From the Principal

Ms Silvana Rossetti

Term 2 began with a deeply moving ANZAC Day ceremony at ANZAC Park, honoring those who bravely served our country. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ms Aladjadian and the students for representing our College with such grace and respect.

Our Year 7 students started Day 1, Term 2 with an enriching camp experience, forging strong connections with their peers and teachers while learning new skills like kayaking and damper making. The joy and camaraderie shared by both staff and students were truly heartwarming.

Throughout Term 2, we came together for various celebrations and informative evenings that strengthened our community bonds. The Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast were beautiful affirmations of our mothers and carers, reminding us of their daily sacrifices and love. Parents and students alike gained valuable insights from events such as the Study Skills evening with Prue Salter and a cybersafety presentation by ySafe. We were also fortunate to have Dr Justin Coulson join us via Zoom, offering profound advice on raising resilient children. The Term 2 Parents and Friends meeting provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year so far and look forward to what lies ahead.

World Support Staff Day was a special occasion where we expressed our deep gratitude to our support staff with a morning tea in their honor. Their dedication and hard work are the backbone of our College, and it was a joy to celebrate them.

Champagnat Day remains one of our most cherished celebrations. The day began with a traditional Mass and assembly where we honored staff and students with awards. The festive spirit continued with various activities and a sausage sizzle lunch. I am immensely grateful to our amazing staff for their meticulous planning and effort, ensuring the day’s success.

The Athletics Carnival was a testament to our wonderful community spirit. Staff, students, and parents came together to support and cheer on our students as they competed in various events. This day’s success is a tribute to the behind-the-scenes efforts of Mr Breen and Mrs Khattar.

Our Marist community’s dedication shone through the term with assessments and excursions that brought classroom learning to life. It was inspiring to see our students eagerly participating in the Visual Arts Showcase, SCS Eisteddfods, and after-school tutoring. The thriving College Co-Curricular program highlighted the Marist characteristic of presence, with enthusiastic involvement in debating, chess, and SCS sports competitions.

As we enter the holidays, please keep our Year 12 students in your prayers as they prepare for their upcoming trial examinations. I hope you find joy and inspiration in this publication, and I eagerly look forward to welcoming you back for Term 3. Have a restful and peaceful holiday break.

Assistant Principal

Mr Daniel Fallico

As we reflect on Semester One, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the incredible culture we have built together at our College. This culture, embedded in our Marist characteristics fostering participation and engagement, positive relationships, and a relentless desire to improve and achieve our personal best, is a testament to the dedication and spirit shared by our staff, students and supported by our families. Our Marist Way of education speaks of developing strategies to increase capacity to manage for themselves and this semester has provided numerous opportunities for this to occur.

Our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a vibrant community where every individual is valued and encouraged to contribute. The active participation of our students in various academic, extracurricular and community activities has been truly inspiring. To witness our College celebrate our Visual Arts display evening, our football teams win their grand final and the overwhelming support shown to our Friday night debaters exemplifies this. Most pleasing, however, has been our support for Social Justice Initiatives, the desire to give to others, to be open to seeing how fortunate we are as a community, and to foster in our boys a desire to support those in need has been extremely impressive.

The relationships we foster here are the cornerstone of our success. The mutual respect and support between staff and students promote an environment where people feel safe, valued and motivated to excel. Our teachers go above and beyond to build strong connections with their students, understanding that these relationships are crucial for both academic and personal growth.

One of the most remarkable aspects of our College culture is the shared desire to improve and achieve personal bests. This drive is evident in the way our students approach their studies, their extracurricular activities and their interactions with one another. It is also reflected in the continuous professional development of our staff, who are always seeking new ways to enhance their teaching and support their students. Our high school attendance rates are evidence of this in action and the strong attendance of parents at parent interviews shows that this desire for personal best is shared.

As we look ahead, let us continue to build on this strong foundation. Let us celebrate our achievements, learn from our challenges and strive to make our College an even better place for everyone. Together, we can create a future where every member of our community feels empowered to reach their full potential.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. Your commitment, enthusiasm and hard work are what make our school truly special. Here’s to the challenges of Semester Two and the way in which we know we will face them together, looking for opportunities for personal growth, learning, and success.

Champagnat Award Recipients

Congratulations to the following students and staff who received this prestigious Marist award.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Religious Education Coordinator

Mr Colm McCaughan

Term 2 was another wonderful Term in the RE Faculty as we go from strength to strength in spreading the Good News.

