On Friday the 9^th of February we held our annual Swimming Carnival at the Balaklava Swimming Pool. This year’s event was the second year of running our House Challenge at school in the morning for students who did not wish to participate in competitive races. This was a great way to start the morning for these students as they raced their way around the school completing a range of different challenges in our Amazing Race. We also saw the return of 50m races and gave students the option to only swim the first 25m to earn a point for participation for their House.

This year’s results mirrored last year, Ross House were again crowned champions on the day with a huge 193-point win. Congratulations to all the Ross swimmer’s and their dominant display in the pool. Keith House won the House Spirit Shield for a second year in a row, displaying excellent team spirit. The Plains Producer 50m Freestyle Handicap Race was won by Year 7 Harvey Cay in a photo finish, narrowly touching the wall first ahead of Hamish Wildbore. 

Well done to all House Captains for their hard work in filling events, encouraging their team members to participate and having house areas decorated with plenty of colour and house pride. It was great to see students of all abilities participate in races and novelty events to win points for their House as well as parents and ex-students swimming to compete in the House Relay. It was also fantastic to see many parents, caregivers, families and community members in attendance on the day to support our students.

One record was broken on the day with Halle Young from Walter now holding the 13 & Under Girls 25m Butterfly record with a time of 22.53. There were also a number of new records set in 13 & Under 50m events that didn’t previously have a record, congratulations to the following students:

I would like to acknowledge the help and efforts of my colleagues who supported me with the set-up, pack-up and official duties of the carnival which contributed to the day being a success.

Results:

Age Group Winners

Championship Shield:                                                                          

House Spirit Shield:

Lower North Zone Interschool Swimming Carnival

On Monday the 19^th of March, 37 of our best swimmers travelled to Riverton Swimming Pool to compete in the Lower North Zone Interschool Swimming Carnival. Schools in the Lower North Zone that we competed against on the day were Clare High School, St Joseph’s School Clare, Riverton and District High School, Kapunda High School and a combined Burra Community School and Eudunda Area School.

All swimmers did an exceptional job representing our school. Congratulations to Tahlia Zerk and Connor Willmer who were Runner-Up Age Group Champions and to Lucy Pym who was Age Group Champion in the 16 & Under Girls. In the overall results, we won the Improvement Shield, the girls placed 2^nd and the boys placed 3^rd with our school finishing 2^nd in the overall Championship Shield.

Thank you to all the parents and family members that were in attendance supporting the team and helping out with time keeping. Thanks to Ash Parsons and Hudson Noack for their support and work on the day organising students and in official duties. 

Good luck to Harvey Cay and Charlotte Retallack who have nominated to compete in the School Sport SA Individual Swimming Champs which will be held on Monday 26^th of February, Week 5 at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre at Marion. 

We now turn our attention to our annual Athletics Carnival which will be held on Friday the 8^th of March (Week 6). Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more updates.