Season's Reports Summer 2025
Belhaven Hill School's Season's Reports
Summer 2025
Cross Country 2024 - 2025
The cross-country year started with our Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Runs. All pupils at Belhaven in Forms 1-3 run 3k once a week, with those in Forms 4-8 running 2k. The pupils in the lower age group may attempt a longer distance if they should wish, and happily, the majority of these in fact do. In order to incorporate football into our school timetable, this year we broke with tradition and made the runs fortnightly, rather than weekly, also in the hope that this might bring about increased focus from the pupils on the run. This certainly worked, I am glad to say.
In the autumn and summer terms, Mr. Curry took his running club out of school to go down into the Dunbar, to the beach at Belhaven Bay and to the woods at John Muir Country Park. We ran a variety of courses around the area, up to 5 miles across all terrains from beach to hills to woodland and alongside traffic.
At Christmas we held our annual Christmas Games which involved the final Thursday Run of the year followed by competitive Christmas pudding-and-spoon races at speed dressed as ridiculousnesses such as dinosaurs and sharks, followed by dragging the scrum machine. Much fun.
The Patrol Cross-Country Relay in January has become a wonderful event which improves with every running, and includes every single (on-games) pupil in the school. Running the 5.1-mile course from school to the far end of John Muir Country Park, over the seven legs and four teams for each of the four patrols the Owls A-team eventually won in just over 33m, with the Lions in second, the Woodpeckers third and the Wolves in fourth. The Owls were well deserving winners, winning the A-, B- and D-team events Notable runs came from Monty and Charlie T. for ploughing their way through the field.
The Belhaven Cross-Country Championships was in its 39th year and we took the decision to rework the start in order to give runners more space. Starting now 300m away at Seafield Pond, we run out towards J.M.C.P. in varying degrees of length; 2.5 k for the U9s, 3.0 k the U11s and 3.5 k the U13s. The Belhaven staff team performed wonders in late February.
The highlights of the event were Finlay T. and Annie F. winning bronze in the U9 boys’ and girls’ races respectively, while Patrick took silver in the U11 boys’ race and Monty – despite being a year young – took gold in a new course record. In the team awards we came in third position or better in five out of the six races, which no other school could match, including winning the U11 boys’ team event outright. The event itself was a huge success, with 364 runners from participating schools ranging from Melrose in the southwest nearly to Aberdeen, a 150-mile spread. It is always a very special day in the prep schools’ calendar, and we are proud to continue to host the event.
Next up was the Merchiston XC, a short but fun relay event. The situation from the Belhaven XC, perhaps unsurprisingly, recurred, as our teams finished generally well. U11 boys won their event again, finishing just half a second off the course record, Monty, Patrick and Xander, back from injury, again catching the eye. The U9 girls finished in a very creditable second position, the U11 girls in third and the U13 girls’ teams finished in both third and fourth positions. In addition the U9 and U13 boys’ teams did themselves proud against strong opposition. Everyone left everything they had on the course and again, no other school could match the four podium positions Belhaven managed.
Late spring term saw the annual running by Belhaven Hill of the local Lochend Woods Parkrun. The idea behind the event is to encourage fitness and runners of any age and ability run or walk around 5K courses all over the country, and indeed all over the world. All courses are exactly 5K in length and are manned by volunteers every Saturday morning. All Form One pupils took part.
Charlie T. came home first of the Belhaven contingent, in 8th position in a respectable time of 22m 42s in overcast, but good conditions. Rollo (13th) and Hector (16th) came in soon after others dotted down through the field under 35 minutes. Ottilie was our first female home in 26m 02s, and second female overall. It was so heartening to see parents from the eight of the families of the 23 pupils also running the distance with their children today, plus many more watching and cheering on from the side. Well done to all of Form One, whose attitudes were excellent, for pushing yourselves today in your first ever externally organised run.
In the last week before we broke for Easter we held our annual Individual Cross-Country, a 2.1km dash around the school grounds. Monty S. (Form 4) won the event in 7m 34s – the first non-F1 pupil ever to win – just pipping Patrick and Wilbur into second and third places. Anastasia was the first female, and junior girl home, Emily the first senior girl.
The Owls won the event overall, beating the Woodpeckers into second, followed by the Wolves and finally the Lions in a race close between the first three patrols. Well done to every pupil for participating.
On the last day of term Belhaven took a record 34 runners to the Berwick in order to compete in the Longridge Cross Country Championships, an event we don’t get to go to as much as we would like due to timetable clashes. What a decision to go this year, though! There were eight trophies up for grabs and eight schools competing for them, and we bagged four wins. First up were the U10 girls, with Annie, a year young, coming in second position, and Holly, Jemima and Cleo all finishing strongly as Belhaven finished just two points off winning the trophy. What an achievement for these girls, all of whom are at least a year young and can run again in the same event next year. The U11 girls went one better, winning their event comfortably and being led home by the girl who won the race overall, Anastasia.
