Thursday 12^th February 2026

Dear Parents/Carers,

Re: Primary School Swimming Gala for Year 5 and 6 Pupils – Friday 13^th March 2026

I am writing to all parents of pupils in year 5 and 6 to assess children’s interest in a competitive swimming event after half term.  The event is called LEWISHAM PRIMARY SCHOOLS SWIMMING GALA, organised by Saxon Crown Swimming Club, and is held at Glass Mill Leisure Centre on Friday 13^th March 2026.

The gala will consist of four boys’ events and four girls’ events in Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. Year 5 and 6 swimmers will compete in the same event, the results for each year group will be decided from the times recorded. Teams for the Freestyle and Medley mixed relays events will consist of two boys and two girls from either year 5 or 6. There are a limited number of swimming places per school and in order for any child to participate there are strict guidelines based on Swim England Law that must be adhered to.  All swimmers must be able to swim at least 100 metres of the stroke they would like to compete in whilst using the correct technique.

If your child meets these requirements outlined above and is interested in taking part in the event, please respond to this letter to register interest on your child’s behalf.  Please indicate which swimming stroke or swimming strokes your child would like to compete in and confirm that they are able to swim competently at least 100m in each selected stroke. Please be certain of your child’s swimming capabilities as competition organisers can withdraw any swimmers during warm up if they are unable to competently swim a whole length. The school cannot over rule the gala’s decisions on this.

The school has 12 competition places so please apply quickly. Please note, spectators will be welcome at the venue to watch the competition and you are more than welcome to accompany your child. Events start at 2:30pm. On the day your child will have an early lunch at school before travelling on the bus to the venue with a school adult. All children will need to be collected promptly from Glass Mill Leisure Centre at the end of the competition due to the late finish time, approximately 5:30pm.

Please respond by Tuesday 24^th February 2026.

Many thanks,

Mrs Cooper