Inter-House Middle School Athletic Meet

Barnes School & Junior College, Devlali, organised the Inter-House Middle School Athletic Meet on 2nd November 2026 at 9:00 a.m. on the athletic field. The event was organised with the objective of promoting physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and healthy competition among students of Grades 5 to 8.

The occasion was graced by the Chief Guest, Mr. Abhishek Mani Tripathi, CEO of the Cantonment Board, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Tripathi.

The programme commenced with a prayer, seeking blessings for the successful conduct of the athletic meet. This was followed by the felicitation of the Chief Guest and Mrs. Tripathi as a mark of respect and gratitude for their gracious presence.

The highlight of the opening ceremony was the impressive march past by four contingents comprising Class 7 Girls, Class 7 Boys, Class 8 Girls and Class 8 Boys. The students marched with precision, discipline and coordination, reflecting their dedication and house spirit. The Class 7 Girls contingent emerged as the winner of the march past, under the guidance of their teacher-in-charge, Mrs. D. Motghare.

Following the march past, the Chief Guest addressed the gathering, encouraging students to participate in sports with enthusiasm, determination and a positive attitude. He emphasised the importance of discipline, perseverance and teamwork in shaping confident individuals. He then formally declared the athletic meet open.

The athletic meet witnessed enthusiastic participation in various track events. The 100-metre races were conducted for the top six finalists in each category, providing an exciting display of speed, agility and competitive spirit. The results of the 100-metre events were as follows:

A remarkable achievement of the day was Hazel Fernandes of Helen Keller House, who won the Under-12 Girls' 100-metre race in an outstanding time of 13.53 seconds, breaking the existing record of 1965. Her performance was a moment of pride and celebration for her house.

The relay races generated tremendous excitement and enthusiasm among the spectators. These events highlighted the importance of coordination, teamwork, speed and effective baton exchange.

The results of the relay events were as follows:

The relay races were among the most eagerly anticipated events of the meet, as students cheered enthusiastically for their respective houses. An invitational relay race was organised to promote camaraderie and sportsmanship among participating schools. The invited institutions included Amit Pandya Nutan Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Vanjarwadi, and Dr. Gujar Subhash High School, Deolali, with participation from its English-medium and Hindi-medium sections. Barnes School & Junior College participated alongside the invited schools. The race fostered a spirit of friendship, healthy competition and inter-school cooperation. Barnes School & Junior College emerged victorious, bringing the event to an exciting conclusion.

Students of Classes 5 and 6 presented an impressive mass Physical Training (PT) drill. The performance was organised according to the respective houses, with students demonstrating synchronisation, discipline, coordination and rhythmic movements. The well-coordinated display reflected the students' dedication and the efforts of their teachers in preparing them for the event. The drill was a visual treat for the audience and demonstrated the importance of physical education in the holistic development of students.

Adding a fun-filled and nostalgic touch to the athletic meet, special races were organised for parents under the theme of “Going Back to School.” The races encouraged parents to relive their school days and participate in the sporting spirit of the occasion. The gentlemen's race required participants to return, put on their shoes and run back to the finishing point. The event brought laughter and excitement to the spectators as the participants raced against one another. The ladies' race was equally entertaining. Participants were required to write the alphabet legibly before returning to the finishing point. This creative activity brought back memories of classroom lessons and handwriting practice, making the parents' races both enjoyable and memorable. The enthusiastic participation of parents added a special dimension to the meet and strengthened the bond between the school and the parent community.

The prize distribution ceremony recognised the achievements of students who excelled in the various athletic events. Prizes were awarded for the completed events, including the 100-metre races and relay competitions. The results of the 200-metre, 400-metre and 800-metre events, which had been contested earlier, were also recognised during the ceremony. The outstanding performances of the young athletes were applauded, and the winners were congratulated for their hard work, determination and sportsmanship.

The titles of Best Sprinter were awarded to:

· Best Sprinter – Girls: Hazel Fernandes, Helen Keller House

· Best Sprinter – Boys: Justin Gotting, Spence House

These awards recognised their exceptional speed and consistent performances on the track.

The Inter-House Middle School Athletic Meet was a memorable celebration of sporting talent, teamwork, discipline and school spirit. From the disciplined march past and energetic track events to the synchronised mass PT drill and entertaining parents' races, every segment contributed to the success of the programme.

The meet provided students with a valuable platform to showcase their abilities, develop confidence and learn the importance of perseverance, fair play and healthy competition. The participation of parents and invited schools further enhanced the spirit of unity and fellowship. The event concluded on a high note, leaving behind cherished memories and reinforcing the belief that sports play an essential role in building character and nurturing well-rounded individuals.