was 11 and 12, but when my family moved to New Zealand, I realised being outdoors in the warmer weather was more enjoyable, so I took up hockey, surf lifesaving, and focused more on netball which had previously been a secondary sport while I lived in England. I represented my county in five different sports, won national titles in hockey and surf lifesaving and loved being able to do it all with my friends. It was only when I was selected for the New Zealand U18 and U21 hockey squads at aged 16, did hockey then take over. I attended the U21 Junior World Cup in my final year of school and was selected into the New Zealand development program. Despite my early success I lost the enjoyment of hockey, so moved to England for something new and played in the Premier League alongside Mrs Elliott at Holcombe. I now love it all over again and enjoy sharing my passion for all sports with aspiring students!

Mrs Michelle Rowcliffe – Head of Racquets

I would like to help everyone to enjoy PE and find a sport that they enjoy. In my role as head of Racquets I would like to give everybody the opportunity to participate at a level that suits them.

I am an enthusiastic teacher that has high expectations of the students. I try to encourage girls to be the best that they can be. I value teamwork and sportsmanship.

In my younger years I was a competitive swimmer and trampolinist. I have represented my county and region and have competed in many National Finals. Since retiring from competitive sport, I now enjoy running, yoga and playing social netball. I can also play padel tennis and pickleball. Whilst living in Monaco, I won the World Class games for 2 years in a row which is a race involving running, canoeing, paddle boarding, and strength challenges. I am also fully qualified to coach Netball, Hockey, Swimming and Trampolining.

My role model is my PE teacher from Primary school, Ann Jenkins. She is kind, wise, hardworking and a bundle of fun.

Miss Stephanie Gibson – Teacher of Senior PE/Head of Year

I am a keen all-round sportswoman who has played club level Basketball, Rugby, Football and Cricket, but I specialise in Netball and Lacrosse. In netball, I played for Bath university, and I am still competing in the Surrey and Kingston netball league. In lacrosse I have competed at international level and played in the English super league, and for Harpenden and Centaurs lacrosse clubs. Furthermore, I have been involved in establishing a new youth lacrosse club as head coach, where I also serve as a trustee.

Jan Brittin is my sporting hero! I was lucky enough to teach alongside her. An absolute Cricket legend; unbelievably talented yet humble.

Miss Hannah White – Teacher of Prep/Senior PE

The drive I have in my role at St Teresa’s is to encourage all girls that I teach to become confident and willing to participate in sports they do, because I know they can do it!

I am currently training to be a PE teacher at university where I am enjoying applying what I learn on campus to my lessons at St Teresa’s. I am a relaxed, yet firm teacher, in a fun and engaging environment.

Personally, I have been horse riding for 12+ years. I have always had horses from an early age so my Dad introduced me and my older sister to horse riding. We shared our first horse and then eventually had our own, where we started competing in dressage, cross country and show jumping competitions. I competed all over the country in national competitions with my show jumping team and overall, we were ranked 10th nationally.

My role models are my Dad, Michael Jordan and Ronaldinho!

Miss Lisa Smith – Sports Graduate

Sport has been such a positive influence in my life and it’s something I have always been passionate about. My vision is to inspire the next generation to have an enjoyable experience in sport, the same as I always have, and to try as many sports as possible.

My coaching style is fun and enthusiastic, I try to make the girls feel positive about sports by making it an enjoyable and engaging lesson.

Growing up, I was a part of the Fulham and Millwall football academies and became the captain of Surrey. I won two golden boot trophies for being the top goal scorer across all Surrey divisions!

Alex Scott is my role model; she was a female footballer I aspired to be like growing up and she’s had a big impact on the women’s game. Football was always my favourite sport, and it excites me to see how much women’s football is growing. I want to be a part of this by offering great footballing opportunities for the students at St Teresa’s!