Sport News
By Andrew Blackwood
I feel like I say this each newsletter, but this term has truly been action-packed with so many amazing success stories of sporting achievement both in and outside of Loreto College.
BAS Swimming
Our BAS Swimming team represented the College with pride on 28 April at the Ballarat Aquatic Centre, competing against local schools including Ballarat High School, Ballarat Grammar and Clarendon College. Sixteen students took to the pool, demonstrating great effort and teamwork throughout the day. A special congratulations goes to Addison, who delivered an exceptional performance and was selected for the VSAC relay team, which recently competed in Melbourne.
Golf
A shout out to Pearl, who competed at the AGSV–APS–BAS Golf Championship at Spring Valley Golf Course on Monday 27 April. Pearl played outstanding golf across the day, finishing equal 3rd overall in a highly competitive field of 84 golfers - an incredible achievement. Pearl also competed on Monday 25 May, in the SSAV Golf Championships down in Point Lonsdale. Pearl shot a score of 73 and came outright second, and has now qualified for State Championships in Queensland later this year.
Athletics
In athletics, four of our Year 7 and 8 students travelled to Melbourne on Saturday 2 May to compete in the XCR Road Relays. Competing in the U16 age group, Olivia, Ava, Ruby and Belle worked brilliantly as a team to secure an impressive 5th place overall. These same four students as well as Bonnie, Ailish, Aria and Amali returned to Melbourne on Saturday 23 May for the XCR Cross Country event. Our senior relay team obtained a silver medal, with the juniors just missing out on bronze. Well done girls!
Global Representation
We are also thrilled to acknowledge several outstanding individual achievements across a range of sports. Harriet has been selected to represent Pony Club Australia in the International Alliance Virtual Dressage - a wonderful recognition of her talent and dedication.
Congratulations to Grace, who has gained selection in the Australian team for the U20 World Athletics Championships to be held in the USA this August - a remarkable accomplishment on the international stage.
Similarly, Eliza has been selected for the Australian Sapphires team ahead of the FIBA Under-17 Women’s World Cup. Following her strong performances at Vic Country Nationals, Eliza will travel to the Czechia in July to represent Australia.
We wish both Grace and Eliza every success and I know the whole of Loreto as well as our extended school community will be cheering you on.
Calisthenics State Champion
Charlotte won the State Title for her Graceful Solo in the 14 Years Open Reserve at the Calisthenics Victoria State Championships held in April. Well done Charlotte!
4EK
Speaking of community, our school spirit was also on full display at 4EK on Thursday 14 May, which was a huge success. Thank you to all students for your enthusiastic participation, and to staff for their continued support of this important event. Big thanks to Co-Curricular Sports Assistant, Mia Gartside for all her work behind the scenes.
Ballarat Marathon
It was fantastic to see such strong Loreto College representation at the Ballarat Marathon, with many students and staff involved both as participants and volunteers. Saturday 25 April saw our 1.6km and 5km runners take to the course, while on Sunday 26 April our students, supported by Faculty Coordinator: Health & PE, Naomi Russell, who staffed the first drink station in Victoria Park, assisting half and full marathon runners. It was a wonderful example of service, teamwork and community engagement.
Netball
Last but not least, congratulations to our Year 8 and 9 students who travelled to Melbourne on 17-19 May to compete in the inaugural Loreto Netball Shield tournament. This event brought together all Loreto schools from across the country for a highly competitive three-day tournament. In an extremely close Grand Final, Loreto College Ballarat claimed the Shield with a 28–25 victory over Loreto Toorak, bringing the Loreto Netball Shield home to Ballarat for the first time. Well done to all of our netballers who showed fantastic team spirit during the tournament.
Reflection by Eimear - Year 9
From 17–19 May, 20 students from Year 8 and 9 participated in the inaugural Loreto Shield Tournament against seven sister Loreto schools from all corners of Australia. Throughout the tournament, girls from all Loreto schools had fun on and off the court, whether it was laughing with friends or cheering from the sidelines. On Sunday 17 May, we travelled by train to Melbourne to check into the Como Hotel, where all the other visiting schools were staying. Soon after, we headed out for dinner in South Melbourne, where we ate our pre-game meal.
Monday was the main playing day. Two Loreto College Ballarat teams competed strongly throughout the tournament, demonstrating Loreto Values in a round robin format where each team played eight games across the whole day. With the competition fierce on the courts, we later shared a pizza dinner with the other schools, making new friends and forming lasting connections. With everyone exhausted, we were quick to head to bed in preparation for the next day.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Grand Final was played. Loreto College Ballarat versus the hosts, Loreto College Toorak Mandeville Hall. We played amazingly well and Loreto College Ballarat won the nail-biting match against Loreto Toorak 28-25, bringing the Shield to its very first home at Loreto College Ballarat. After the Grand Final, everyone gathered in the dining hall, where we enjoyed talking to Loreto girls from across Australia about the tournament and much more. We shared lunch and, most importantly, celebrated being presented with the Shield.
This tournament was an amazing opportunity to play a sport that builds such a strong community of like-minded people, creating many memories and genuine friendships. I’d like to thank Ms Martin, Ms Griffiths, Ms Nevett and Mr Blackwood for helping us to participate in such a fantastic event.