Swimming Carnival 2026

Last Wednesday, we held our St Joseph’s Swimming Carnival and were fortunate to enjoy a beautiful warm day. It was wonderful to see so many students enthusiastically participating in events across both the lap and Learn to Swim pools. It was also great to see parents and staff join the student–teacher–parent relay — it was fantastic fun to watch!

This event was generously supported by many volunteers who helped the carnival run smoothly. Steven McAllister returned as Race Starter. Adam McAllister assisted with recording race times while also being a valuable member of the staff relay team. Lyn Cregan kindly kept our volunteers and staff well fed with delicious home-baked slices. Laura Townsend provided wonderful support in the Learn to Swim pool, assisting Bec Willis and Karen Fletcher and helping ensure our swimmers were safe. To all these amazing people, thank you!

Our amazing parents stepped up once again. A huge thank you to the following people who generously assisted with timekeeping, marshalling, and lifeguarding: Karen Correy, Jess Newberry, Krystal Nugent, Nicole Watson, Narelle Pietsch, Julie Watson, Fiona Poschelk, Brigitte Brummel, Tess Spencer, Allana Price, Jane van der Waal, Kylie Neville, Zara Smyth, Theresa Carseldine, Kurtis Parker. The day could not have run without the help of these people.

Age Champions:

7 Years Boys - George Colley

7 Years Girls - Bernadette Manley

8 Years Infants Girls - Annie Hollingworth

8 Years Primary Girls - Ayla Watson

8 Years Primary Boys - Hugo Davis

9 Years Girls - Lucy Newberry

9 Years Boys - Leo Colley

10 Years Girls - Isobel Brummell

10 Years Boys - Lewis Masterson

11 Years Girls - Ivy Watson & Eva Poschelk

11 Years Boys - Harry Smith

12 Years Girls - Maggie Doust

12 Years Boys - Harley McPhillips

Spirit of Joeys:

Fitzroy - Harley McPhillips & Bernedette Manley

MacKillop - Harry Smith & Ayla Watson

Penola - Harry Say & Eliza Poschelk

Records Broken:

Maggie Doust:

Open Girls 100m Freestyle - 1:14.64 (Previously held by Mary Arandale - 1:20.31 in 2021)
12 Years Girls 50m Freestyle - 34.18 (Previously held by Beth Arandale - 36.86 in 2019)
Senior Girls 100m Individual Medley - 1:30.70 (Previously held by Mary Arandale - 1:32.32 in 2021)
12 Years Girls 50m Backstroke - 44.04 (Previously held by Beth Arandale - 44.55 in 2019)
12 Years Girls 50m Butterfly - 40.59 (Previously held by Mary Arandale - 41.74 in 2021)

Lucy Newberry:

9 Years Girls 50m Freestyle - 46.37 (Previously held by Mary Arandale - 46.65 in 2018)

Leo Colley:

9 Years Boys 50m Breaststroke - 1:09.15 (Previously held by Andy Watson - 1:09.81 in 2021)
9 Years Boys 50m Butterfly: 1:05.95 (Previously held by George Anderson - 1:14.15 in 2018)

Lewis Masterson:

10 Years Boys 50m Backstroke - 1:00.21 (Previously held by Porter Arandale - 1:01.69 in 2021)

Lorelei Clifton:

8 Years Primary Girls 25m Freestyle - 33.72 (Previously held by Holly Ruming - 41.82 in 2016)

George Colley:

7 Years Boys 25m Backstroke - 37.75 (Previously held by Warne McShane - 37.93 in 2018)

Eva Poschelk:

11 Years Girls 25m Butterfly - 23.12 (Previously held by Charlotte Neville - 24.73 in 2025)

House Points:

Penola - 521

MacKillop - 489

Fitzroy - 393

Congratulations to Penola who were the overall winners of the 2026 Swimming Carnival.

Diocesan Swimming:

Congratulations to the following students who qualified for the Diocesan Swimming Carnival to be held on the 27 February in Inverell:

Zara Correy, Maggie Doust, Phoebe Newberry, Harley McPhillips, Eva Poschelk, Ivy Watson, Isobel Brummell, Leo Colley, Sophia Poschelk, Lucy Newberry, Lewis Masterson & Roy Watson.

For your Diaries:

27th February - Diocesan Swimming Carnival in Inverell

6th March - ASC Winter trials (Rugby League, Netball and Football - Selected students)

30th March - St Joseph’s 2026 Cross Country Carnival

Adventures in Kindergarten