PE News....

Upcoming Sporting Dates

• Regional Athletics (those qualifying on from the Divisional School Athletics) Monday 13 October 
• Divisional Cricket Blast (year 6 only) *There will be a date change to early November TBC
• Junior (Fdn - Yr2) Athletic Sports Morning (here at school on the oval) Friday 31 October
• Fdn - Yr 2 Swim Program - 3rd, 4th, 6th & 7th November *Note slight date alteration  
• State Athletics Championships- Melbourne 6 November    

Australian Cross Country Championships 2025                                                      

Last week, Lyla Edwards represented St Francis and Team Victoria at the National Cross-Country Championships in Runaway Bay, Queensland. 

• Lyla placed 12th in her 3km race earlier in the week. 

• The Victorian girls’ team earned a silver medal, awarded to the first four highest-ranked runners from each state. 

• Lyla then ran a very strong 5th leg in the team relay, helping her team secure another silver medal! 

We are incredibly proud of Lyla’s achievements. Be sure to congratulate her when you see her around school! 

Lyla’s Experience 

On Sunday the 7th of September, we had our opening ceremony at Runaway Bay Sports Centre on the Gold Coast. At the opening ceremony we walked out as Team Victoria. 

The next day we had our individual race which is against all States from around Australia. For my individual race I set my goal to beat my last National place which was 15th, and I came 12th so I was very happy that I accomplished that. In the end the 12-year-old girls Victorian team ended up with a silver team medal. Which was an improvement from last year's result which was a bronze medal. 

On the following Tuesday, all the States went to Sea World, they took us all to see the dolphin presentation, which was awesome, it was so much fun. 

After we all had a rest following a big day at Sea World we were back at the Sports Centre and starting our team relays on Wednesday morning. My team did really well placing 2nd in our relays. All six girls in my team had to run 1500 metres each, we all ran our hardest to try to hold on to 2nd place, we were all thrilled to get another silver medal. 

Following this we ended our 2025 cross country nationals with a closing ceremony.  

Throughout my time at Nationals I formed so many new friendships and met people from all over the country, I had an amazing experience!  

 By Lyla Edwards 6M 

Divisional Basketball     

Boys

Nervousness overwhelmed us rapidly, a high-tension game was what we came for and Marist exceeded our expectations. Although we were the number one prospect doesn’t mean pressure is irrelevant. 

Whistle ringing throughout the stadium, whilst we were approaching the court the ball was up. We had an extremely shaky start bringing scores closer. Our starting lineup was dominant (Lenny Anderson, Archie Dickson, Jude Place, Darcy Kanzamar and Jobe Doyle). Then the bench was up all (Edward Perry, Jaxon Blacker, Nash Dickson, Asher Mitchell and River Davies) Fortunately they held the scores down ending with 4-8 St Francis win. 

Every game was essential to our success. Huntley had a crack but St Francis proved to be formidable Heathcote was a no show getting us another win Kennington missing out by a meniscal margin. Finally, Victory. If we win this match we are in the finals all confidence pressure and sportsmanship was needed in this game. 

Whistle blown, ball up. It’s everybody’s game. Our starting lineup came of to a rough start letting Victory’s star player wreak havoc from the three point line although this wasn’t ideal we kept things close trailing behind them all game. Now the bench stepped up they caught back up except Victory’s star player got away from us with constant three pointers slowly losing our confidence. We lost… We could only cling on to that tiny bit of hope we’d get through, Kennington got in instead of us making it by 10%. 

A big thank you to: Ebony Doyle for coaching us, Mr Zera for assisting the day, Abbi O’Connor for supporting us, Mrs Coates for organising the day and Mrs Zealley for supporting, helping & assisting. 

By Asher Mitchell 6R & Archie Dickson 6C 

Absent from picture- Jobe Doyle & River Davies  

Girls

On Friday the 5th of September we competed in the girls’ basketball carnival. We started by leaving the school and heading to the red energy arena straight away. As soon as we arrived at the stadium we prepared for our first game that was against Kangaroo Flat. We had a good start to the day and came out with the win. 

After a small break we took the court to play St Josephs it was a harder game, but we got away in the end to steal the win. Shortly after we were ready to play again in our third game vs Kennington primary. We knew that this would be one of our harder games, but we managed to keep on top of them and get the win. 

With a quick turn-around we got ready to take on Golden Square. They were an easier opponent which gave us another good win. In our fifth game we took on White Hills primary and played well which gave us another strong win. Heading into our last game we played Marist, which was a competitive game, but we came out on top to take another win. We prepared for finals with confidence knowing we had finished on top of the ladder in our pool. 

As we prepared for the semi-final vs Quarry Hill, we had a lot of confidence that we could beat this team. It was a tough game, but we managed to steal the win. Next was the grand final against our rivals St Therese’s. Coming into the game we knew they would be strong, so we warmed up well and took the court. 