Week 3 saw over 300 mothers and mother figures attend our annual Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast, with the video message put together by the students reflecting on how much their mums have done for them and how they want to commit to being better sons!

Year 11 had a super engaging Reflection Day with Chris Doyle of Karis Ministries, looking at the theme of Discipleship in Life. Year 8 also had their Reflection Day with the Sydney Youth Mission Team, young people who have given up a year of their lives to serve God and the young people of the Archdiocese. This was a powerful day examining the issue of self image and how we should realise that our worth comes from being children of God, not how successful we are in the world.

Our largest event of Term 2 was the feast of Marist founder, St Marcellin Champagnat, on June 6. We were delighted to host the two current biggest names in Sydney Catholic Education: Bishop Danny Meagher, Vicar for Education; and Mr Peter Turner, Interim Director of Sydney Catholic Schools. The whole College Mass was a delightful affair, with the boys rising to the occasion and singing both the hymns and College song proudly. Our guests commented on what a wonderful feel and spirit there was in the hall.

Immediately following Champagnat Day, our staff had their annual Spirituality Day. We met at Mary Mackillop Place in North Sydney for some input from the Mission Team from Sydney Catholic Schools surrounding the theme of ‘Hope.’ We were so grateful the weather held for us and we were able to do a pilgrimage walk across the Harbour Bridge to St Patrick’s in Wynyard, site of the first Marist school in Sydney. This was a wonderful time for staff to pause and reflect on the school year so far and take stock of where we are at in our spiritual journeys. 

In the Curriculum department, our Year 7s have been examining Sacred Scripture and its place in our Church and lives. Year 8 looked at what it means to be ‘Alive in Christ’ through living out the Sacraments of Initiation. Year 9 spent the majority of the term examining the different types of Biblical literature whilst Year 10 worked towards an oral presentation on how Catholic Social Teaching is lived out in the world today.

As the students learn more about their faith, we are delighted by the variety of opportunities we have established this term to allow them to experience it more. We have begun the Rite of Christian Initiation for a few of our students who wish to receive their sacraments, and have also begun an Apologetics group for the boys who want to learn how to speak about their faith with those who may not believe. 

Long may these groups continue! Onwards to Term 3!

Director of Learning and Teaching

Ms Melissa Williams

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” (Benjamin Franklin)

In Term 2, the staff continued to focus on incorporating the high impact strategies of daily, weekly and monthly review into the structure of their lessons. As is evident in the quote above, providing regular opportunities for students to engage with previously learnt material is integral to learning. Creating daily, weekly, and monthly review activities is crucial for reinforcing learning, developing fluency, reducing cognitive load and fostering deeper understanding among students. 

Daily reviews help solidify newly acquired knowledge and skills by revisiting key concepts immediately after they are introduced. This regular reinforcement prevents information from fading from memory and allows students to build upon what they have learned, promoting retention and mastery. It also provides an opportunity for teachers to gauge comprehension and identify any areas where students may need additional support.

Weekly reviews serve to consolidate learning over a longer period, connecting related topics and reinforcing the relationships between them. By revisiting material from the past week, teachers can help students see the bigger picture and understand how different concepts interconnect. This holistic approach not only enhances understanding but also encourages critical thinking and application of knowledge in various contexts. Moreover, weekly reviews provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their progress and identify areas where they may need to focus more attention.

Monthly reviews offer a chance to synthesize learning over a more extended timeframe, reinforcing fundamental concepts and addressing any lingering misunderstandings or gaps in knowledge. These reviews help students retain information in long-term memory by revisiting it periodically and connecting it to prior and future learning. They also allow teachers to assess cumulative progress and adjust instructional strategies as needed to support individual student needs. By incorporating regular review activities at different intervals, teachers can create a scaffolded learning environment that promotes continuous improvement and academic success for all students.

It has been wonderful to see the inclusion of a range of review strategies being developed and implemented across the College. Whilst the staff have been engaged in ongoing professional learning which has fostered collaboration and sharing of ideas, the boys have benefited from the consistent approach to lessons and the building of their capacity as active learners.

English

Ms Rachel Deligiorgakis – Leader of Learning

2024 has been a busy year for the English Faculty as we embrace the opportunities offered by the new NSW English syllabus. The English teachers have spent countless hours designing new programs and resources and selecting and preparing new texts to engage our students.

One of the highlights of this redesign has been the opportunity for students to study a greater variety of texts, and our students in Year 8 have certainly enjoyed getting the chance to act out Jack Davis’ play Honeyspot in class, and learn about the role that acting plays in bringing the characters of a drama text to life.

