OUR SWIMMING TRIUMPH

Our Years 3-12 students made their triumphant return to the pool in the first House event since our return to onsite learning.

It’s almost hard to believe that ten months ago, the thought of being able to leave our 5km and —later—25km radius seemed like a distant dream as we navigated the challenge of lockdowns and remote learning.

However, as students dived into the pool in February 2021, surrounded by House colours, while being cheered on by their peers, the Swimming Carnivals felt like a warm welcome back to normalcy after time spent away from events that make our school the vibrant community we enjoy.

The Years 3-6 and Years 7-12 Swimming Carnivals took place indoors, for the first time, at the Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre in Craigieburn to eliminate chances of having to reschedule the event due to bad weather.

The Sport Department’s decision to hold the event indoors served our community well as only a few days from the event, a storm was scheduled to occur—and did occur—during the event.

As students dived into the pool, surrounded by House colours, while being cheered on by their peers, the Swimming Carnivals felt like a a warm welcome back to normalcy after time spent away from events that make our school the vibrant community we enjoy.

A key to the Carnivals’ success lay in the personalisation of the event with activities for all students to enjoy regardless of their swimming ability. Depending on how comfortable they felt in the water, students could compete in swimming events, test their balance and agility on inflatable obstacle courses, play outdoor Volleyball, or splash about and explore the Aqua Park.

“Giving students options to have fun on the water slides, in the Aqua Park, and even play some volleyball with their friends added to their enthusiasm for the event, and enjoyment during the day, and made the Carnival a success” Michael Pell, the Head of Sport (7-12) said.

For Taylor Moss, the Head of Sport (3-6) and many Years 3-6 students, the 2021 Swimming Carnival marked their first carnival since 2019, having missed out on a carnival last year.

At Southern Cross Grammar we are privileged to have students who show great leadership and maturity across our Primary Years and Secondary Years, and the Year 3-6 Carnival was no different.

As part of their practical component, our VET Sport and Recreation students attended the Years 3-6 Carnival to assist students participating in novelty events and staff during the event.

However, with many younger students taking part in the Carnival for the first time, VET Sport and Recreation students quickly took to helping students who needed assistance in the pool.

“We originally had [VET Sport and Recreation students] assisting students on novelty events and helping teachers on jobs (ribbons, place giving, aqua park supervision) however, as the day unfolded it was evident some students needed assistance in the pool, especially since most hadn't swam since 2019," Taylor said.

"We asked the VET Sport and Recreation students if they could help any students who were struggling to swim or needed encouragement to finish their race, and without a second thought, they were straight in the water assisting students wherever they could.”

In all, Beta house won the Year 3-6 Carnival and Alpha won the Year 7-12 Swimming Carnival.

Renelda Veli, the Primary Years Alpha Captain said, "The Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival gave us an awesome opportunity to compete against other SCG Houses. We were able to challenge ourselves by going on the balance beam, or having a race on the inflatable obstacle course. It was great to see such positive team spirt, not to mention the countless coloured ribbons being handed out, and I look forward to next year's Carnival.”