Sport

2026 EHS House Swimming Carnival  

Our annual House Swimming Carnival was held on Friday 20 February, and was a fantastic celebration of participation, teamwork and house pride! From the moment students arrived in a sea of house colours, it was clear the day would be filled with energy, enthusiasm and friendly competition.

It was great to see a high level of student participation. Whether competing in the events, novelty games or cheering passionately from the sidelines, students embraced the opportunity to get involved and contribute to their house. The encouragement shown between peers was wonderful to see, with students supporting one another to step outside their comfort zones and give their best effort in the pool.

We were also thrilled to witness two of our students produce record-breaking performances on the day. Congratulations to Sam Hartley (Year 11, Everard House) and Ben Van Dijk (Year 10, Skipper House)  who etched their names into the record books with exceptional swims. Sam broke the school records in the 50m freestyle, 200m IM, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, while Ben broke the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly. Breaking House Carnival records is no small feat and is a testament to their dedication, training commitment and composure under pressure. Their achievements were celebrated poolside with huge applause from peers and staff, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already electric atmosphere.

The Year 12 Dress-Up Parade once again did not disappoint! Our senior students brought creativity, humour and plenty of flair to the pool deck, proudly showcasing their costumes and setting the tone for a memorable final carnival. Their leadership and willingness to fully embrace the spirit of the day added to the vibrant atmosphere and created lasting memories for the cohort.

Another crowd favourite was the Staff vs Year 12 Noodle Relay. With plenty of laughs, competitive spirit and questionable technique on display, the race had the entire venue cheering. It was fantastic to see staff and students sharing in the fun and building positive connections outside the classroom. 

A special congratulations to our Age Champions, who demonstrated exceptional consistency, determination and skill across their events. To earn the title of Age Champion requires not only talent, but also resilience, versatility and a willingness to step up across multiple races throughout the day. These students accumulated points through outstanding performances and consistently gave their best for their house. Their achievements reflect their dedication to training and their positive competitive spirit, and they should be incredibly proud of their efforts at this year’s carnival. 

Students who won their events have been invited to represent Eltham High School at the upcoming Nillumbik/Banyule District Swimming Sports which will be held on Friday March 6 at Doncaster Aquarena.  

Everard once again proved a powerhouse in the pool, dominating the water with a series of outstanding performances across the day. With strength, depth and consistency across multiple age groups and events. It was an impressive display of talent and teamwork that continues to make Everard a force to be reckoned with at our swimming carnival.

Final house points were as follows:

1st place:          EVERARD          767

2nd place:         SKIPPER          360      

3rd place:          TONER               322

4th place:          PAKANA            312

Events like this simply would not be possible without the incredible support and hard work of our staff. From early set-up and timekeeping to marshalling, recording results and supervising students, their organisation and commitment ensured the day ran smoothly and safely. We are extremely grateful for their dedication.

Overall, the House Swimming Carnival was a true celebration of community spirit. Thank you to all students and staff for making the day such a success — we are already looking forward to next year!  

BREE PASCOE, Sports Coordinator