Similarly, our Year 7 students could not believe their luck when they learnt that they would be learning about genre and intertextuality through the study of the film Into the Spiderverse.

Year 9 students, likewise, enjoyed learning about rhetoric through their study of a range of contemporary digital texts and speeches, and entertained their peers and their teachers with speeches aiming to convince us to believe topics like “the crows at Marist College Eastwood are aliens”.

Just as our junior students have embraced these new opportunities, so too our senior students have taken on the opportunities offered by our alumni tutoring program, with an impressive number of students attending sessions in the Learning Centre before and after school. It has been pleasing to see such a positive attitude in the senior English courses, and we are all proud of the determination and resilience our students have shown, and the substantial learning growth that has resulted.

Our Year 12 Advanced students have had the extra benefit of attending the Sport for Jove (theatre company) symposium on The Crucible, a valuable experience involving live theatre and discussion, that gave them a newfound appreciation for their HSC text, and refreshed their memory ahead of next term’s trial examinations. Our Year 7 students attended Unlocking the Poetry Code, a funny and informative performance from ‘Poetry in Action’ that complemented their Term 2 study of telling stories through poetry.

We have had an exciting start to the year, and have been pleased with the enthusiasm and commitment that our students have shown for English this semester.

Mathematics

Ms Susan Turnbull – Leader of Learning

Pi Day

We celebrated Pi Day on March 14. This mathematical celebration is based on the US date format mm-dd corresponding to 3-14, mirrioring the mathematical constant Pi rounded to two decimal places.

Pi is also known by the Greek letter π and is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for maths enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about maths, and eat pie of all different kinds (available from our Canteen that day). At recess and lunch there were various activities related to Pi, including bracelet making, and our annual competition to see who can recite Pi to the most decimal places. A new Marist record was set, with Aron S. in Year 9 beating his own record, reciting Pi to an astonishing 470 decimal places! In second place, Alex C in Year 7 reciting Pi to an incredible 424 places-in Korean!

Marist Mathletes and UNSW Mathematics Competition

Our Marist Mathletes program, run by Ms Turnbull and Mrs Ridge, has been running every Monday afternoon since the beginning of the year. Students have been honing their mathematical problem solving skills, equipping them with the tools and expertise needed to tackle prestigious external mathematics competitions, including the highly acclaimed UNSW School Mathematics Competition. Some of the topics we have been learning about include Modular Arithmetic, Hamming Codes and Game Strategy.

Congratulations to all our students who competed in the extremely challenging UNSW Mathematics Competition this term. The Competition, an open book three hour examination, is designed so that mathematical insight and ingenuity are needed for success tackling non-routine problems.

Mathematics Olympiad

Our Year 7 and Year 8 Mathematics Newman classes and a selection of other mathematically minded students have  been competing in the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO) Senior Division Mathematics Olympiad.

Further developing problem solving concepts and strategies established in the Junior Division Olympiad, the Senior level competition provides an opportunity for high-achieving maths students to take up the challenge and test their skills against other teams from across Australia and New Zealand. The Olympiad comprises four separate contests roughly six weeks apart, starting in early Term 2. Congratulations to all students involved in this.

Mathematical Association of NSW (MANSW)

Our Year 12 Mathematics Extension 1 and Extension 2 students attended the MANSW Mathematics Enrichment Day, a challenging and intellectually stimulating occasion. Students learnt about some fascinating and thought-provoking applications of mathematics, some ways mathematics is used to solve real world problems, were exposed to areas of mathematics which they may not have encountered before and learnt how their current study of mathematics opens up a range of rewarding career opportunities. Our very own Mrs Ridge was one of the presenters, speaking about the Mathematics Extension 2 Mechanics topic.

Marist Mathmatics Homework Club

Thank you to Ms Le and Mr Formosa for running the Mathematics Homework Club every Tuesday afternoon from 3.00pm to 4.00pm. This is open to all student in Year 7 to Year 10. Many of our students have found this extremely helpful, not only getting help with their homework, but also assistance with their preparation for mathematical assessment tasks and exams. 

Practice Trial Exams

Practice Trial exams

All Year 12 Mathematicians will have the opportunity to complete a mock trial exam on Friday, 12 July to prepare themselves for the upcoming HSC trials starting in Week 3 of Term 3.