The U10 and U11 boys are possibly our strongest categories. Monty is a simply outstanding runner, and he won the U10 race by a mile. Finlay added to the glory with a third-place finish as we won the trophy again. The U11 race was even more comprehensive, as local lad Patrick won the race, just ahead of Xander in second place, with Toby and Fred not far behind as we again won the overall competition.
Then to the inaugural running of the senior races. We were pipped by a single point into second position in the U12 girls’ race with Clemmie finishing second, and in the U13 girls’ race we dominated. Isla, who has really found her running form this year, won the event outright, with Florence and Eloise in second and third positions, giving Belhaven a clean sweep. Molly and local lass Abi completed the roster to win the trophy.
We came a creditable fourth position in the U12 boys and were third in the U13 boys’ race, Charlie T. leading the way for us, coming home in eighth position on his home ground. So, an incredibly fruitful day brought much-deserved silverware home to this very talented group of runners with four victories, two second-place finishes, a third and a fourth.
In April Monty and Anastasia posted a first for Belhaven Hill as they entered the Scottish Schools’ Athletics Association Primary Schools’ Cross-Country Championships. In an amazing showing, Anastasia finished in 7th position from a field of 94 in the P6 girls’ event, while Monty fared even better, winning the P6 event even though he is of P5 age. Wow.
May saw the return, after a three-year break, of Belhaven’s Three Rivers’ Run. It is a non-competitive run which takes the whole school out of the back gate, around the golf course and onto the sand at Belhaven Bay. From there we wade across the river at the Bridge to Nowhere, run across the sand to Commando Bridge and back via hopping through the Biel Burn. It is great fun for all and we hope to add in a sea dip at the end next time round.
The final running-related event of the year was the Belhaven Run Records’ Attempt in May. This is the time of year when pupils are the most focused on achieving well at the Belhaven Run. The ground is hard, they are well-rested due to the more leisurely pace of cricket when compared with other sports and for many of them, this is their last ever chance to get their personal best. The crop of 2025 certainly did not disappoint.
We had ten runners from Forms 4 and 5, with every one of them getting his/her personal best and a couple of runners going one further. Finlay T. managed to get on the board of sub-12-minute runners, in running the 3K course in 11m 40s, and both Annie F. and Coco S. beat the F5 record of 14m 03 by smashing it, in times of 13m 25s and 13m 38s respectively. Monty S. took the gong for the most spectacular run of the day, finishing the three laps in 10m 39, just 17 seconds outside the overall school record.
In F3 we had five runners, who produced remarkable success. Toby (11m 57s) and Charles T. (11m 26s) both made it ‘on the board’ and Anastasia G.-C. and Rose C. lowered their own times to 12m 10s and 12m 49s to make it to the board. Patrick was hugely impressive as he ran the route in 11m 05s – a new F3 record. In F2 all three runners ran well but in F1 we had particular fireworks; Thomas P. (11m 56s), Noah B. (11m 38s), Hector J. (11m 48s) and Wilson M. (11m 46s) all made it onto the 12-minute board, while Rollo (11m 27s) and Charlie T. (11m 09s) lowered their own times.
A brilliant display of guts and skill. It has been a great year for running – the best in my seventeen years here, and this was possibly our best day. Well done to all who participated.
So another great year of running at Belhaven, packed with individual and team successes. Runners of the year go to Charlie and Clemmie in the seniors and Monty and Anastasia in the juniors, with the awards for effort and drive to improve going to Noah in the seniors and Oak in the juniors. What a year!
Mixed Cricket U11D
U11 D Cricket – end of season report
The U11D team have made some good progress this season winning two out of their three matches; impressive given lots of people hadn’t even played cricket at the beginning of the season.
During training, we started off with lots of throwing and catching practise to ensure everyone’s hand-eye coordination was top notch. Then we looked at the basics of bowling; keeping a straight arm and not just throwing the ball overarm, using the rocking motion with our front arm extended to help get a good line. And of course we did some batting practise getting our eye in.
The season started off strongly with a storming win against Fettes 96-23. Bertie confidently led the team and even took a wicket on the fourth ball of his opening over. Petra surprised even herself by catching someone out and James managed to score his first ever six.
Cargilfield was a much closer match with Belhaven only winning by 11 runs. Flora was captain and wowed the crowd with her strong bowling, getting a wicket in her second over. Cargilfield finished the first innings with 58 runs meaning Belhaven’s batting team had their work cut out for them. With only 36 runs by the end of the 4th batting pair, it was uncertain which way the match would go but Andrew’s amazing trio of sixes ensured Belhaven’s win in the end.
