House Athletics

Another year and another fantastic House Athletics Carnival. Whilst the weather was mixed this did not deter the students enabling some great competition with a large group of enthusiastic, passionate and motivated students ready to try their best for claim house victory. Warrandyte High School staff and students descended on Doncaster Athletics Track full of colour and with loud voices ready to run, jump, throw and cheer their houses to victory. The participation level was high and the day extremely busy. Many events were tightly contested with 5 new records being re-written. There were some amazing performances by many students with a special mention to Oli Oldfield who smashed 4 14-year-old female records (400m which has stood since 2003, triple jump which has stood since 1987, 1500m which has stood since 1985 and 800m which has stood since 2003) and Jacob Close who smashed the 20yr old high jump record that stood since 2009. Given the length of the previous records I am sure these records will be written in Warrandyte history for many years to come. It was a fantastic effort from all students involved gaining valuable points for their house. 

In the end it was a closely contested day with final results coming down to final events and relays. Stiggant were awarded House Athletics Champions for 2024 for the 2nd year running. Congratulations Stiggant.

The final points tally was:

Stiggant – 1021

Newman – 895 

Anderson – 824

Michel – 608

In addition, a House Athletics Champion Trophy was awarded to one student from each house. These students were recognized for gaining the greatest number of points for their house and for their eager participation on the day.

The House Athletics Champions were:

Stiggant – Olivia Valentine

Newman – Mia Fadel

Anderson – Callum Ralston

Michel – Oli Oldfield

Students who won an event will now progress through to the Mullum Division Athletics competition being held later in term 3. We wish all these students the best of luck and am sure they will challenge themselves to give 100% and represent the school with pride. Hopefully some of these students can also put their names in the record books for the Mullum Division for some time to come to. 

The day is not only about recognising athletic success but also about building house spirit, leadership and cross year level friendships for all students as well as students and teachers building relationship outside the classroom setting. As part of this students were awarded as being best dressed on the day. There were many students recognised for the amazing costumes of which some included homemade inventions, coloured hair and group themes.  Amongst the amazing costumes the eventual winners were Gabby Hodgson, Nimo Shirvanzadeh, Kane Jasic, Cambell Stark, Mark Fadel, Nye-Ann Tauliakiono, Isis Barry, Kaleb Carnes, Thompson Tran, Rafael Martini, Heidi Pinder, Lavinia Wellesley, Ethan Spence, Ned Welsh, Kyan Swenson, Jacob Close and Harrison Stoppa.   

A special mention must be made of the year 12 students who went way beyond expectations with their costumes. It was fantastic to see so many of them involved both on and off the track and thoroughly enjoying their last house competition. 

At the athletics sports students are not only recognised for their sporting abilities but also their contribution to their team and demonstration of leadership skills. The four house captains and school captains must be commended on their efforts on the day to encourage all students. Students from all houses and year levels were also able to demonstrate their leadership skills by helping at events by undertaking roles such as racking, measuring, handing round snacks and warm drinks to staff running events and helping with timing. This enabled those students not as keen to participate in events to still gain valuable points to their house. A special thank you to all students who helped out at events on the day. Student helpers make the day run a lot smoother and the teachers were greatly appreciative of your help.

A big thank you also goes to all the staff who contributed to making the 2024 House Athletics Carnival a successful and enjoyable day. It was an extremely busy day for all staff either running events, recording results, marshalling students, supervising students or encouraging all students to do their best. 

I look forward to seeing the students compete at the Divisional athletics and building on our house competition moving forward into 2025.