ASSORTED NEWS
SAILING TO SUCCESS
During the first week of January, Saxon Perry (Year 12), Joaquin Knott (Year 9) and Bryn Robinson-Mills (Year 11) competed in the NSW Hobie Cat State Championships, in conjunction with the Hobie Dragoon National Championships, held at the Vincentia Sailing Club, in Jervis Bay.
The 4-day Regatta consisted of three days with light and fickle wind conditions, which weren’t the most ideal to race in. However, the first day of racing was unfortunately called off midway after the wind picked up a little more than expected, which left boats scattered across the bay on their sides and upside down.
After four days of neck-to-neck racing, in the Dragoon class Joaquin and his crew, placed 5th overall, finishing off with a photo-finish second in the final race of the series.
While in the Hobie 14 Youth Division, Saxon managed to finish the regatta in fourth place, with a 27th in what was the largest ever Open Hobie 14 Fleet.
Meanwhile Bryn took out the victory in the Youth Division, retaining his title for the second year running, while finishing with 13th in the Open Fleet. The boys were lucky enough to be competing against a number of St. John’s graduates including Bonnie Butler, Georgii McKenzie, Nick Eastment, Will McKenzie and Pat Butler.
NSW ATHLETICS STATE COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
During the January holidays, several of our outstanding athletes travelled to Maitland to compete in the NSW Country State Championships.
Year 8 student Max Marshall was a stand out, taking gold in both the 100m and 200m sprints for the under 15 boys races. Max's time of 23.45 for the 200m was also a very impressive meet record, bettering the mark that has stood since 1985!
Congratulations also to Denzel Atkinson, Cooper Barrett, Darcy Davis, Lizzy Davis, Natarsha Mandavy, Nicholas McGill and Ruby Marshall on some fine performances competing with the best athletes from country areas all throughout the state.
MORE STATE MEDALS FOR OUR SUPER SWIMMER
Last year Talika Irvine of Year 10 was within hundredths of a second to qualify for an Olympic Open Age qualifying race. Talika has continued her gruelling training regime and string of success to finish the recent NSW State Age Swimming Championships with an incredible qualification for 5 state finals in her 5 entered events. Talika went on to win 3 medals at these high quality championships. This is an outstanding achievement. Well done Talika!
ELIJAH SAVING LIVES ON BEACH PATROL
Year 12 student Elijah Foster-Percy volunteers his time keeping us safe when using our local beaches. We wish to commend Elijah for his bravery during the holiday period as he was one of the hero lifeguards involved in a dramatic rescue to save the lives of a 40 year old man and his 16 year old daughter. Tremendous work Elijah!
MATILDA TAKES THE CROWN
Year 11 students Matilda Sinclair and partner Logan Marsh have been participating in the blessing of the Fleet.
Matilda attended numerous activities such as dance, etiquette & interviews for the Princess of the Fleet.
On 18 December, Matilda was crowned 2021’s representative ??Princess of the Fleet, a great honour with 33 girls vying for the crown.
Congratulations Matilda! ?
DANCE STUDIO MAKEOVER
YEAR 12 VISUAL ART
Year 12 Art undertook a series of both artmaking workshop and artist talks with artist Nadia Hernandez - an interdisciplinary artist originally from Venezuela who now lives and works in Sydney.
Students had Zoom conferences with Nadia and also did some mentoring for their Body of Work. The works they produced were then made into postcards, mugs and a tote (as Hernandez often takes her original works and makes them into textiles, murals and collaborations) - the students were thrilled to see their works.
