It is almost impossible to open a newspaper these days without there being some reference to the fact that we are breeding a generation of unhealthy, unfit children. The importance of exercise and keeping fit has never had a greater focus as we are constantly being encouraged to review the way our modern lifestyles are having a negative effect on our health and well-being.

Back in 2002, the national PE, School Sport and Club Links strategy was launched by the government.  The strategy set out a number of aims concerning the amount of time that should be spent on sport and physical education by school children; by 2008, 85% of children were expected to be spending a minimum of two hours a week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum. As part of this strategy, an award programme (ActiveMark) was established to recognise schools that deliver above and beyond the expected levels of achievement.

We are hugely fortunate at St. Anne's school to have Sarah Bryne, subject leader for PE, whose unwavering commitment to the development of sport in the school has been a major factor in its achievement of the ActiveMark award for 2008. As well as the timetabled PE lessons, which incorporate a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities, the school offers a wide range of after-school clubs plus opportunities to participate in competitive sporting events against other local schools. There are some wonderfully talented children who excel in a range of sports, but Sarah ensures that children of all abilities are encouraged and given equal opportunity to get involved by organising teams and events in such a way that everyone has a chance to participate.

It would be impossible to detail here all of the events, successes and range of activities that St. Anne's has been involved in over recent months, but to give you a flavour of the sporting life of the school, here are some of the highlights:

Through the East Surrey Schools Partnership, children have participated in tournaments in netball, football, rugby, cross- country running, swimming and athletics. Some notable successes include:

• Year 6 netball teams played successfully in a local tournament, each winning a rally.
• The school swimming team came 4th out of 8 schools at the local gala with a number of our swimmers gaining first or second place.
• The year 2 football team won their first rally at Chinthurst School.
• The year 6 football team were runners up in a rally at Banstead Junior School.
• The girls' football team played for the first time in a rally with 5 other schools. They won the overall tournament by winning all their games.
• A number of children ran in the cross-country races at Sutton Arena, with two girls being awarded gold medals for best overall results. 

Inside school, along with the ever increasing number of after school clubs, there is more focus on regular inter-house competitions, the aim being to give more children an involvement in sport. Teams are organised so that it is not always the same children who compete. So far, competitions have been held in football and cross-country, with further competitions in netball, cricket and rounders planned for the summer.

 Of course the best people to ask about sport at the school are the children. As one Year 5 child said "There's lots to choose from and it's always good fun, especially when you get to compete against other schools, and it keeps us fit"!

 Maria Foster, Governor, St. Anne's Catholic Primary School