Science

Mr Paul Malafiej – Assistant Leader of Learning

As we close out a busy term, Science teachers have been actively refining strategies to enhance students learning outcomes. High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS), are instructional techniques proven through research, to improve student learning outcomes. Among these, weekly and monthly reviews have emerged as particularly effective methods. These strategies involve regular, structured recaps of previously covered material to reinforce learning, improve retention, and identify gaps in understanding.

In Stages 4 and 5, teachers use short activities in class at the start of some lessons and once a month use a longer informal task consisting of some practice questions or activities. In senior subjects, this review process can take the form of a weekly exam question(s), providing students with opportunities to hone their skills and deepen their understanding.

Term 2 has been a busy period with significant milestones achieved across various Science subjects at the College. Junior science students and Year 11 Science classes have successfully completed their second assessment tasks, while Year 12 students have wrapped up their third assessments. With the HSC trial examinations approaching, both teachers and students are diligently working to cover the remaining course content.

Our senior students have also benefited from enriching excursions scheduled throughout the term, aimed at enhancing their learning experiences. Year 11 students attended a field excursion to the Badu Wetlands at Sydney Olympic Park, as part of their Ecology studies. Year 12 Biology students visited the Museum of Human Disease at the University of NSW delving into topics such as infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as genetics. Additionally, Year 12 Physics students participated in a kickstart workshop at the University of Sydney, further enriching their understanding of physics concepts.

Human Society and Its Environment

Mr Adrian Brombal – Leader of Learning

The start of 2024 in the HSIE Faculty was bustling as usual. Our newest cohort, Year 7, began their first history classes with an introduction to archaeology and delved into two case studies on ancient societies: Egypt and China. They analysed the societal structures of these civilisations and the pivotal role of geography in their development, which significantly impacted our modern world.

Year 8 continued this study of human history chronologically with a focus on Medieval Europe, Feudal Japan and The Black Death.

Moving into Stage 5, Year 9 shifted their focus towards the making of a modern Australia, starting with Indigenous history and continuing through colonisation to Federation. In Term 2, students explored Australia at War through a range of conflicts including campaigns at Gallipoli and Kokoda. The ANZACs were not only studied in the classroom but were also commemorated at our College ANZAC Day service, our representation at the City of Ryde Council service, as well as a commemorative service for Indigenous soldiers at War.

Additionally, Year 9 Elective History students had a profound learning experience with “Courage to Care”, featuring a Holocaust survivor who shared his story. Meanwhile, students in Year 9 and Year 10 participated in the National History Challenge, addressing the concepts of Crisis and Response. In addition, Year 7 through to Year 11 participated in the National History and National Geography competitions.

Year 10 students continued their study of Australia during the Vietnam War era and investigated the changing rights and freedoms of Australians, pertinent to the referendum from last year. In Commerce, Year 9 students took great strides in understanding the nature of the business world through topics of Consumer and Financial Decisions, and Promoting and Selling, while Year 10 delved into Law, Society and Political Involvement and The Economic and Business Environment topics.

Transitioning to Stage 6, the HSIE Faculty continued to offer diverse studies. Ancient History students explored rebellions against the Romans and the life of Julius Caesar. In Modern History, the focus was on the rise of 20th Century European dictatorships and the downfall of the Romanov Dynasty.

Legal Studies seniors delved into the expansive field of crime, while Business Studies provided insights into business operations and finance. In Geography, students focused on the biophysical interactions and ecosystems at risk. Economics students examined Australia’s role in the global economy and Extension History students deepened their understanding of historiography and moral relativism.

Overall, the HSIE curriculum at our College in 2024 continued to provide a comprehensive and engaging exploration of historical, social, economic, and geographical themes, preparing students for a well-rounded understanding of the world around them.

Technology and Applied Studies

Ms Gail Willingham – Leader of Learning

This year students have completed a variety of projects across the different courses offered within the Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) KLA. The projects vary significantly depending on the units being studied.

As an introduction, Year 7 students have rotated between a unit on cooking based on the Farm to Table philosophy and a project focused on creating a herb box suitable for small spaces. They are also learning how various types of data, including colours, audio, and text, are stored and processed in computer systems.

Year 8 students began the year with an Engineering Unit. They researched bridge structures, then designed and built their own bridges using paddle pop sticks and hot glue. The students tested their bridges’ ability to withstand pressure to determine the weight at which the structures would fail.

Year 10 Food Technology students planned and prepared a grazing box. Each student chose a theme or concept, which included at least one cooked element. They then prepared, cooked, and presented their items in a grazing box or another suitable format.

