On Tuesday 3 March, Primary School students from Years 3 to 6 gathered at Ryde Aquatic Centre for the annual Swimming Carnival. The day began with the longer endurance races, setting a determined tone as swimmers challenged themselves in the pool while being supported by friends, teachers, parents and grandparents.
As the morning progressed, excitement built with the 50m races, where students demonstrated speed, focus and perseverance. Throughout the day, 25m races gave younger swimmers the opportunity to participate and experience competition in a supportive environment. These events were assisted by Alumni and High School helpers, who played an important role in encouraging students and supporting them in the water. That level of heart, passion and determination is something to be incredibly proud of.
The afternoon saw the relays take centre stage, with Houses competing head‑to‑head in energetic team events that generated strong School spirit. The relays showcased teamwork, determination and enthusiasm, with students giving their all for their Houses as the crowd cheered them on.
Several new School records were set during the carnival, highlighting the high standard of performances on the day. New records were achieved in the Girls Open 100m Freestyle with a time of 1:07:33, the Girls 12–13 50m Butterfly in 33:93 and the Girls 12–13 50m Freestyle in 30.32, all set by Filippa V.
One of the most anticipated events of the day was the King and Queen of the Pool. This staggered race brought together the fastest swimmers from each age group, who competed in a thrilling swim‑off designed to test strategy speed and resilience. Representing the boys were Spike (9 years), Henry R (10 years), Eric F (11 years) and Finn S (12 years). The girls’ race featured Wanying L (9 years), Shanaya C (10 years), Olive M (11 years) and Filippa V (12 years).
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2026 IGS Age Champions |
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|---|---|---|
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BOYS |
GIRLS |
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|
9 |
Julian D |
Wanying L |
|
10 |
Jack S |
Leila K |
|
11 |
Eric F |
Elise O’B T |
|
12 |
Alexander B |
Filippa V |
In a standout finish, the two 9‑year‑old swimmers went off scratch and held off the older competitors to be crowned King and Queen of the Pool. Congratulations to Spike and Wanying on an outstanding achievement.
A sincere thank you to all staff for your energy organisation and enthusiasm, with special mention to Head of Primary PDHPE, Sport and Outdoor Education Lucy Haynes, whose leadership and commitment ensured the day ran seamlessly and created a safe, supportive and high‑energy environment where every student felt encouraged to step up and shine.
It was a fantastic celebration of grit, passion, perseverance and House spirit, a day to remember and a wonderful platform to build on as we head into our remaining carnivals for the year!
