Upcoming Sporting Dates

Division Cross Country - Friday 22nd May (for yr 3-6's qualifying on from our school cross country) - NOTE RECENT DATE CHANGE
Regional Cross Country- Tuesday 2nd June (for yr 4-6's qualifying on from our school cross country)

SSV State Swimming Championship

Today, we had 11 students competing at the State swimming championship in Melbourne. They all competed brilliantly all while soaking in the amazing atmosphere that comes with this level of competition. Well done to our students for representing the school so well.

Individual Results

Seb Rodda – Boys 9–10 Backstroke - 5th
Eloise Rodda – Girls 12–13 Backstroke - 7th
Josh Rodda – Boys 12–13 Backstroke - 8th
Josh Rodda – Boys 12–13 Breaststroke - 6th
Fleur Muling – Girls 9–10 Breaststroke - 5th

Relay Results

Girls 11 Years Freestyle Relay - 8th
- Harper Lockhart, Lucy Fidler, Sienna Royden, Jasmin Marshall
Girls 9–10 Freestyle Relay - 8th
- Charlie Rodda, Madeline Bridge, Billie Fidler, Fleur Muling

In the coming weeks we will hear from our swim Captains, who will take us through the teams' experience.

SSV Cricket trial

Late last term we were waiting for the trial outcome. Over the holidays, the families were informed of who would progress onto the 2nd trial. Congratulations to all boys on your representation, and all the best to Aiden McDermott who will move onto the next stage.

SSV Netball trial

Yesterday, Bella Hope, Albie Tyler, and Belle Worthington represented our school at the SSV netball trials. With a very strong pool of talented players, the competition was incredibly tough.

All three girls gave their absolute best, and we’re thrilled to share that Bella and Albie have progressed to the next stage of trials. Well done, girls, for representing the school so beautifully, and best of luck to Bella and Albie for the second trial!

🐉 Bendigo Dragon Mile 2026

St Francis of the Fields had a fantastic showing across all age groups, with strong participation and several podium finishes!

🏃‍♀️ Mini Mile – Girls (Grade 4 & Under)

A brilliant effort from our youngest runners, led by a podium finish:

🥉 Sophie Coultas – 3rd (3:13.3)

4th – Luca Meyer (3:13.9)

12th – Stella Harrington (3:32.3)

16th – Sienna Mangan (3:40.4)

21st – Pia Meyer (3:53.1)

26th – Ruby Flood (4:00.1)

27th – Pearl Jones (4:01.0)

32nd – Estelle Ciancio (4:19.6)

🏃‍♂️ Mini Mile – Boys (Grade 4 & Under)

Outstanding depth and a podium performance:

🥈 Gus Arundell – 2nd (2:43.7)

5th – Spencer Pearce (2:51.2)

12th – Leo Mangan (3:04.0)

24th – Levi Pearce (3:15.0)

28th – Kade Jones (3:20.6)

29th – Jed Arundell (3:21.5)

34th – Joel Coultas (3:34.0)

40th – Joel Ludeman (3:39.4)

🏃‍♀️ Primary (Grade 5 & 6) – Girls

Strong performances at the pointy end of the field:

🥉 Eadie Willis – 3rd (6:09.8)

4th – Ada Emmerson (6:10.0)

6th – Airlie Intamanon (6:30.6)

13th – Adelaide Ciancio (7:48.8)

16th – Aaliyah O’Meara (8:03.7)

🏃‍♂️ Primary (Grade 5 & 6) – Boys

Top 10 finishes against a very competitive field:

8th – Henry Harrington (5:56.1)

10th – Quade Baker (6:00.9)

A huge congratulations to all our runners who represented St Francis of the Fields with determination and pride.

2026 BMX National Championships

Riley Djuric (5W)

On Thursday 16th April, Riley Djuric competed at the 2026 BMX National Championships held at Shepparton BMX Club. This year’s event was the largest in Australian BMX history, with over 3,000 riders from across the country taking part in the week-long competition.

Racing in the highly competitive 20” 11 Boys category, Riley competed against a strong field of 73 riders. Throughout the day, he progressed through three motos, an eighth final, and a quarter final, demonstrating consistency and composure under pressure.