We started the game well and so did St Therese’s by the end of the game it was a draw so into overtime we went. the overtime went for 3 minutes. After those three minutes it was another tie so into double overtime we went. The double overtime was so intense but still ended up in another draw. So, into triple overtime we went. Throughout the game we worked so hard and finally ended up with the win.  After triple overtime we ended up winning by three points. 

A big thankyou to our couches Dan Rogers and Clinton McSwain. We couldn’t have done it without you putting in your time to coach and train us. THANKYOU. A big thank you also to Mrs Zealley for supporting us on the day & Mrs Coates for organising the day. 

By Chloe McSwain 6C & Eme Arundell 6C - Basketball Captains 

St Francis Falcons Girls Football Team - Grand Final 

The Big Game 

We arrived Friday the 12th of September to our big game with mixed feelings, both nervous but excited to come up against and play St Therese’s, our rivals!! We got on the field with our pump-up tunes and started warming up. The crowd got bigger as we ran through our mighty green and blue banner. We started fierce with our strongest positions. We had a strong backline, a mighty forward and fierce midfield. We stood our ground keeping them scoreless throughout the first quarter. 

Second quarter we were ready. We were determined and we knew what we were up against. Layla snags our first goal. But St Therese's where quick to fight back. They kicked some more goals in the third quarter. Fourth quarter came we were losing but had hoped to come back. We played our hearts out with awesome pressure but sadly the siren rang, and St Therese's got the win. We tried our best and had lots of fun. We finished the night with some drinks and food at Braidies Tavern. 

We would like to thank our wonderful coach - Danny, our team manager, and the parents who volunteered their time for us. Thank you to everyone who came and supported us, from family and friends to school staff. We felt very supported - Thankyou. 

Our girls put up a great fight and certainly made them earn their win. They played in the spirit of the game and really relished the time they had out there together. Congratulations girls! 

Divisional Athletics

On Monday, a strong team of students headed to the Bendigo Athletics Track to compete in the Divisional Championships. It was a fantastic day with plenty of success! 

It was wonderful to see students applying themselves in their preparation and embracing every opportunity to compete. Performances on the day were outstanding, but even more impressive was the effort, attitude, and support they showed one another. The school spirit on display was truly a highlight. 

We are incredibly proud of all our students and wish the very best of luck to those progressing through to Regionals. 

Top 3 Results

Level 3S - School Champion

On Sunday I competed in the Tumbling Schools Comp at Parmer's Gym and represented St. Francis of the Fields.  I scored first for St. Francis in Level 3S.  Our school was awarded School Champion for Level 3S.   

I then went on to compete at the Regionals Gymnastics Competition later that day with competitors from Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca and Deniliquin and came third in Level 3S for the region.   

By Maggie Mansfield 5ZS

State Netball

Yesterday, our wonderful Year 6 girls’ team headed to Melbourne for the State Netball Championship. They played incredibly well and showed great composure in some very tight matches. Talent was on display all over the court! 

What makes this team truly impressive goes beyond their playing ability — it’s the way they carry themselves, look out for one another, and offer constant support. 

The girls are an absolute credit to themselves, and we are so proud of them. 

A huge thank you goes out to all the amazing supporters who have been part of the girls’ journey- from their very first junior coaches to their winter team coach, Kristy Rogers, and the incredibly supportive parents who have cheered them on every step of the way. 

Special thanks to Mrs. Mangan for coaching the girls so beautifully, to Mrs. Zealley for her ever gentle and calming support, and to Mrs. Exell, who supported and encouraged them through the Division and Region competitions. We’re very blessed with so many wonderful staff members at St Francis- Thank you. 

We get to say it a lot in PE! But geez we’re proud of you girls!!! 

The St Francis Yr 6 girl’s netball team competed in the Victorian State Netball at Waverley Netball Centre Melbourne. Our first game we played Sacred Heart Colac. It was a good game. We started off a bit rusty but played well and came out on top with the win of 15-13. 

We had a half an hour to rest and get fueled up for the next game. Then our second game was our hardest game of the day ending in a draw 16 all against St Martin Rosanna. We played our easiest game for the day against Sacred Heart Yarrawonga winning by 22 points with the score ending in 30-8. That was our last pool game before finals, finishing on top of our pool. 

Heading into the semi-finals everyone was nervous, but prepared for the challenge, facing off against Loreto Mandville Hall. It was a rough match, but we handled it well, winning 23-17. Into the Grand-final we go! 

This was the most exciting time of the day, playing Croydon Hills. The game started off slow, but at half time we were doubling their score 12-6. With 12 minutes left of the game we put all we had into the final minutes, ending up with the win. 

We are STATE CHAMPIONS! 

A big thank you to Mrs. Mangan for coaching us, Kristy Rogers for assisting, Mrs. Zealley for her support, and Mrs. Coates for her support and organisation behind the scenes. 

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:  

• Audrey Brown 

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