For the last match of our season, we played St Mary’s, Melrose – it was our first match away and perhaps it was the unfamiliar territory, or the pretty scenery, that distracted players (!) but unfortunately it was a loss for Belhaven in the final match.
Overall it has been a season full of personal and group growth, learning to play as a team, to focus even when fielding and to work with your pair not against them. But most importantly it has been fun!
Girls' U13B
U13B Girls Cricket – end of season report
The U13 Girls B cricket team has enjoyed a successful season, showcasing not only a high standard of skill but also remarkable teamwork and sportsmanship. The girls approached every fixture with enthusiasm and a strong team spirit, which was evident in both their performances and their support for one another on and off the pitch.
One of the standout matches of the season was a commanding win against Strathallan, where the team delivered a clinical all-round performance to secure victory by an impressive 62 runs. The batting line-up showed real depth, with several players contributing valuable runs, and the bowlers kept a tight line and length to apply constant pressure throughout.
Although the team narrowly lost to Fettes by just 4 runs in a nail-biting encounter, the match highlighted their determination. The bowlers fought hard, and the fielders showed great energy and awareness. It was a game that could have gone either way and served as a valuable learning experience.
Against Cargilfield, the girls held their nerve in a closely contested match to win by 12 runs. This game was a perfect example of their teamwork and resilience, with excellent communication in the field, quick running between the wickets, and sharp fielding that created crucial run-out opportunities.
Throughout the season, the girls' batting has improved tremendously, with more confident shot selection and stronger partnerships. The bowling attack was varied and effective, consistently taking wickets and building pressure. In the field, they worked cohesively, backing each other up and reacting quickly to every opportunity.
This has been a season of growth, success, and enjoyment. The team should be proud of their achievements, their positive attitude and team ethic.
Mixed Cricket U11B
Under 11b Cricket season report
This summer term I had the pleasure of coaching the U11b Cricket team. I was really impressed through the whole season with this team as they just improved every training and every match. This was the first time that Belhaven has had a full season in both boys and girl's cricket, and it was so lovely to have everyone together enjoying this fantastic sport. We were so lucky this term with the weather, I think in my 10 terms at Belhaven this might be the first term with no cancelled matches due to weather! It really has been glorious to walk outside every day and have a nice afternoon in the sunshine.
Now on to the more important news, our results!
We played 5 teams, Strathallan, Fettes, Ardvreck, Cargilfield and St Marys. We won 3 of those matches and came second place in the other 2!
In total over the whole season the team made 556 runs and took 22 wickets.
I had some standout players this year- these players in particular, always showed up on time with a positive attitude and a willingness to improve every training. Anastasia, Archie, Jules and Woody were my standout players of this term.
In saying that, everyone has improved in one way or another this term and it is great to see. From some never playing cricket before to taking wickets in hardball! Well done to everyone for giving things a go, achieving your personal goals, being team players and being a joy to coach. I'm looking forward to next season already.
Girls' Cricket 1st Team
It has been a pleasure to coach and take the 1st Girls’ cricket this term, in which we have seen the girls go from strength to strength with their game. Our first outing of the season involved a triangular with Cargilfield and Sedbergh and proved to be a great training session for the team. Quickly adapting to a hardball cricket game for the first time for the majority of the girls, they worked hard on their bowling and batting all term. Isla proved to be a super wicket keeper, taking the role with a rather cool approach, occasionally spotted dancing with Ottilie behind the stumps whilst waiting for new batters!
The first match of the season was back to kwik cricket against Strathallan. The girls demonstrated some strong fielding and bowling in this match, taking some catches, thinking about where to aim the ball, and delivering some good batting in their innings.
We then travelled to Fettes for a hardball pairs games. The girls knew that Fettes had the potential to be a good team and raised their game. Following on from their victory against Strathallan, the girls kept the fielding tight with some great catches, quick thinking and some even better batting. We returned to Belhaven with another victory under our belt.
Next up we travelled to sunny Crieff to play Ardvreck. This saw Ottilie, Wendy and Eloise play for the 1st Mixed team, and the rest of the girls split between the 2nd and 3rds mixed teams. All girls putting in a great display of cricket, in whichever team they were playing.
We then faced Cargilfield, our first full hardball game. Having played them at the start of term whilst still learning the game, the result of this match showed how much the team had improved. It turned out to be quite a close match.
Following this, we played St Mary’s in what was probably the most exciting game of cricket so far. Both teams were equal in their batting and fielding and in the end, it went down to the final 2 balls of the match.
Our last game of the season against Loretto was another full hardball match. Our batting was fantastic, with some well-placed balls, some risky running in places and some outstanding bowling. In this match, Maggie scored 52 runs and not out; the first ‘50’ by a Belhaven girl.