Riley finished an impressive 18th overall, earning qualification for the BMX World Championships in Brisbane this July. This is a fantastic achievement in a very competitive field, well done, Riley & all the best for July!!

Adele McKinley (6M)

Over the school holidays, the Australian National BMX Championships were held in Shepparton, Victoria. This was a huge event, with 2,294 riders from all over Australia, including Olympic gold medallists and world champions.

On Thursday Adele competed against 36 of the fastest girls in the country. She rode incredibly well, making it all the way to the semi-finals and finishing 11th overall. Because of this amazing result, she has qualified to represent Australia at the 2026 World BMX Championships in Brisbane, where she will compete against riders from all over the world in July.

On Saturday, Adele also raced in the cruiser class, competing against 35 of the fastest 11–12-year-olds. Once again, she made it to the semi-finals and finished 10th overall, qualifying to represent Australia in the 12 and under category at the 2026 World BMX championships in Brisbane.

Adele has worked extremely hard to achieve these results and to be able to represent Australia not once but twice in the sport she loves is a dream come true.

Amazing Adele, all the best in July!

Equestrian Grand Nationals & State Interschool Titles

Madeline Bridge (4S) recently competed at the Grand Nationals in Sydney—an incredible event where around 30 of the top riders in Australia line up in each section. Across her classes, she found herself competing against both Under 18 riders and experienced adults, making it a fantastic challenge and learning opportunity.

Her results were outstanding, finishing with a 3rd place, a 5th place, and four top-10 finishes. She was also invited to ride in the prestigious Night of Champions—an honour and a wonderful experience to be part of. Over the course of eight days, Madeline rode an impressive seven different horses, including two of her own and five for other owners, showcasing her versatility and adaptability.

Not long after returning home, Madeline represented St Francis at the State Interschool Titles held at Boneo — where the conditions were absolutely freezing! With the event so close to Nationals, she wasn’t able to take her usual competition horses, instead riding a young pony with only one previous competition under its belt. Despite this, she delivered an incredible performance, finishing Reserve Champion in the Primary Show Hunter and qualifying for Nationals in September representing St Francis.

A fantastic effort by Madeline and a great reflection of her hard work, resilience, and willingness to take on new challenges.

Netball Academy Tournament

On Sunday we had 6 girls go to Shepperton for the Bendigo Netball Academy Tournament. These girls have been working verry hard by training every Wednesday night.

We got split into 2 teams. In the Blue Team we had Lotti Poppy and Bella. Winning 3 games and Loosing 4. In the gold team we had Albie Belle and Elke. Winning 4 games and loosing 4 games. Well done to these girls for their amazing effort and sportsmanship.

By Lotti Childs

Cross Country Preparation in Term 2

This will continue throughout term 2 and as our successful students' progress through the competitions (divisional, regional and state cross country). However, any student is still welcome to join; they don’t have to compete at these school competitions to come along.

Students are encouraged to check the PE notice board outside the shed for days and times.

PE Awards

Each assembly week, we present a tuck-shop award.

The criterion for receiving these awards is very straightforward. Students demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, effort, and attitude will be the prime candidates for these awards.

Congratulations:

Cherise Thorne
Ava Curtain

You will be presented with these at the next assembly.

Other important dates in 2026

Swimming

Junior Swimming: Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5, Friday 6 Nov

Cross Country

Division Cross Country (Year 3-6’s): Friday 22 May
Regional Cross Country (St Arnaud): Tuesday 2 June
State Cross Country (Melbourne): Thursday 16 July

Athletics

School Athletics Sports (3-6’s): Friday 24 July
Catholic Athletics Championship: TBC
Divisional Athletics Championship: Monday 14 Sept
Regional Athletics Championship: Monday 12 Oct
School Athletic Sports (Fdn- Year 2) on the oval 9.15-11am: Friday 30 Oct
State Athletics Championship (Melbourne): Thursday 5 Nov

Sporting News

Parents, if you have sporting news that should be shared in the newsletter, please send through a completed write up and picture to:

dcoates@sfstrathfieldsaye.catholic.edu.au

Danielle Coates - PE Coordinator

St Francis Netball Club Fundraiser

Community Sporting notices

P & F News