Sport

Chess

Twenty of our students recently represented the College at the Northern Star Chess Tournament held at Kryal Castle, competing against 180 students from nine schools.

the team performed extremely well throughout the day, sitting in second place for much of the competition before finishing a commendable fourth overall. 

Congratulations to all involved on their efforts, with special mention to Year 9 student Lachlan Hill, who achieved a High Distinction. We also extend our thanks to Marcus Ryan and Sean Wiegall for their valued support on the day.

Cricket

Victoria Premier Schools Shield

Our 1st XI Cricketers won the Cricket Victoria Premier Schools Shield at Endeavour Hills, for what we believe is the first time in our school's history. The Premier Schools Shield brings together the winning schools from eight different school sport associations.

The boys were challenged and lost their first match and only just qualified for the final when they chased down 208 to defeat the unbeaten St Monica's College Epping. In the final they played fellow ACC team St Bede's College, who had not lost a game all term. 

St Bede's were bowled out for 141, after losing their last eight wickets for only 19 runs. Lachlan Rea and Harry Scardamaglia then made an opening partnership of 117 from only 13 overs. Harry, along with Aayush Ahlawat, then cruised to victory from only 17.1 overs for a nine wicket victory.

We congratulate the following students on this wonderful achievement:

Jack McMahon (Capt)

Lachlan Rea (Capt)

Harry Scardamaglia

Oliver Behrens

Albie Cheeseman

Harry Hoffman

Xavier Coutts

Will Chamings

Hugh Weidemann

Campbell McPhan

Luke Weidemann

Henry Hopkinson

Aayush Ahlawat

Special thanks to Andrew Chamings and Brendan Monaghan who attended the event, as well as Simon Dwyer and Brock Healy for their organisation.

Athletics

Stawell Gift

Easter 2026 saw two current and one past SPC student chase down success at Central Park, Stawell. Year 7 student Sidney Porter competed in the mixed underage Little Athletics 100m event and qualified for the final. With the front marker another 11m ahead, Sidney ran a terrific time to chase down the field. Please see Sidney’s results below.

Year 9 student Elliott Stott and Year 12 student Jett Spratling contested the U18 boys 100m event. Whilst Elliott was run out in his heat, Jett qualified for the semi-final. He then went on to compete in another three different Open events, whilst still underage, and had a very busy weekend of running. Please see Jett’s results below.

Former SPC student Fraser Stott (SPC 2019-2024) was a determined schoolboy sprinter and since finishing school, has maintained this training discipline with his coach, Rod Mathews, 1999 Stawell Gift Winner and local school teacher. Fraser raced seven times in three days in the Open 70m, 120m and 400m. This culminated on Easter Monday when Fraser won his first sash at Stawell in the Backmarkers 400m, together with a sash, a trophy and a handsome cheque for his efforts. Please see Fraser’s results below.

Australian Athletics Junior (Under Age) Championships

Also, during the holidays we had two students travel to the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in Brisbane, to compete at the underage Australian Athletics Championships.

Year 10 student Ollie Ryan ran in the boys U16 3k final and finished in 7th place in a time of 9:06.86min while Year 8 student, Archer Spackman, was lucky to remain on his feet to complete the U.15 2km steeplechase in 6.48.31min, after being tripped by another competitor—a true testament of his grit and maturity to finish the race strongly in 6th place. 

Archer also qualified to run the 800m and raced into 5th place in his heat in a time of 2.08.43min. Both Ollie and Archer represent SPC in both Athletics and Cross Country and race over a variety of track, road and cross-country distances.

Ballarat Marathon

Last weekend, many SPC students and staff members took on the world at the third edition of the Ballarat Marathon running festival. Well done to all who participated—your efforts and results are to be commended. 

Special shout-out to the following students: 

• Year 12 student Tyler Medlyn who ran his first marathon in a time of 2.59.21hrs to come fourth in the Under 19 age group
• Year 9 student Ollie Ryan who came second in the Under 16 Elite Mile with a time of 4.36min
• Year 8 student Archer Spackman who came second in the Under 19 5km with a time of 17.09min. Fun fact: Archer's older brother, Year 11 student Flynn Spackman, also competed in the Under 19 5km race, finishing 19th in a time of 20.35min. 
• Year 11 student Isaac Gillett, who came sixth in the Under 19 10km race with a time of 36.41min

— Mrs Amanda Rossato, Athletics Coordinator