One school. Four Houses. Hundreds of students. One mission: earn House points, cheer louder than the House next door, and somehow survive the hills.
Last Friday 14 August, Senior School students traded classrooms for running shoes as they took part in the 2026 House Cross Country. Held on our beautiful school grounds, the event brought together students from Years 7 to 12 for a day of House pride, perseverance and friendly competition.
From the first starter’s whistle to the final sprint across the finish line, students embraced the challenge with determination and enthusiasm. Some were chasing podium finishes, others were chasing personal bests, and a few were simply chasing the person in front of them.
Whatever their goal, every student played a part in making the day a success.
Cheered on by peers and staff, runners tackled the course with grit and determination, while House spirit was on full display around every corner of the track. The sidelines were packed with students encouraging teammates, celebrating strong performances and proudly wearing their House colours.
Beyond the race itself, the day featured plenty of activities that added to the vibrant atmosphere. Competitive dodgeball matches kept energy levels high between races and sparked plenty of House rivalry of their own. Paterson continued its strong day to claim first place in the dodgeball competition, ahead of Lawrence, Chisholm and Flinders, adding another layer of excitement to the overall House contest. Meanwhile, Mr Morais, better known as DJ Sparkles, provided the soundtrack to the day with a playlist that kept students motivated and the crowd entertained.
Students also had the opportunity to support a worthy cause through the Orana Neighbourhood House Refreshment Bar, organised by our CUBE Impact Innovators. The lunchtime fundraiser offered everything from a sausage sizzle and soft drinks to lollies and meal deals, with all proceeds supporting Orana Neighbourhood House and its work advancing mental health, strengthening community connections and helping prevent social isolation.
The initiative was enthusiastically supported by students throughout the day, demonstrating that House Cross Country is about more than competition. It is also about making a positive impact beyond our school gates.
The House competition itself was fiercely contested, with every House contributing valuable points across the various year levels. Following a day of impressive performances, the final Cross Country standings were:
🥇 Paterson
🥈 Flinders
🥉 Lawrence
🏅 Chisholm
Students who performed strongly throughout the day will now have the opportunity to represent TKS at the upcoming EISM Cross Country event later this term. We wish them all the very best as they take on the next challenge.
Congratulations to every student who ran, supported, volunteered, fundraised, cheered and embraced the day. House Cross Country remains one of those uniquely TKS events where competition, connection and a little controlled chaos come together perfectly.
