On Wednesday, 6^th March, Riverside High School held its annual Swimming Carnival at the Launceston Aquatic Centre. Our swimming carnival returned to its original time of Term 1. As this was the second year back with no restrictions post-Covid, it was great to see an increase in students participating throughout the day.

The main emphasis of our school swimming carnival is having student participation in a range of races, events, and games while having lots of fun with their friends. To support and encourage more students to participate, once again the water slide was operating, and novelty events such as water basketball, handstand competitions and treasure hunts were organised and led by the Health and Wellbeing Prefects. These activities were very popular with all grades and ensured our students had lots of different activities to participate in, regardless of their swimming ability.

House spirit was well and truly alive throughout the day, with students decked out in their House colours singing loud house chants, and positively supporting their peers and teammates. This community spirit and support for others is an important aspect of our school carnivals that we want to continue to foster and encourage.

There were many outstanding individual swimming performances across all four grades. It was inspiring to witness many students showing courage and endeavour to step outside their comfort zone and participate in swimming races, whether it was Division 1 races over 50m or Division 2 races over 25m. Students showed great aspirational qualities to give their absolute best in their events.

The swimming champions for 2024 are:

All students are to be congratulated for the outstanding way that they participated and supported each other throughout the day. Respect was always shown towards fellow competitors, officials, and the facility, which made for a hugely successful swimming carnival.

As always, there was a friendly, but fierce, rivalry between the four houses of Kingsford-Smith, Monash, Lawson, and Forrest.

The final house placings for 2024 were:

We would like to thank the staff at the Launceston Aquatic Centre for hosting us and the support they provided regarding the set-up of the event.

We would also like to thank the families who were able to make it along to support their children.

Congratulations to the following students, who based on their performances at our swimming carnival, have earned selection to represent Riverside High School at the NHSSA Inter-High Swimming Carnival on Thursday, 11^th April, at the Launceston Aquatic Centre:

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 9

Grade 10

Adam Sanders
HPE/Sports Coordinator