Sports Report

Blackburn High School celebrated yet another successful year at inter-school sports. Students enthusiastically participated, showcasing exceptional success, in a number of team and individual sporting competitions. From sign-ups to final matches, students exhibited pride in representing the school at the inter-school sport level.

By week 3, the year 7 and 8 students had concluded their Whitehorse division competitions, braving the weather on the cricket pitch and tennis courts.

As term 4 concluded, achievements thrived at Regional, State and National levels.

Eastern Metro Regional participating teams

Girls inter cricket, year 7 boys basketball, inter boys table tennis, year 7 boys cricket, won their division competition earlier in the year and competed in EMR this term.

Eastern Metro Regional Runners Up

Inter girls hockey, year 8 boys hockey, year 7 girls table tennis, year 7 girls volleyball, year 7 girls basketball won their pool and made it to the EMR final.

Eastern Metro Regional Winners

Year 8 boys baseball, year 8 girls hockey, year 8 boys volleyball and year 8 boys basketball won the EMR competition and progressing through to the State final.

State Champions

A huge congratulations to the year 8 girls hockey team for winning a back to back State title, and the year 8 boys basketball team gaining the title for 2023. Read more about this exciting competition below!

Eastern Metro Regional Athletics

Individual accomplishments were equally impressive in Term 4. Fantastic achievement by the Blackburn 60 students who attended the EMR athletics competition, the school medaled in 30 events, with 5 students progressing through the state competition.

Finn C - 3rd Hurdles

Arian T - 1st Hurdles & 1st triple jump

Nathania M - 2nd Hurdles

Lilly G - 3rd Hurdles

Hugo D - 3rd Javelin

Charlotte F - 2nd 800m

Tom L - 2nd 800m & 1st 1500m

Amalia O - 2nd hurdles

Joe K - 3rd long jump & 3rd discuss

Chloe L - 1st high jump, 800m and 400m

Imogen C - 3rd 100m & 200m

Charlie W - 1st 800m and 3rd 200m

Mason P - 2nd 800m

Darcy M - 3rd shot put

Hamish C - 2nd discuss

Jade M - 3rd discuss

Nathan K - 1st shot put

Akeen G - 3rd 400m

Chelsea D - 2nd 400m

Natika J -2nd 400m

13 girls relay (Marlo, Zita, Dhanvi & Chloe) 2nd

15 girls relay (Cheryl, Naima, Chelsea D and Sienna)

State Athletics

Chloe Linnett (1st - 400m & 800m, 2nd high jump), Tom Linnet (2nd - 1500m), Charlie Wilson (2nd - 800m), Arian Thalakada (4th hurdles and triple jump) and Nathan Ko (shot put).

Australian All Schools Athletics Competition

At the All Schools National Competition Thomas Linnet (year 8) came 1st in the 1500m and 7th in the 800m. Chloe Linnet (year 7) finished 1st in the 800m, 3rd in the 400m, 4th in the High Jump. It is a fantastic achievement to make it to this competition, such an incredible performance by the both of them.

I would like to give a final congratulations to all our dedicated students for contributing to an outstanding year in Blackburn High School Sport. The efforts by all student players and coaches was outstanding.

