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P R E P S C H OO L
1 5
EPSCA Chess
Championship
As we gathered by the Tower on Saturday 1 February there was
already a real sense of achievement in the air before the Eastern
Round of the EPSCA Championship had even begun.When
Mr d’Costa joined us in May 2018, his ambition for Bancroft’s
Prep was to begin playing in the English Primary Schools’
Championship, and here we were; bright eyed, armed with books
about tactics and ready to go.
We took five teams with us: two U11 and three U9. Having only
attended one much smaller tournament before we were unsure
what to
expect.Wearrived to find Moulsham Junior School,
Chelmsford thronging with excited chess players from all over
the region. Players were to play five rounds of games, each round
beginning at the same time. It was very exciting to find one’s
table, sit down opposite one’s opponent, shake hands and let the
game commence. At this point the hall became very quiet as the
children focused on the important matter in hand.
Between each game the children returned to their ‘base camp’
for a spot of last minute coaching from Mr d’Costa or a run
around outside. During the day it was clear we were performing
reasonably well but it’s hard to keep a handle of everything that’s
going on when you have thirty teams playing at any one time.
After a long day of play all competitors gathered in the hall for
the results – and how proud Mr Layburn, Mr d’Costa and I were.
Gold for our brilliant U9 A team and Bronze for our U9Cs! In a
very competitive U11 category our equally magnificent U11A
team brought home a Bronze medal. Four out of our five teams
had qualified for the semi-finals which take place in NorthWales
in June. All five teams played superbly all day with five of our
children winning every match they played.
I’d like to thank all the children that took part, all the children that
play chess regularly at school and Mr d’Costa, Mr Lee and Mr
Bukojemski for making this happen.
Mrs L Life
Playing our Cards Right!
Business is booming in our Prep 2 Enterprise Club; the
children have been working round the clock to ensure
supply of their fantastic collection of Bancroft’s trading cards
meets demand. Alphas, Betas and Prep 1s have had a chance
to buy up to 30 cards each, and the playground is busy with
daily trades and games of top trumps.The Prep 2s have been
patiently waiting and will be getting their hands on their
cards later this week.
This is by far our best venture to date, the Business Team have
already made over £1500 profit and this increased when final
chances to buy extra packs or individual cards took place
before half term. All money raised will be going to charity; a
huge thank you to all those involved and to our parents for
their fantastic support.
Mrs A Adams