The Independent Schools’ Sports Festival (ISSF) started in 1998. The festival consists of four sports (top two squash players, top four tennis players, 1st netball team and 1st hockey team). St Mary’s is fortunate in that we do not have a huge overlap of players and so were able to field full-strength teams, barring injured players.

ISSF is hosted in alternate years by an independent girls’ school in KZN and then reciprocated the following year by a Gauteng school.

Beginning with a prayer by Revd Rakgadi Khobo and a warm welcome by the senior deputy headmistress, Ros Howell, the event got off to a great start.

For those schools that had been at the St Mary’s Hockey Festival, the surprise at the superb weather conditions was palpable and, fortunately, remained blissful for the duration of the event. Games were played in the spirit of this event. Competition was stiff but not cut-throat. St Mary’s teams fared well in all four disciplines but as it is a genuine festival and teams do not play all the other teams, there were no final winners.

It was a wonderful event with the festival spirit emanating from all pavilions, courts and fields. Our estate and kitchen staff worked tirelessly and the Sports department, having drawn up the fixtures, ensured that everything ran smoothly at each discipline.

QUIX
DIRECTOR OF SPORT