Lauren Van Der Westhuizen

Interschool Sport Coordinator

The year 8 girls headed to Footscray for the state hockey finals. The team had been practising before school on Wednesday morning and their spirits were high. The first game was against Alamanda. They possessed strong defensive skills, but our attacking skills and teamwork were much stronger. Samara scored the 1st goal from a penalty corner while Anabel scored the 2nd goal after a great pass from Samara. Sachi scored from the left post for the 3rd goal while Lavinia passed to Sachi at the left post for 4th goal. This meant we had a 4-0 lead heading into halftime. In the 2nd half, Mahsa was on fire and scored the first goal while Samara hit a strong hit towards the goal that allowed Anabel to score on a deflection. Brooke, Jess, Bella and Lacey were solid in defence, while Amelia stopped the only forward attempt from the opposition. A massive 6-0 win for our first pool match. Game 2 was against Drouin, who also had a convincing win in the first round. We started the game with a mouthguard dilemma. Jenny misplaced her blue mouthguard. Unfortunately, our finding skills are not the same as our hockey prowess and Mr Pas needed to come to the rescue with a spare. It must have been the motivation that Jen needed as her run and passing were amazing. Chelsea was a standout through the centre while the backline again handled anything that came their way, Anabel scored the first goal from a corner and Mahsa quickly followed up with a tap-in from the corner. Mahsa scored again from a hit from the front of the goal, which was followed by a sensational reverse sweep goal. It was a strong lead of 4-0 at halftime. The message for the second half was to conserve energy. It was hot. The girls were able to do this and managed to score. Siya was able to tap in from the left post after a great run from Sachi. All in all, it was another strong win, 5-0. Game 3 was against Bendigo Southeast. Due to the heat, the game was shortened to two 10-minute halves. Again, the message was to conserve energy as we were likely heading into the state grand final. It was a magnificent team effort in trying conditions. Anabel was first to score while Mahsa pushed a cross pass to Sachi for a nice tip-in for the second goal. The final goal of the first half was by Mahsa who tapped in off a Samara hit. In the second half, Mahsa played to Siya for a nice goal while Siya again scored with a fantastic team goal. Another great win of 5-0. To the state final we progressed where we met Melbourne Girls Grammar. Melbourne came out strong and scored within the first ten minutes. Blackburn regrouped at the first drink break and pulled out the best hockey they had played all tournament. The teamwork, positioning and passing were amazing! Samara scored two sensational goals to go into halftime with a 2-1 lead. Chelsea and Jenny ran strong through the centre with sensational tackling, Samara put on a clinic with her classy skills. Lavinia was in all the perfect positions while Siya, Sachi, Anabel and Mahsa were fantastic in the forward half. Brooke, Jess, Bella and Lacey were rock solid in defence while Amelia was superb as the goalie. Samara scored another two stylish goals in the second half. All the momentum was with Blackburn. The girls were truly amazing. Their effort, sportsmanship, and support for one another were sensational and they were fantastic ambassadors for the school.

State champions 2023!!!

BHS INTERMEDIATE GIRLS CRICKET

On Tuesday, 17th October BHS Intermediate girls were convincingly defeated by a more experienced and talented Mount Waverley SC in the EMR at Leigh Park. Unfortunately, the team was decimated prior to the game with 5 girls withdrawing late leaving BHS to field a team with only 7 players. All players had an opportunity to bat, bowled 1-3 overs each and did plenty of fielding. Despite the loss, the girls had a great day out with their friends with many of them playing their first ever game of cricket. Hopefully, this will not be their last game and they all sign up to play in 2024. Special thanks to Assistant Coach, Ms Kiara Bloomfield.

BHS 6/5 (6 overs) were defeated by Mount Waverley SC 2/133 (12 overs)

Highlights: Sienna Casey’s clean bowled wicket, Olive Clifford’s caught & bowled, Sarah McGrath’s wicket keeping.

Mr Couzens

HPE Teacher

Year 7 Boys Cricket SSV Whitehorse Division

On Friday 13th October, 12 students from Year 7 played in a round-robin limited-overs tournament at Koonung Reserve in the SSV Whitehorse Division. Conditions were more akin to a winter sport with below average temperatures and consistent drizzle leaving the 142-gram kookaburra 2-piece leather ball more like a piece of wet soap.

Round 1: BHS 4/78 (13 overs) defeated EDSC 5/63 (13 overs)

Highlights: Roman Pritenang 31*, Camden Walters 16, Extra’s 23, Tristan Jones 3/12 (3)

Round 2: BHS 6/66 (14 overs) defeated Box Hill HS 1/55 (15 overs)

Highlights: Camden Walters 31*, Pannaga Honnour 16

BHS played well with two relatively comfortable wins despite some poor fielding with a number of dropped catches. In the first game against EDSC, Roman and Camden batted superbly in a rear-guard action after BHS was in early trouble at 2/12. A 50-run 3rd wicket partnership in only 6 overs gave BHS a very defendable score. Opening bowler, Tristan executed the pregame plan to perfection bowling full and straight with the new ball and was rewarded for taking 3 wickets. The final against Box Hill HS was played in very wet conditions. Box Hill batted first and only made 55 off their allotted 15 overs. BHS made short work of the total chasing it down with 5 overs remaining. Once again, Camden led the way with a brisk 31*. Pannaga’s aggressive 16 put the icing on the cake. BHS look forward to the next challenge on Friday, 27th October.

