Welcome to Sport 2023! We have started the year off with a bang already, with both our school and Southern Region Swimming carnivals being held in the last week. It is promising to be another BIG year for our sporting students and the various pathways and individual sports. We are also looking forward to having many gala days and skills clinics throughout the year.

St Mary’s Swimming Carnival
Last Tuesday was our school swimming carnival. The clouds cleared after a few hours and we were lucky to have beautiful conditions for a great day of swimming. The students were all very eager to join in as many races over the day and participation levels were well up on previous years. The cheering and displays of sportsmanship were so pleasing and everyone had a wonderful day. A special thank you to our parent community and the Carroll College Sports Coaching students for their help with timekeeping and assistance throughout the day. A highlight for me was witnessing the very close relay events and the team spirit on display for each of our house colours. Congratulations to our house leaders on their successful leadership of each team.

Age Champions and overall house winners will be presented at an assembly in the coming week and I look forward to sharing these results with you in the next newsletter.

Southern Region Swimming Carnival
From our carnival, we had 29 students who travelled to Narooma on Tuesday to represent St Mary’s at the Southern Region Swimming Carnival. Again, our small but mighty swim team proved just how amazing they are by jumping in the pool and just doing their very best which makes me so proud of each and every one of them and their determination and team spirit. Such an amazing achievement for these students to reach this level of competition.

St Mary’s Swim Team

Thank you to our parents who stepped into timekeeping roles and helped with the set up and pack up at Narooma, your help and assistance always makes the day run smoothly and I appreciate your help.

A special mention to Mrs Jessie White, Mrs Shellie Butler, Mr James Campbell and Mr Dom Ziino for taking on their various roles during the day so capably and assisting with the overall organisation of the day.

If you have not yet paid the $5 Southern Region Competitor Levy, we ask that you make a payment at the school office or via QKR as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance with this.

We congratulate the following students on their selection to represent the Southern Region at the Arcdiocesan Swimming Carnival in Queanbeyan on Tuesday March 7. 

We congratulate the following students on their exceptional swimming performance on Tuesday, being named the Southern Region Age Champions in no less than 4 age groups. What an AMAZING achievement!

Running Club
Beginning next week, Mr Paul Hill (PE/H) will be leading a running club each Tuesday and Thursday at the beginning of first break. Any interested students from Years 3-6 are welcome to join in. Students may choose to bring a change of T-shirt and shorts/runners on these days to quickly change into at bell time. During these breaks, students will be led to practise some long distance/sprinting skills as well as increasing their fitness levels prior to Cross Country and the beginning of community sport season. 

Important Dates

Canberra Goulburn Sport Trials
As in previous years, Students in Year 5 and 6 can now trial for individual and team sports to represent the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese. It is a requirement that all students attending trials have a high level of skill and competency. The following sports are coming up:

• Canberra Goulburn Netball – Girls and Boys  – Trialist Nominations CLOSE 6th March

A Canberra Goulburn team will be selected to play at the MacKillop trials to be held in Canberra on the 5th of May

• Canberra Goulburn Rugby League (U11’s & U12’s) – Nominations CLOSE 6th March

To be held at Lyneham on the 14th of March. Canberra Goulburn teams will be selected to play at the MacKillop trials in Canberra on the 5th of May

For further information regarding these events, please contact Megan Grant at: megan.grant@cg.catholic.edu.au or alternatively, you can log into the CSNSW website to register. 

Upcoming Dates

• St Mary’s Cross Country: Friday 24 March at Gundary Oval (weather permitting).

Tennis
We wish Darcy F all the very best on Friday as he travels to Wollongong to compete at the MacKillop Tennis Trials. We look forward to hearing of your results on your return.

I am looking forward to the sporting year ahead. If at any time, you have a sports question or query, please be in contact via the office or my email as above.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

Megan Grant
Sports Coordinator