It feels like an eternity but only 4 weeks ago on Friday the 5th of July we held our annual athletics carnival.

The day began with a warm-up lap in our best dressed house colours. This is new to our day with the opportunity for all our students to parade their costumes.

All warm, we started our track program. From the long laps of the 800m and 400m into the 100m sprints and concluding with the 200m sprints all students participated with commitment and dedication. We even had enough students to run a heat in the smaller age group which is very exciting. Two heats were run taking the top 6 times to have a 100m final which was very exciting for all.

A short morning tea break allowed our students to purchase delicious food from the canteen and a very big thank you to Cassie Turner and Rheni Crowley for running the canteen all day.

We also snuck in our Cheer Competition and the judging of our two new categories this carnival. The Best Dressed tent and the Best Decorated tent.

It was great to see all the effort the students had put into these categories and the spirit it demonstrated and the passion to win points for their houses. Once again, our Grandparents stepped in to make the tough decisions. Gleeson winning the Cheering Competition with Daly taking out the Best Decorated tent and Best Costumes.

Moving along quickly we moved into our Field Event Rotations. Once, again the students attempted all the field events and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and team spirit which is to be commended.

Our lunch break allowed us to run a new event this year. The 1500m. With only expecting a few students to participate we were pleasantly surprised to see over half the school join in. Not only did they participate but they gave it a fair crack and all students completed the race. Well done to everyone.

Finally, the relays. Our parents did a sterling job at all participating in the relays and also thank you to our incredible parent cohort with your commitment to your children and contributing to the running of the day the staff and students truly thank you.

A short presentation saw the acknowledgement of all our age Champions and runners-up and the top scoring house this year, Congratulations Hughes!

We also implemented a new award this year. The Sportsmanship Award. This award is given to the student who has demonstrated an excellent level of grit, determination, good sportsmanship but has not placed in any event. This year it was awarded to Monty Capel.

A big congratulations to all of our students this year. It was a very competitive carnival and each and everyone of you should be proud of your involvement on the day.

A shout out to a line marking Dad’s. Thankyou for supplying our students with a top notch track and for giving up your time and working days to provide this opportunity for our students. I would also like to acknowledge Charlie Whyte and her dedication to helping with all the paperwork this year, I am truly grateful as you saved me many a late night. So Thank you.

From one event to the next THE OLYMPICS! There is such a buzz in the air and the students are hungry for their challenges. We have a super exciting five week Olympic program in our PE and Sport lesson this term.

All our students have been divided into Countries and are competing for the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in a variety of different multi-sport challenges.

The first game was Speed Ball, into a modified version of Hand Ball and this week with Kick Tennis and Mini Soccer. Not only have they been enjoying the sport challenges but the development of team work and leadership that has been evolving through these activities is what has impressed me the most. Stay tuned to see which country wins the medal tally!

Next Friday the 9th of August, 25 of our students will be travelling to Tamworth to compete in the Diocesan Athletics Carnival.

Congratulations to all those students who have qualified and good luck next week.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Olympics. I'm currently perched up in front of the Australian Women’s Basketball Game Against Canada and just can’t bring myself to go to bed. I also enjoy the success stories and trials and tribulations and sacrifices these athletes have had to endure to make their dreams come true. So whatever your dream may be remember with positivity, persistence and perseverance anything is possible.

Aussie Aussie Aussie.

Cultural Immersion

Ms Samantha Rhodes