In Stage 6, Design & Technology and Industrial Technology students attended the Shape Exhibition, drawing inspiration from the showcased works of the 2023 HSC. They have been diligently working on their major projects, which are due for submission to NESA early next term

Two new courses have been introduced this year: Computing Technology for Year 9 students and Software Engineering for Year 11 students. These courses emerged from the Curriculum Reform and focus on current technologies.

Year 9 students have been creating digital solutions, including websites for presenting and analysing data. Year 11 students have explored different programming paradigms and used Python to create a variety of programs and games. For the first time in 2025, Software Engineering will be an HSC course, with students completing their final examinations on laptops rather than using pen and paper.

Creative and Performing Arts

Ms Claudia Howes – Acting Leader of Learning

Visual Arts

This Semester the CAPA Faculty had another busy Term with our students involved in a wide range of activities both within and outside the classroom. Year 7 Visual Arts students submitted their first assessment task that allowed them to demonstrate their understanding of the grid method, a drawing technique they studied in class creating an image of their Leader of Wellbeing, Mr Carlin! 

Year 8 students began bringing their mask designs to life by utilising recycled materials while Year 9 finished their portraits of their heroes. Year 9 also had the opportunity to visit the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW, while our senior students visited ARTExpress to connect their classroom studies with the real art world.

Year 10 students engaged with their first experience of clay and created abstract ceramic pieces, while Year 11 explored art history through their appropriations of modernist artworks. Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 students contributed to an intimate exhibition night held at the College to showcase their works to our wider community which was a great success. Year 12 have been working tirelessly on their major projects, exploring their own artmaking practices while also preparing for their upcoming trials. 

Music

Year 7 Music students have begun and engaged with the Amadeus Program, continuously practising on their selected instruments in their music classes. Students have been learning the cello, trumpets, violins, clarinets as well as many others to eventually perform as part of an ensemble.

Year 8 students have been learning about different genres of music such as the Blues and Rock and have had the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of these genres through their own compositions and performances on piano or guitar.

Year 9 students have been learning about Baroque music and have composed pieces within this style. They have also studied about music written for film, television or other multimedia and performed pieces of their own choosing.

Year 12 students have been focusing on their HSC music pieces and compositions within their chosen electives. 

Photographic and Digital Media

Our Year 9 and Year 10 Photographic and Digital Media students have been developing their own films on the theme of Journey and have begun exploring special effects.  Some creative videos have been developed, showcasing the students’ skills in manipulating images and using specific industry standard software to create their movies. 

Our Year 11 students in Photography, Video and Digital Imaging have been analysing some of Australia’s famous photographers regarding the techniques they used and the various frameworks they demonstrate.

While many activities have been happening within the classroom, we also had a number of students participating in external competitions over the past two terms. Shine Gao, Alfio Cavaleri and Vincent Acosta were selected to exhibit at the SCS Portrait Prize held at ACU McGlade Gallery. Senior students Eric Wong and Scott Hargash participated in an intensive portraiture workshop with renowned artists Michael Simms and Joshua McPherson at ACU over a weekend.

Additionally, our Concert Band and String Ensemble both entered the SCS Eisteddfod, where both groups won in their categories!  A massive congratulations to these students and to Mr Dela Cruz and Ms Muller who work tirelessly with these students each week to rehearse and perform.

Vocational Education and Training

Mrs Sue Jenkins – Leader of Learning

This year, our Year 12 Business Services class comprises a small cohort of 16 students. Many of these students have already embarked on their careers as Electricians, Carpenters, Plumbers, Builders, and Locksmiths. Our Business Services program, an in-house TAFE initiative, is designed to equip students with essential workplace skills crucial for today’s job market.

Many of the students are studying at TAFE for their chosen trade. In addition many are now working one or two days a week for an employer in their chosen field. Prior to this, all students successfully completed a two week Work Placement program with various employers across Sydney. Additionally, they have completed the necessary TAFE Modules to attain a Certificate III in Business Services.

The Hospitality class is also nearing the end of their course, focusing on the last unit of competency for Certificate II in Cookery. As part of their training, they recently organised and catered a three course luncheon for some staff, showcasing their skills developed in the Use Basic Methods of Cookery unit.

Throughouth their studies, students have gained valuable hands on experience, completing 70 hours of work placement across a range of local Hospitality establishments. Ms Wassef, our dedicated teacher, is currently undertaking her Hospitality teacher training to begin working in the VET Faculty next year. 

