School Athletics Carnival

On Thursday 11 May, the annual McCarthy Athletics Carnival was held at the Tamworth Regional Sporting Complex. At least 100 students arrived early to participate in the distance events; 800 and 1500 metres. The competition and participation was excellent despite a dust storm arriving around lunch time.

The Discus and Javelin events were held on the previous Thursday and Friday at the College.

The attendance on the day was excellent and, as was the case with the Swimming Carnival, the atmosphere, team spirit and leadership shown by the House captains and senior students was outstanding.

Due to time constraints and the large number of students participating in track and field events, the relays were held at McCarthy, period 5 on Friday 18 May.

The relays were a very exciting event at school and it was a great way to end the week. The atmosphere was great with the hill on the oval packed with House groups supporting the six relay races. There was some close and exciting finishes. Chisholm did enough to maintain their lead and win the Athletics Carnival; a sweet victory and the first win for quite some time. The results and Age Champions are as follows:

1st: Chisholm (994 points)

2nd: Dominic (959 points)

3rd: Mackillop (938 points)

4th: Edmund Rice (755 points).

Boys Champions

12 years: Lindsay Maxworthy

13 years: Benjamin Chick

14 years: Brady Painter

15 years: Benjamin Nelson

16 years: Thomas Croake

17 years: Nicholas Taggart

Girls Champions

12 years: Tomi Gavin

13 years: Wunda Jaffer-Williams

14 years: Georgia Simms

15 years: Jada Taylor

16 years: Melanie Young

17 years: Julia Hannaford

Congratulations to the following students who broke records: Benjamin Nelson (15 years 200m), Kilian Apen (14 years Javelin), Ethan Miller (15 years Javelin and Shot Put), Benjamin Chick (13 years Long Jump and High Jump), William Lake (15 years High Jump) and Wunda Jaffer-Williams (14 years Javelin).

Friday Night Rugby

Friday 11 May saw the start of the Friday Night Rugby competition. With most teams training for some time, it was great to finally compete against other teams. This year we have six teams: two Under 14 teams, an Under 16 team and an Opens team. The girls are well represented with an Under 16s team and an Opens team.

The night kicked off with the 14s Boys' White team having a 24-all draw with Calrossy which was a great effort considering many players are from a Rugby League background and are still learning the finer arts of Rugby Union. Some really strong running and tackling by Sebastian Lawler, Luke Tongue and Ben Chick was a highlight.

The Under 14s Gold team had a narrow 24-22 win against Barraba/Quirindi; a great second half comeback, stealing the win. A big thank you to Doughal O’Reilly for his help in training and assisting coaching the team.

The Under 16s Girls' team recorded two losses but improved considerably in their second game. With continued experience they have the nucleus of a good team led by talented players such as Jada Taylor. The Open Girls' team had a great win 32-5 over Tamworth High School. This is a really strong team with outstanding all round athletes. Sophie Littlejohns, Melanie Young and a host of other players were all outstanding.

The Boys' 16s team won 21-7 against Barraba/Quirindi.

The Boys Opens' team was due to play Farrer but the game was postponed.

The second week of Rugby saw the Girls' Opens and 16s team have two wins each.

The Boys' 14s White team had a bye and unfortunately the Opens Boys' team have not had a game yet as Armidale forfeited.

The Boys' 16s team made it two from two with a 26-24 win over Barraba/Quirindi again.

It was a great start to the season and I am looking forward to another successful season of Rugby Union.

Diocese Cross Country, Golf and Tennis

On Friday 11 May, twenty-nine students travelled to Gunnedah to compete in the Diocesan Cross Country, Golf, or Tennis. Many students were a little stiff and sore after the College's Athletics Carnival the day before yet put in a great effort on the day. It was a cool and windy day testing conditions for all participants. The Cross Country course was challenging with plenty hills and tough running conditions. Across the age groups, there was some outstanding results with ten students qualifying for the NSWCCC Cross Country Championships at Eastern Creek in Sydney in June.

Congratulations to Georgia Simm and Jessica Clarke who were 14 and 17+ years Age Champions. Nathan Watson finished 2nd in the Open’s division narrowly behind the winner. Several other students finished in the top six including: Oscar Newsome, Hamish Sparke, Cameron Morris, Wunda Jaffer- Williams, Augustin Monet, Clementine Monet and Tyhla Condrick. Good luck to those who travel to Sydney for the NSWCCC Cross Country Championships.

In the Tennis, McCarthy was well represented with two boys' teams and two girls' teams. The girls' teams comprised of Laura and Alyssa Jeffery, Sophie Littlejohns and Holly Supple. The girls' teams finished second against some very strong opposition. Well done to the boys' tennis team of Connor Swift, Joshua Martin, Hayden Volk, Jack Munro and Darcy Walker, who all acquitted themselves well.

There was some great play in the Golf. All students enjoyed the game and developed their skills. Congratulations to Liam Thompson who won 'nearest the pin' with a brilliant shot. Thank you to the boys who showed great etiquette around the course including Joey Jamieson, Brendan Scott and Thomas Ferguson.

Mr Brad Mitchell - Sports Coordinator

McCarthy Parents Association