Medalist adds glitter to school's sporting award

An international gymnastic medalist has joined staff and children in performing cartwheels in celebration at scooping a national award for sporting activities.

The energetic youngsters of Whitchurch Community Primary are coached by Commonwealth Games medalist Ruby Stacey, from Tavistock, and Ben Jones, (of Optimum Coaching and Education) who work alongside school staff to deliver PE.

The energetic youngsters have taken part in many local sports competitions including cross-country, football, netball, swimming, cricket and many more. This activity includes inter-school competitions and membership in community sports clubs and acknowledges the support and involvement of staff, parents, officials and other volunteers.

And this has been recognised by the award of the School Games Gold Mark Award for the 2025/26 academic year.

Mike Best, deputy headteacher and PE lead, said: “We are delighted to announce that we, Whitchurch Community Primary, have achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award.

“With a large total of young people competing in local inter-school competitions this year, we are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible. We are delighted to have been recognised for our success.”

The School Games Mark is a government-led award scheme launched in 2012 with the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for commitment to the development of competition in school and the community,

The pupils took part in Tavistock schools swimming gala (second placed), a football tournament, girls cricket (county finals runners-up), mixed cricket, West Devon cross country (girls’ Castle Drogo winners) and Quad Kids (athletics).

Mike added: “For our award application, we fulfilled criteria participation, competition, workforce and clubs. We’re pleased the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.

“We could not do this without the help and dedication of school staff, our former PE lead Imogen Syrett and school community who ensure we are entered, ready, prepared and can reach events.

“But, our biggest thanks, goes to our amazing school parents who help with lifts and more on the day, we really could not do it without them. We look forward to applying once again in 2027.”

The school has been presented with the award, either bronze, silver or gold in previous years and proudly displays certification on the school hall which doubles as a gym.

Gymnastics star Ruby competed in her first multi-sport games when she headed to Glasgow Commonwealth Games earlier this year and stood on the podium after helping Team England to bronze in the women's artistic team event.

After a successful junior career which saw her crowned British champion in the all-around event in 2019, Ruby repeated the feat again in 2021. She made her world championship debut the same year in Japan and was selected as a reserve for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. She was then named in the British squad for the 2025 European Championships as the team finished in sixth place. A highlight was scooping gold in the open all-around competition at the 2026 Welsh Championships.