Thought For The Day – Friday 10^th July 2026

The scene, and stage,  is set for Sports Day 2026 at T.B.S.H.S.. 

This is the one we have been waiting for. The excitement is palpable.  This what all the training is for.  House points, trophies, pride, and integrity are on the line. Inclusive Olympic ideals of aspiration and participation will be integral.  Students should compete, and support everyone in every race, in every place, with appropriate engagement and “Black, Gold, and Green Spirit”, from their House areas.   There will need to be a hushed silence before all the races.  The calm before the storm.  As always, students follow the guidance and instructions of staff throughout the event.  As ever, thank you to the Physical Education department for all they do.

This will be the first Sports Day for Year 7.   This will be the last Sports Day, as competitors, for Year 10.   In many respects, school life goes, moves, and progresses as quickly as Sports Day races.  Year 6 and new Year 7 Transition Day was yesterday.  The Year 13 Promenade, and Leavers’ Dance,  was last evening.

Students should ensure they have a full water bottle and stay hydrated.  Hats and suncream are highly recommended, given the current climate and weather.   Stay safe today and over the weekend and in the days to come.

Always mindful of those in need, Interact will be selling ice pops, raising money for “Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank”.  Thank you, once again, to Mr. Cooper.

As was the case with Sports Day last year, track events will be held in the morning. Field events will take place afterwards.  The programme is as follows:

• 8:30: Register in form rooms as normal.
• 8:40: 100 metres
• 8:55:  800 metres
• 9:15:  200 metres
• 9:35:  1500 metres
• 10:10: 300/400 metres
• 10:25: Relays
• 10:40: Break
• 11:00 – 11:40: Year 10 field events
• 11:40 – 12:20: Year 9 field events
• 12:20 – 1:00: Year 8 field events
• 1:00 – 2:00: Lunch
• 2:00 – 3:00: Year 7 field events.

We also extend our very best wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Scheme Gold Award expedition team, departing later today, who will also be staying safe in the coming days.  Thank you very much once again to Mr. Mead and all the supervising staff giving so generously of their expertise and time.

For many following, this week started 5, 556 miles away,  and around 2,200 metres further above sea level than here, in Mexico City.

Mr. O’Sullivan once led two life-changing charity expeditions to Oaxaca in Mexico, via Mexico City, with T.B.S.H.S. Sixth Form students.

This week,  Mr. Gunn delivered outstanding assemblies on the authentic, emotionally intelligent, expressive,  inclusive, inspirational, and resilient Mexican artist of integrity, Frida Kahlo.   As Mr. Gunn signposted, the life, art, and work of Frida Kahlo is the subject of a current exhibition at the Tate Modern Art Gallery in London.

Something that emerged in the aftermath of the men’s football World Cup Finals match in Mexico earlier this week was the passionate, but respectful, values of the Mexican people and supporters. This is evidenced below in an appreciative message from the very experienced, and very widely travelled, football broadcaster and writer, Henry Winter.

Passion, respect, and sportspersonship will also characterise Sports Day 2026.  Let’s go.