Pannaga and Camden captained the team very well and made sure all players had an opportunity to bat or bowl. The boys enjoyed their day with their friends playing Australia’s favourite summer sport. Thank you to assistant coaches Mr Beniwal, James Elliot (Year 10) and Partaj Dhaliwal (Year 9).

Mr Couzens - HPE Teacher

Year 7 Boys Cricket EMR

Please watch this awesome video of the day that has been created by Mr Harsh Beniwal.

On Tuesday 31st October, BHS year 7 boys played at Hislop Reserve in the EMR. BHS batted first versus Mount Waverley. Camden and Liam got us off to a great start putting on a 25-run partnership in the first 5 overs. Liam put a high value on his wicket showing a rock-solid defence. Camden on the other hand played the aggressor role hitting a huge 6 over midwicket and a powerful cut shot over point. Roman at number 3 followed suit with a 6 over point and a boundary. After the allotted 13 overs BHS made a respectable 2/48. Unfortunately, Mount Waverley came out swinging and passed BHS's score after only 3 overs smashing 3 6’s and 4 4’s. Mount Waverley were simply too good. BHS then had an impromptu practice match against Camberwell HS. BHS reversed their batting lineup to ensure all players had an opportunity to bat. The top order collapsed with the scorecard reading: 0, 0, 1 retired, 0, 0. Tristan 11 retired, Pannaga 14* and Camden 14* batted well in the late overs to set a reasonable score of 62 (11 overs). Camberwell made short work of the score passing BHS total in 6 overs despite 2 direct-hit runouts courtesy of some outstanding fielding from Pannaga.

Round 1: BHS 2/48 (13 overs) were defeated by Mount Waverley SC 1/96 (13 overs)

Highlights: Roman 12, Camden 10, Liam 4 retired, extra’s 13, Anthony 1 wicket

Practice game: BHS 5/62 (11 overs) were defeated by Camberwell HS 6/90 (11 overs)

Highlights: Camden 14*, Pannaga 14 and 2 direct hit run outs, Tristan 11 retired, Edward 1 wicket, Anthony 1 wicket, Roman 1 wicket

Despite the results, the boys enjoyed their day in the sun with their friends playing Australia’s favourite summer sport. Thank you to assistant coaches Ms Kiara Bloomfield, James Elliot (Year 10) and Partaj Dhaliwal (Year 9), and Mr Bruce Wolstenholme for driving the bus.

Mr Couzens - HPE Teacher

Year 8 Boys Cricket SSV Whitehorse Division

On Thursday 19th October, BHS Year 8 Boys played in a round-robin limited-overs tournament at Koonung Reserve in the SSV Whitehorse Division. Conditions were perfect for cricket: fine, sunny, and 25 degrees. BHS, unfortunately, lost both games to EDSC and BHHS who were the better team(s) on the day. BHS conceded too many extras and bowled too short and wide with the ball. With the bat, BHS was unable to set a defendable score. Despite the losses, the boys enjoyed playing a competitive game of cricket with their friends. Special thank you to Harvey I and Ned J (Year 11 students) who did a brilliant job umpiring, scoring, and coaching.

Round 1: BHS 8/46 (13 overs) defeated EDSC 1/60 (13 overs)

Highlights: Max M 8, Kai J 7*, Nikku S 6, Charlie O 5

Round 2: BHS 7/52 (15 overs) were defeated by Box Hill HS 4/59 (15 overs)

Highlights: Xavier A 13, Max M 8, Nikku S 6 and 1 wicket, Luca CH 1 wicket, Kai J 1 wicket

Mr Couzens - HPE Teacher

Year 8 & 9 PE SEPEP Champions

In Term 4, students in Years 8 & 9 took part in a SEPEP (Sports Education in Physical Education Program) unit in their Physical Education classes. SEPEP is based around the philosophy that community sport involvement (structured teams and competitions) has the potential to breed in its participants leadership, responsibility, ownership, dedication, competence, and commitment as well as physical, social and cognitive skills. Students are put in the driver’s seat fulfilling the roles associated with managing a sports competition such as umpires/referees, scorers, equipment managers and coaches/captains. Mr Couzens’ & Mr Conte’s Year 8HPE class played Softball over a 7 lesson round-robin and Mr Couzens’ & Mr H’s Year 9HPE class played Cricket over a 9 lesson round-robin. Congratulations to the Champion teams pictured below.

Graduation Celebration 2023