As well as our excellent academic performance, The Minster Schools are also the top performing school in Croydon for boys and girls football, netball, panathlon and basket ball.
Many of our children have been inspired by this to follow successful careers in Sport. I have a attached a few testimonials from former students so you can read about their success.
Kyra Sethna-McIntosh
(Athletic Coach and Sports Reporter)
“My time at The Minster Junior School inspired me on my journey in sport and the work I do today. During my time at the School, I was fortunate enough to be part of many school teams, where I learnt new skills and got to participate in a wide variety of competitions. More noticeably, the school fostered the team spirit needed to excel in sports. We would all support each other and push each other on, and I have taken these skills into the various roles I have today.
My favourite events of the school year were definitely the annual school cross-country that took place at Duppas Hill and the athletics we did in the summer term. I was lucky enough to win both events and as a result got picked to compete for the school in both The Croydon Schools cross-country and athletics competitions, where I was fortunate enough to go on and win both the cross country and the 800m on the track. This led me to training and competing for my local athletics club Croydon Harriers, where I have competed at both a national and county level. It’s from here that I have now been inspired to work in sports.
I coach children and young people with additional needs in sports as part of The Croydon Councils RAP Scheme, coach the u10s group at my athletics club Croydon Harriers and have also been lucky enough to intern for The Guardian Newspaper on their sports desk interviewing athletes and writing various articles. None of this would have been possible without finding my passion and joy for sport at The Minster Junior School.”
Andre Grey
(Professional Footballer for Brentford FC)
“The Minster Junior School helped me greatly through sport in many different ways. In Years 3 and 4, I represented the school in cross-country, and was placed 1st and 3rd in the Croydon Primary Schools Tournaments.
I was also exposed to competitive football across London, representing the school for Croydon in the London Youth Games when I was in Years 5 and 6.
In addition, the school allowed us to participate in athletics, where our relay team broke a 34 year-old Croydon record. Overall, the school helped me develop a competitive mind set in sport while also giving me the opportunity to have fun with my friends as a child, which I am very appreciative of.”
Rochelle Mayne
(Footballer for Dartford Women FC & Coach for the Palace For Life Foundation)
“When I was at primary school I was quite reserved and shy. The only ounce of confidence that would come out of me would be when I participated in sport.
Parish Church (The Minster Junior School) started off my football journey! Mr Davies recommended my parents to look for a football team outside of school! Since then I haven’t left the sport and I am currently playing for Dartford Women and coach football for the Palace for Life Foundation.”
Raffaele Oppong
(Professional Footballer for Brighton & Hove Albion FC)
“The Minster Junior School played a big part in shaping my journey in sport. My teachers encouraged me to be an athlete and build confidence.
This allowed me to walk into any sporting environment trusting my abilities. This was because of the confidence and skills that was built during those years at the Minster Junior School which gave me the foundation to help me get signed and become a scholar at Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club.”
Henry Thomas
(One of the country’s top ranked sprinters)
“I attended Minster Junior School from nursery to Year 6, where I was coached by Mr. Davies, whose support in sports helped me achieve great success. In Year 5, I won the Croydon Schools Athletics competition, breaking a 10-year-old record, and went on to retain the title in Year 6, earning the title of the fastest boy in Croydon.
I was also part of the football team, helping us win the Croydon Cup, and proudly finishing as the team’s top goal scorer. Mr. Davies and the school’s encouragement were instrumental in my athletic journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I had to excel.”
We are so very proud of all of our children as they take their learning journey with us. Their dedication to success is the fuel that drives them forward to bigger and better things. We thank you all and wish you every success in the future.
