Bob du Feu had warmed up for the island school sports by winning six events, four in new records, at the last Vauvert Secondary Modern School sports day at Cambridge Park. (0581637)

TODAY’S schoolchildren don’t know what they are missing.

The modern day island school sports may remain a thrill to all bussed down to the Garenne Stand to compete within the covered comforts of a proper stadium with tartan track, but for those not selected for the jaunt to Foote’s Lane they may never get to sample the thrill of the action and – these things have always been important to students – time off from school, in the fresh air and away from those boring books.

Back in 1968, the island sports were still centred on the Corbet Field and whether athletic or not, if you were of school age you were required to go to watch and cheer.

The 46th senior sports were particularly special because they were the last for two schools. One was the Catholic St Joseph’s, the other the renowned town school which was to clean up and win all four major trophies that June day – Vauvert.

Its star athlete was Bob du Feu, one-time flying winger on the football fields – he won Schoolboy and Junior Muratti honours – top cyclist, motor-racing driver and, nowadays, tenpin bowling star.