The Entertainment teaching area in A Block underwent recent renovations aimed at enhancing our facilities. Within this revitalized space, our Entertainment students have been actively engaged in covering our College sporting events on a Thursday afternoon. Additionally, the MCE TV crew live stream key College events such as assemblies and masses.

Meanwhile, our Year 12 boys are concluding their Work Placements, marking the final stages of their course requirements.  

We have a large number of students undertaking other VET courses at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood and various TAFEs in the area, with a view to go into a variety of trades after they complete school.

We wish our Year 12 students every success in their upcoming HSC Trials exams next term. 

The Learning Centre

Book Club

Twelve students attend a Book Club once a fortnight at recess with Ms Perkins. Students are reading a book of their choice and share their insights with the group. Students are welcome to contact Learning Centre staff if they would like the opportunity to join a reading group.

National Simultaneous Reading Time

In what is becoming a College tradition, earlier this Term saw eight Year 10 students attend St Kevin’s Primary School to support the younger students with reading. This year’s book to be read nationally was “Bowerbird Blues” by Aura Parker.  The students then spent an afternoon reading stories selected by the primary school students, supporting a love of reading and building connections with students that will be built upon throughout the year.

Research

The Learning Centre continues to be a hub for students to complete independent work or collaborate with others. A dedicated group of students greet Mrs Galea, Mr La Rossa and Mrs Vogels at 7.30 each morning to begin their school day. At this early hour students complete unfinished homework, get a head start on the day’s work, or meet with peers to collaborate on learning tasks. 

Students make use of this space to complete work during recess and lunch breaks also, with the added support of Mrs Hanneybel.

After school the Learning Centre is again buzzing with the joy of learning, supported by our ex-student tutors and Learning Support Officers. These members of our College support staff are an excellent resource for all students and demonstrate the College commitment to personal learning growth for all. The students who use this space, often until 5.00pm, display continued commitment to achieving their personal best and utilising some of the many support structures offered at the College.

Pi Day: 14 March

The Mathematics Faculty worked with Learning Centre staff to create fun Maths activities for students.

Recreation

The Games Club, run out of the Learning Centre at recess and lunch time, a joint initiative with the Diverse Learning Team, is always a busy place. The old favourites of Chess and card games are present, however this year students have added their own creations using Lego. Students have built their own spinning tops and ‘battle’ – remember Beyblades? The winner being the strongest top, the one that does not break down when smashed into by its rivals. This is lots of fun, with the added benefit of developing problem solving, teamwork and communication skills.

Athletics Carnival

Mr Nathan Breen – Sports Coordinator

Earlier this term saw a fantastic celebration of Eastwood’s athletic talent. One hundred and eighty students signed up for a range of different championship events while almost every student can say they participated in some way at our 2024 Athletics Carnival.

The school piled into the grandstand to watch our championship 100m runners – the fastest runners in the school. Ashton Sawtell in the U/16s threw down the first really solid time of the day at 12.02 before Robert Tannous in the U/14s ran 11.87. They would feature again later in the day.

The Carnival continued with championship competitions happening concurrently with non championship competitions. Students competed in Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Put and the 200m while we also ran strictly non championship 100m and Relays on the back straight. Congratulations to Michael Ajaka who in this period broke the College Shot Put record in the U/17s.

The non championship events were heavily participated and teams collected points quickly. Elliott, Leopold and Maloney all managed to collect between 1420 and 1445 points while Cusack put them to the sword managing an enormous 1539. Congratulations to Year 7 Cusack who topped the point score. Year 9 Elliott, Year 11 Cusack and Year 12 Maloney also did well in accumlating House points.

After some soul searching following the Swimming Carnival, Leopold fought back in the championship events finishing a close 2nd in this pointscore – led by the U/16s. This was not enough to topple Maloney’s dominance in these events – their U/13s truly showed the way.

As the day came to a close the 4 fastest runners from each House battled it out in a 4x100m relay. Here Maloney was able to beat Leopold in a close fought race, Cusack and Elliott rounded out the places. Finally, the Eastwood Gift was upon us – our fastest runner from each age group and our next 5 fastest all qualify for our handicap 100m sprint. Robert Tannous was the back marker, with our fastest U/12 Timothy Spadaro-Dutturi starting off 77m.

The race is always tight as the back markers make their way to the line getting closer with every stride. Levi Palfrey won in 11.87, William Stanger 2nd in 11.91 and Jayden Eltobaggi 3rd in 11.92.

Age Champions

House Points

After all the dust had settled the final scores were as follows: