After the uninvited wet weather of the
previous two years, Thursday 22 June needed to be a beautiful day for the VPSHS
Inter-House Athletics Carnival. In 2017, we got exactly what we wanted with
perfect conditions for one of the highlights of the school year! Adding to the
occasion and the atmosphere of the day was the outstanding attendance of our
students. A sea of colour was certainly visible from all parts of the oval. Tremendous
House spirit was clearly evident amongst all those who attended.
Beneath the fun factor of a day like this
are the actual events. Many of our staff officials had their hands full, as
great student participation meant there were multiple heats or many competitors
in almost all events. Not only was this level of student event participation
very satisfying to see, but also compelling viewing due to the high standard of
competition. It was certainly one of the most tightly contested carnivals we
have seen for many years. In the end MASTER HOUSE were victorious as 2017
Athletics Champions (3202 points) narrowly edging out Sands House (2nd 3177
points) and Heinemann House (3rd 3164 points) by the closest of margins. Benfer
came in last place (4th 2656) after looming as one of the houses to beat
heading into the carnival. A fantastic effort by all Master House students, who
thoroughly deserve this fantastic carnival victory.
A special congratulations to the
individual star performers on the day, who are our official 2017 VPSHS
Athletics Age Champions. These students are Isla Sandbek (12 Year Girls), Jai
Flanigan (12 Year Boys), Faith Green (13 Year Girls), Tyronne Stephens (13 Year
Boys), Lucy Shipton (14 Year Girls), Brandon Brewster (14 Year Boys), Caitlyn
Powers-Hughes (15 Year Girls), Brodie Campbell (15 Year Boys), Jade Fursey (16
Year Girls), Ethan Green (16 Year Boys), Jade Ellenger (Open Girls) and Ben
Pickles (Open Boys).
On
Thursday 27 and Friday 28 July, the VPSHS District Athletics Team participated
at the 13-19 Years Bayside District Carnival, which was held at the Queensland
State Athletics Centre. From the commencement of the first event until the
closing presentation a day later, we could not have been more proud of the commitment,
enthusiasm and spirit of those students representing our school. This spirit
was best encapsulated in the efforts of Scott Marriott (Year 11) who in the
last lap of his 1500m event was physically spent but through pure determination
and will found another level and pushed past his rivals to win the race!
Other individual
student highlights include Max Ellenger (Year 9: 2nd High Jump), Connor Duffy
(Year 10: 2nd 1500m), Brodie Campbell (Year 10: 3rd 200m, 400m), Ethan Green
(Year 11: 1st 100m, 2nd 200m), Luke Harvey (Year 12: 2nd 1500m, 1st 3000m), Ben
Pickles (2nd 200m, 2nd Triple Jump, 1st Long Jump) and Jade Ellenger (Year 12:
2nd 100m, 200m, 1st Long Jump). All of these students qualified to represent
the Bayside District team along with Matthew Devlin (Year 10) and Jake Chapman
(Year 12). Both Jade Ellenger and Ben Pickles can be very proud of their
efforts in their final Bayside carnivals, coming in 3rd place
respectively in overall age champion points. Major team highlights included the
Open Boys 4X100m Relay team taking out 1st place in one of the
biggest events of the carnival against fierce competition along with our 16
Boys 4X100m Relay team coming in 3rd place. Congratulations to all
students involved over a wonderful two days of competition.
Go Vikings!