f you have competed in anything big recently, let us know so we can let the whole community know. Your achievements should be celebrated!
Goodbye and good luck Mr Blair
2009
2022
2009
2022
Last Friday the 27th of May 2022, we said farewell to one of Viewbank College's finest.
Andrew Tom Blair came to Viewbank 13 years ago as a fresh-faced teacher of only 26 years of age. Preferring to just be known by his nickname of 'Andy' rather than his full name and title - Andrew Tom Blair the third, Lord of Portsmouth, Inspector of the Realm, Order of the British Empire, Andy worked hard to blend in with the teachers and acquire some of the local dialects.
He was confused as to the PE teachers fascination with the weather, calling a solid rainstorm a 'gentle mist'. This harked back to his formative years as a young lad in Portsmouth, England. However he rapidly came to understand why we were all so focused on when the cool change was coming, and he too came to save the BOM radar as a favourite which would often help determine what we would do during a 6-classes-on-with-one-indoor-space kind of day.
Andy rose up to become a Year 8 Coordinator and also marrying the love of his life, Liz. The pair then went on to have 3 beautiful children - Tommy, Poppy and Harry - and then spent a year on teacher exchange to Canada. This time was great for everyone involved - the PE teachers left here got a break from Andy for 12 months in exchange for Rod Jensen, while Canada got to 'experience' the Blair Special (students will understand this).
Upon his return Andy brought fresh ideas to the school and a new perspective, as well as becoming the Staff Association leader and then the head of PE - a difficult job to keep teachers motivated during a pandemic. However in spite of his terrible haircuts, dirty mo's and endless supply of flannelette shirts we prevailed, coming back to school in 2022.
Sadly Andy is now leaving us to head to Warrandyte High School. He will be missed by all, and I now understand what people say when they mention that whoever follows has some very big shoes to fill. Andy, we will miss your jokes, your forever bare legs in the middle of Winter and commentary anytime England is on top in the cricket.
We will miss you, Andrew.
Well done Max!
Absolute incredible finish to Round 7 at the Cave...Today Max Woodward (Colts 1) played his last game of football. Due to two serious head knocks he has had to give up the game he loves. Today against Beverley Hills he played a total of five minutes kicking 2 goals. This was his goal after the siren to cap off a fantastic win for our Colts!!
Max started in Tackers as a seven year old and will be inducted as a life member later this year. Congratulations Max on a wonderful career!! Go Bears!!
Courtesy Banyule Junior Football Club facebook page
Congratulations Hudson!
During the recent school holidays, Hudson Ebbage of Year 11 went to Adelaide for the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association national championships.
Hudson played in the Victorian under 17 team.
The Victorian team went through the championships undefeated to become the national champions. They defeated South Australia in the final by 17 goals, their closest match of the tournament.
Following the championships, Hudson was selected as a training partner for the Australian under 17 team and will be off to the Australian Institute of Sport during the next school holidays.
Amazing achievement Hudson! We wish you the very best at the AIS in the holidays!
Congratulations Freya!!!
We have just received confirmation that Freya Wilson has been selected in the Australian U16 team for discus and hammer, to compete at the Oceania U16 Team Challenge in Mackay from the 9th - 11th June.
Senior Girls Netball
On Tuesday 10th May, the Senior Girls Netball team competed in the Banyule/Nillumbik.
Well done to the team on coming in at 3rd place.
Year 7 Baseball
Well done to the Year 7 Baseball Team who came 2nd (they were so close..... 1 run off 1st place) at the Northern Metro sports on the 5th May!
Year 7 Tennis
The Year 7 tennis teams competed at Boroondara Tennis Centre on Thursday 5th May. The Boys team was represented by: Gary Lei, Vincent An, Andrew Zarogiannis, Gulli Masters and Pranav Ramakrishnan.
They competed against Northcote High School and Mill Park Secondary College and despite not winning their rounds they won a few games along the way and had a good day out.
The Girls team was represented by: Gemma Russo, Tanisha Fazal, Zoe Harvey, Kayla Brewerton, Isla Swindon and Elle Butcher.
They competed against Preston High School, Mill Park Secondary College and Coburg High School and won their third round against Coburg High School and narrowly lost to Mill Park by 1 point.
Well done to all students who competed!
Getting to know....
Long Tran
What sport do you play?
I play basketball, love snowboarding, and enjoy boxing
What has been your greatest achievement?
Was school swimming champion in Year 7 and Year 8.
Do you have any pieces of advice for kids coming through sport now?
Success lies not in the person who is gifted but in the person who is brave enough to continually fail.
Anna Crosswhite
What sport do you play?
I played netball and basketball as a junior but also tried every school sport, like touch footy, soccer, swimming, athletics. I play netball for fun now and do Parkruns regularly at Westerfolds or Warringal plus pilates.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Greatest achievement - Under 20 National Basketball champions with NSW, WNBL Champions with Bulleen. Was Captain for University of Virginia Women's basketball team, and lived on the Lawn in my final year of college (Recognition of academics and extra curricular involvement).
Do you have any pieces of advice for kids coming through sport now?
For Sport now - iIthink the key is to not specialise too early - try different sports. Taking on constructive feedback whenever you can and be coachable in any aspect of the game/sport/life. Being a good teammate is something that will translate into the future in a workplace, as a coach and family member. Also if you want to be successful in sport you have to do the hard work outside of training time too.
