Sporting News
We're in the middle of an incredibly exciting semester of sport here at PHS! Keep on reading for all the event details from our sports coaches, including highlights and selected students as the MVK’s. The Most Valuable Kingfishers of the day are students demonstrating extraordinary performance both on and of the pitch, fully showing the Preston values.
Cohort 2028-2029 : Basketball
After a tough first match, the Year 9/10 boys’ basketball team managed to win all their pool matches and then easily win the final match against rivals Thornbury. The girls smashed it out of the park all day, going undefeated as well. Looking forward to the heading to regionals in Term 4!
Highlights: Seeing the team support one another and work together to achieve a common goal. Iliana hitting some crazy three pointers.
MVKs:Dylan Navin and Maddy Moody
Table Tennis
It was a very pleasant day with well-behaved students from all schools.
Highlights: The Boys A team did well, almost beating Northcote in the Final, winning an equal number of matches but losing on total points scored. The Girls A won all their match-ups and made it through to the next round!
MVK’s : Aaron Vuong - the best player at the tournament and an excellent leader helping his team with strategies and tips.
Cohort 2030
NMR Boys Soccer team makes the State Finals
Summary: The Cohort 2030 Boys Soccer Team progressed all the way through to the Grand Final of the State Championships for the second year in a row! The team showed incredible determination, resilience and teamwork throughout the entire day. With the pressure on and a win needed to progress, the team stood tall in the final game of the round robin.
In a thrilling finish, Jonathan B scored in the dying minutes to secure the victory and send the team through to another State Grand Final. For the second year running, the team found themselves up against a sports academy in the Grand Final. After falling 2–0 behind in the first half, the team showed tremendous fight and character to claw their way back into the contest and equalise at 2–2. Unfortunately, a goal in the final minute saw the opposition take home the championship.
While the result was heartbreaking, it should not overshadow what this team has accomplished. Reaching back-to-back State Grand Finals is an extraordinary achievement and something very few teams can say they have done. The team’s record now stands at an incredible 24 games played: 20 wins, 2 draws and just 2 losses - both in State Grand Finals. An outstanding achievement from an outstanding team. Everyone involved should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished.
Highlight: Fightback in the GF from being 2-0 down. Last minute goal from Jonathan B to send PHS into the GF.
MVKs: Aguet M stood up defensively in some really crucial times when the team needed defensive guidance. Leo Nichol-Annand played with grit and determination all day. Outstanding performance during his first appearance for the PHS soccer team.
Basketball
Summary: Both the Girls and Boys A teams got through to the Grand Final matches of the round robin tournament. The B teams were able to play competitive matches and beat some of their opponents. Students were really well behaved and supported each other well.
Highlights: The boys narrowly lost to Northcote in the Grand Final, but played really well as a team. The Girls won through to Regionals, beating Thornbury by 2 points.
MVK’s: Jordon Jiang & Emilia Edwards
Table Tennis
Summary: On Monday of Week 9, C2030 competed in the Table Tennis Division at Galaxy Pool Lounge, taking on teams from a range of other competitive schools. We were proud to be the first team to arrive, with everyone bringing their best on the day. Beyond demonstrating excellent table tennis skills, our students showed fantastic teamwork and sportsmanship—helping to set up the courts, completing score sheets, supporting their teammates, and cheering enthusiastically for others when they were not playing.
The day finished with an outstanding result! Boys A have qualified for the Regional competition, while Girls A have progressed through to the second final round. A huge congratulations to everyone involved. Your commitment, teamwork and positive attitude represented C2030 exceptionally well. Well done, team! 🏓
Highlights: Azaan and Antonio were outstanding, winning every doubles match they played. Everyone demonstrated an excellent attitude by listening respectfully and attentively to the host organiser’s instructions. Most importantly, we were incredibly proud to see everyone work together as a team and support one another throughout the day.
MVK- Samuel
Cohort 2031 : NMR Footy
Students engaged in a round-robin tournament with five other schools from Melbourne's northern suburbs. Competing in single and doubles matches, students had the opportunity to show off their drop and drive shots against competitive opponents.
Highlights: The celebration of the goals, was awesome to see, with everyone happy for each other.
MVK’s : Thomas Bubbers - Fantastic leadership skills and really got the boys motivated.
Basketball Boys/Mixed
Summary: We had two basketball teams, a Team A and Team B. Team A won a game and lost two, though the boys played really well for an undersized team. The second game they were pipped just at the end but the energy they brought to the court was fantastic. The Div 2 boys played in a great manner where they rotated, allowed each other to run plays and take control. They won a game, lost a game and drew a game.
Highlights: How each team supported one another. When Team A were on court, all the Team B boys watched and supported, and vice-versa for when Team B played.
MVK’s : Luca Prohasky - Great encouragement ro all his teammates.
Cohort 2031
Basketball Girls
Summary: Our basketball teams represented the school with enthusiasm, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the day. Under the guidance of super coach Nicole McAlpine, both teams gave their best on the court. The B Team displayed a commendable effort, showing determination, resilience, and great team spirit in every game. Their positive attitude and willingness to support one another was outstanding. The A Team had a fantastic day, demonstrating strong skills and teamwork to finish as overall winners.
Highlights: Outstanding Teamwork - players consistently supported one another on and off the court, communicating well and working together to create scoring opportunities and strong defensive plays.
Positive Attitude Throughout the Day - both teams demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, encouraging teammates, celebrating successes, and staying positive even during challenging moments.
Resilience and Determination - B Team showed great perseverance and never gave up, while the A Team combined skill and teamwork to remain focused and ultimately finish the day as worthy winners.
MVK’s : Poppy Logan was a reliable and highly skilled player throughout the day, consistently contributing with confidence and determination. Her positive attitude and commitment to the team set a great example for her teammates. Charlotte Hawkins demonstrated natural leadership on and off the court, encouraging and supporting those around her.
Whole School : Regional Athletics
We had 17 students attend Regional Athletics with epic success! Luca P and Jack S finished 2nd and 3rd in the 1500m race, qualifying Luca for State Finals this term! Jesse B also came 3rd in the 200m sprint, Alice 2nd in long jump competing 4 age groups higher than her age! Pak also came 4th in the 100m sprint, Beckett 4th in Shot Put and our 12-13 Y Relay came 4th by 0.002 seconds! Talk about a close call!
State Cross Country Running
Our dynamic running duo that is Luca P and Jack S went to State for Cross country which is incredible as it is! Jack was able to come 29th and Luca 39th in the entire state! We also had Tilly Reid go and compete; she was able to achieve an outstanding 20th in the State!
Cross Country Ski
While Preston High school doesn’t exactly have much mountain or snow to train on, we had three students compete and excel at the Victorian Interschools State Championships.
PHS won the Division 1 individual classic and came 2nd in the team classic and team skate relay.
Individual Classic Division 1:
Liam Cullen-Croke 🥇
Romain Hohn 8th
Leo O’Brien 12th
Team Classic Division 1
Liam, Romain, Leo🥈
Team Skate Relay Division 1
Romain, Leo, Liam 🥈
We couldn’t be prouder of our Kingfishers as we head into what is usually our quietest sporting term. But due to how many NMR events our talented students have qualified for, we are still so busy!