Merseyside pupils unite for St John Bosco’s Primary Olympics 

More than 60 pupils from primary schools across Merseyside descended on St John Bosco Arts College, Croxteth, to participate in its highly successful Primary Olympics event. 

St John Bosco’s Primary Olympics returned in 2026 for the second year. The event gives pupils in Years 4 and 5 the opportunity to utilise the secondary school’s sports facilities. It introduces them to a wider range of physical activities.

This year’s Primary Olympics invited primary schools to compete in a range of events including javelin, long jump and obstacle relay. The primary schools which participated were:

• St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School, Walton
• St Albert’s Catholic Primary School, Knowsley
• Our Lady and St Philomena’s Catholic Primary School, Fazakerley
• Leamington Community Primary School, Norris Green
• Croxteth Community Primary School 

Jenna, a pupil at Leamington Community Primary School, said:

“I felt really excited to take part in the Primary Olympics. When I got to St John Bosco and saw all the things we’d been doing, it made me feel really excited.”

Year 5 pupil from St Albert’s Catholic Primary School, Cedric, added:

“It felt great to take part!” 

St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School was crowned the winner of this year’s event. It claimed the title from Croxteth Community Primary School, which won in 2025. St Matthew’s finished with an impressive 76 points and demonstrated standout performances in the tug of war and 50m race. 

Mrs Claire Wharmby, events and transition lead at St John Bosco Arts College, said:

“Building on the brilliant momentum of our inaugural Primary Olympics, we were thrilled to welcome new and returning linked primary schools to St John Bosco Arts College for a fun day of healthy competition.

“With the fantastic facilities we have here, the Primary Olympics is the perfect opportunity for children to get involved in sports events that may not be available to them in their primary school. Well done to all primary schools who competed and congratulations to St Matthew’s for taking home the winner’s shield!” 

St John Bosco Arts College’s Primary Olympics is now an established event within the school’s transition programme. The programme supports pupils in upper Key Stage 2 to become more familiar and confident in the secondary school environment before joining in Year 7. Other transition events include the primary production, summer school, taster days, Year 5 fun day and primary choir of the year. 

Headteacher, Mr Darren Gidman, commented:

“Our Primary Olympics is a great example of how we welcome our future students to St John Bosco and into our Salesian family long before their first day as Year 7s. Transitioning to secondary school is a significant milestone in a child’s education journey, and by opening our doors to our linked primary schools, we help pupils build new friendships and familiarity. The atmosphere on the day of the Primary Olympics was brilliant, and I’d like to thank Mrs Wharmby and the PE department for organising such a fantastic event.”