By far the most exciting piece of news this week comes from our cricket team. Our star cricketer Bethany Lane (Year 12) has received the amazing news that she has secured positions in both the NSW U19s side and also the NSW All Schools side. This is truly an incredible achievement!

Essentially what Beth has done is secured positions representing our state in both of the sporting pathways that are available to young people. The next step for her is to go and compete at the National Championships for both sides!

This brilliant news provides me with the opportunity to explain the “school sport” pathway for those students who are aspiring towards higher achievement in sport, and helps us to understand Beth's incredible achievement.

The school sport pathway progresses through levels and, as a student goes from one level to the next, the pool of representative athletes becomes bigger and bigger.

The first level is our School competition. If a student qualifies or is selected to represent our School at the next level (ISA) they represent BMGS at the ISA Championships.

Next is the Independent Sporting Association (ISA) level. In this level of competition there are about 20 schools all with varying enrolments between150-2500 students.

If selected to represent the ISA, students then compete at the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) level. This level includes all Independent schools in NSW, together with schools from other sporting associations such as IGSSA, CAS, GPS, etc. At this stage of representation, when a student is selected to represent the CIS, they are chosen from a pool of approx. 50,000 students.

Finally, our CIS teams compete at the All Schools Championships against the Combined High Schools (CHS) representatives, comprising students from all public high schools in NSW and also against the Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) which is all Catholic High schools that are not independent in NSW. At this level, students from all schools in NSW are represented and selection at this level is considered 1 in a million.

1 in a million. That’s what Beth has done!

Congratulations, Beth! We are all so very proud of you and wish you all the best!

In other news there are also a few events to look forward to as we run downhill towards the term.

Basketball Presentation Ceremony

Wednesday, 30th March, T. W. Cuff Hall, 5:45pm for a 6:00pm start

This event will follow the traditional format for Presentation Evenings, with awards for each team being presented.

Winter Sport Organization

Our winter sports teams have started trials and these will continue over the next few weeks. Once teams have been finalized team lists will be posted on the sports noticeboard.

Please note, for any information regarding these teams, the correct first port of call is the MIC of that sport, as outlined below.

Boys' Rugby: Mr. T. Grace: tgrace@bmgs.nsw.edu.au

Boys' Football: Ms. A. Stammer: astammer@bmgs.nsw.edu.au

Girls' Hockey: Mrs. R. Hyslop: rhyslop@bmgs.nsw.edu.au

Girls' Netball: Ms. B. Stockley: bstockley@bmgs.nsw.edu.au

Girls' Football: Ms. S. Naumann: snaumann@bmgs.nsw.edu.au

Uniforms

It would be very helpful if all students who are playing a winter sport could check if they still have a uniform for their sport and if it still fits. If anyone needs a new uniform, please speak to your relevant MIC. Please order any additional required uniforms asap, as the turnaround time from order to delivery has been significantly affected by the disruption of the regular global supply chains.

Please keep in mind that the Uniform Shop is only open on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Rugby

After the possibility of not having a Rugby team reared its head, we have had a couple of students who have brought a lot of energy and leadership, in rallying the masses. The good news is we may have a Rugby team for this year's competition!

In order to establish what teams are viable for the upcoming season we are holding a muster day on Tuesday, 29th March straight after school. All interested students need to attend prepared for a full contact training session. We will gauge interest based on numbers at this event so it is ESSENTIAL that all interested students attend.

Cross Country Carnival

Cross Country Carnival will be held on 31st March on school grounds. We have changed the course a little this year, so be prepared for a new experience!

Inter-House Sports Day

On the last day of term House Sport returns to BMGS! Which House will win the day, and who will win the mystery novelty events section?

As always if there are any queries regarding sport, please email jquilter@bmgs.nsw.edu.au.

Mr John Quilter

Acting Head of Sport

From the Dean of Curriculum

Study Skills: Starting Assignments Early