Primary 

Well, to quote one of our Senior Primary students this week, it has been an “Epic Term of Sport” in our Primary School over Term 1, as many large events, competitions and activities have launched for 2023. 

What an incredible privilege to have witnessed such growth in confidence, skills, and participation of our wonderful students, but even more impressively, to see the ‘Donvale Difference’ in action in the way they have encouraged, cheered and supported their friends (and opposition!)

Spotlight on Sport

Grade 5 & 6 Interschool Sport Gala Day

All our Year 5 and 6 students participated in the Interschool Sport Gala Day in February against nearly 2000 students from various local primary schools in the Ringwood North District. 

The ‘Summer Sport’ program is a new initiative at DCC, with sports including basketball, tee-ball, softcrosse, volleybounce, tennis and cricket. It was a full and exciting day of competition for all our teams, and despite the second gala being cancelled due to a deluge of rain, it was a positive and rewarding experience for students after their hard work. 

Congratulations to the Girls Cricket A team and the Girls Softcrosse team who progressed to a District final last week, and were subsequently crowned runners-up for the District. 

Well done to Mariah Reed and Ros Cox for coaching and encouraging the girls!

Swimming Carnivals

The School Sports Victoria (SSV) Swimming Carnivals have also taken place in Term 1, with 14 of our primary students participating in the District Carnival at Tintern Grammar and achieving many outstanding results. 

Four students then progressed to both the Division and Regional carnivals at Aquanation, culminating in our best results for our DCC swim team with representatives in five events.

Congratulations to Aaron Williamsonfor receiving a bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke in the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Swimming Championships, and to our 4 x 50m Freestyle Boys Relay team, Noah Williamson, Aaron Williamson, Lenny Thomas and Samuel Han, who competed exceptionally well against some tough competition. 

Senior Primary Athletics Carnival

There were a few nervous moments in the lead up to the Senior Primary Athletics Carnival in Doncaster last week, as poor weather and unseasonal rain threatened to compromise the day. Despite some very early drizzle, our Year 3-6 students descended onto the track full of excitement and determination, and the day delivered beautiful blue skies and glorious sunshine. 

All students competed in a range of athletic events, and it was wonderful to see students striving for their best and representing our new College Houses for the very first time.

Congratulations to our enthusiastic House Captains, who wrote and performed their colourful House chants; and a huge thank you to the parent volunteers, Secondary students and staff for supporting our students on this day. 

There were some outstanding achievements on the day, with an incredible 14 school records being broken! 

Congratulations to Brie Coffey, Annabel Messer, Daniel Durrmeier, Maisie Coffey, Ivan Choy, Joyce Zhao, Halle Messer, Harry Zhi and Aaron Williamson for breaking records, and a special mention toTalise Botha (Year 6) who broke four school records, including one which had stood since 1998!! 

Further information about progression events for our Athletics Team will be distributed in Term 2. 

Junior Primary Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday, it was our Junior Primary cohort’s turn to shine as they jumped, hopped and sprinted their way through an exciting day of competition, culminating in a huge community lunch-time picnic on the Top Oval.

It was such a festive atmosphere and a wonderful opportunity to gather as a wider community while watching our youngest students exhibit the skills they have practised and developed during their PE classes this term.

Thank you once again to the parent volunteers and staff who assisted with events, and to the servant-hearted Friends of Donvale team who provided refreshments, a delicious lunch and an icy-cold treat for our students, staff and families.  

A special mention also to Yuli Willis, Brendan Deith and our Secondary media students for capturing all the emotions, excitement and celebrations at our Athletics Carnivals. 

More Student Highlights

It has been a goal this year to also highlight and acknowledge the sporting achievements of students who participate in, or represent DCC, in competitions outside of school. 

Congratulations to Brienna Coffey (Year 6) who recently competed in the Summer Orienteering Series and was crowned champion, ahead of secondary students from Scotch College and Camberwell Grammar! 

Competitive Orienteering involves navigating between control points marked on an orienteering map while completing the course in the quickest time. Well done, Brienna!

Congratulations also to Talise Botha (Year 6) for her outstanding results at the State Track & Field Championships at Lakeside Stadium. Talise progressed to State in the Hurdles, 200m, Long Jump and the Race Walk. 

It has been a HUGE term in Primary Sport, but what a fabulous way to continue the momentum from last year, and with the promise of many exciting events still to come in Term 2.