WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING (2of 2)

Secondary House Swimming Carnival

By Steve Kelly

This year’s Secondary House Swimming Carnival delivered exactly what you hope for in a House event — strong competition, plenty of noise from the grandstand and a culture that went well beyond the scoreboard.

Sherbrooke came out fast and set the early tone, applying real pressure on Marunari in the opening events. For a while, it looked like we might be heading for a genuine arm-wrestle.

As the program unfolded, Wattle began to build momentum — particularly in the relays. Their energy in the team events brought the crowd to life and narrowed the gap with some determined performances in the pool.

But across the full day, Marunari proved too strong. Consistent participation and steady results across both boys and girls divisions saw them hold their ground and eventually pull clear to take the overall win. While the final standings matter, what stood out most was the character on display. Students who would not call themselves swimmers stepped up for their House. Relays were filled because someone chose to have a go. Grandstands were loud with encouragement.

House Captains led from the front — organising, rallying and pushing their teams to stay engaged. These days are formation days. They shape resilience, courage and a sense of belonging. The pool is simply where it becomes visible.

A big thank you to our staff team who filled the many roles required to make the carnival run smoothly. From timekeeping and marshalling to supervision and results, the day runs on careful organisation.

Thank you also to the parents who came along to support students. Students who achieved qualifying times will now represent BHCS at the CSEN Swimming Championships at MSAC on 19 March. We look forward to seeing them compete at the next level. A strong contest. A strong culture. A strong House event for 2026.