Text 1: The race I nearly missed, by Amina Yusuf

An original contemporary school magazine article.

At twenty to two, while everyone else was gathering beside the running track, I was hiding behind the sports shed. Three weeks earlier, I had confidently entered the 800 metres. Now that the race had arrived, two complete laps seemed less like sport and more like a terrible administrative error.

My friend Nia found me and pulled me towards the starting line. “Just keep moving,” she said. This was not the inspiring speech I had hoped for.

When the whistle sounded, I charged away far too quickly. For half a lap, I felt magnificent. Then my legs became heavy, my chest tightened and one runner after another passed me. As I reached the final bend, however, I heard my class shouting my name. Nia, who was several metres ahead, slowed down and called, “Breathe, Amina!”

I finished sixth out of eight. It did not matter. My classmates cheered as loudly as they had for the winner, and our teacher was waiting with a cup of water and an enormous grin.

Later, I ran in the relay. I dropped the baton, picked it up and started laughing. The rest of my team laughed too, then ran so determinedly that we still finished third.

I had begun the afternoon wishing I could disappear. By the end, I understood that sports day was not only about being the fastest. It was also about discovering how many people would shout for you when you needed them.

Text 2: Brookfield School Sports, by Our Correspondent

An original newspaper report written in a nineteenth-century voice; a period simulation, not an archival document.

In this report, published in 1898, a correspondent describes an annual school sports day.

The annual sports of Brookfield School took place on Wednesday afternoon in a field decorated with flags. The fine weather attracted a large gathering of parents and friends, who watched the events with considerable interest.

The pupils marched onto the field in their teams and conducted themselves with admirable order. There followed running races, a relay and a sack race, the last of which caused much laughter among the spectators. The closest contest was the quarter-mile race. Edward Marsh won by only a few feet after a determined finish, and both the victor and the second-placed runner received generous applause.

A pleasing incident occurred during the relay. When a younger pupil stumbled, another competitor stopped to help him to his feet before continuing. This act of kindness was warmly cheered and reflected great credit upon the school.

At the conclusion of the afternoon, the headmaster presented the prizes. He praised not only those who had won their events but all the pupils who had competed with courage and good humour. Refreshments were then served to the visitors, and a most enjoyable gathering came to an end.