Sport plays a vital role in the life of our Junior School, offering far more than just physical activity. It teaches teamwork, perseverance, resilience and fair play – all qualities that help shape well-rounded young people. Last week’s Year 3 to 6 House Athletics Day was a shining example of this, and a true celebration of what sport can bring to a school community.
Held on Friday 23 May 2025 on campus, all students from Years 3 to 6 took part in a variety of events showcasing their athletic talents and house pride. Despite a rainy start to the morning, students and staff showed incredible determination. With umbrellas up and spirits high, we pushed through the weather, and by midday, the skies cleared to reveal a beautiful day perfect for competition.
The atmosphere was buzzing – not just with the thrill of competition, but with genuine encouragement, laughter and team spirit. Whether students were breaking personal bests or simply giving it a go, the collective energy on the day was something special. It was wonderful to see students supporting each other across year levels, houses and friendship groups.
The program featured a range of fun and challenging events, including sprints, vortex throw, high jump, long jump, tug of war, dodgeball and the always-entertaining egg and spoon race. The 80-metre sprints proved to be the highlight of the day, with students giving their all and the crowd cheering them on enthusiastically.
Congratulations to our 2025 Age Level Champions, who displayed outstanding athletic ability and determination throughout the day. In Year 6, Navid D and Emily H took out the top honours for the boys and girls respectively. Year 5 champions were Ryan A for the boys and Alexandra W for the girls. In Year 4, Noah G and Zoe C led the way, while the Year 3 champions were Felix W for the boys and Hannah T for the girls. Well done to all on your fantastic achievements!
These outstanding athletes, along with other selected students, will now go on to represent our school at the District Athletics Carnival in early September. We wish them all the best as they prepare for the next level of competition. And congratulations to Flinders House who prevailed as this year’s House Athletics Champions!
Celeste Fletcher, our Junior School HPE, Sport and House Learning Design Leader shared the following after the event:
A huge thank you goes to the dedicated group of parents who stayed throughout the day – even through the rain – to cheer on our students. Your support made the event even more special and helped create a memorable experience for all involved.
This kind of event doesn’t just happen. Behind the scenes, our outstanding PE team – Celeste Fletcher and Leah Battalis – put in a huge amount of work. From weekly skill development in PE classes to building confidence in movement and preparing students for competition, Celeste and Leah have created a sporting program that supports every child, no matter their ability. Their passion and commitment are felt in every lesson and every event. They work to ensure that sport is accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for all, while also identifying and nurturing students who wish to take their skills further.
Our Head of Junior School, Simon Cowell, had this to say:
Their leadership ensures that sporting experiences are not just fun, but meaningful. Students learn how to set goals, work as part of a team, and push themselves in a supportive environment. Events like Athletics Day are a culmination of weeks of preparation, and they provide a sense of achievement that students carry with them long after the day is over.
We’re incredibly proud of our students – not only for the effort they showed in their events, but for the encouragement they gave each other, the teamwork they demonstrated, and the joy they brought to the day. And we are equally grateful to Celeste and Leah for their tireless work and dedication.
Sport in Junior School is thriving and it’s thanks to a community that values participation, effort and spirit.
