It has continued to be a very busy term for sports; once again we have had some fantastic results, from our talented students.  It is extremely pleasing, that so many of our students are performing so well, at such a wide variety of sports.

A massive congratulations to Keiran Death, who won the National Rock Climbing Championship under 12 years old division, in the top rope event.  What makes this result even better, is the fact that Keiran still has another year competing in this division.

Yeva Parshikova had an outstanding North Island Synchronised Swimming Championships, finishing 1st in Group Routine (as part of a group of 10) and 2nd in Individual Figures category.  Yeva is also a very talented swimmer, breaking Bay of Plenty under 8 swimming records in: 50m freestyle, 25m backstroke, 100 Individual Medley and 100m Freestyle

Two of our students represented St Mary’s at the Bay of Plenty Cross Country Championships.  Holly Fausett finished 18th in the Year 5 Girls and Renee Carey finished a magnificent 2nd in the Year 6 Girls.  Both of these results are fantastic when you consider that it took three separate events (School, South Cluster and Western Bay of Plenty) just to qualify for the Bay of Plenty Championships.

Congratulations to the St Mary’s Rebels Netball team of Emma Rogers, Hannah Greaves, Holly Fausett, Jessica Kum, Niamh Byrne, Greer Wakelin, Jessica Taane and Millie Lochore, who won their division of the Year 5 Harbourside Junior Netball Tournament.  A fantastic result that you should all be very proud of.

Recently we had two year 5 & 6 teams represented the school at the Basketball World Cup.  The French team of Harlem Gardiner-Hano, Henry Scholes, Isaiah Barry, William Pepers, Max Broadmore, Jake Bell, Madison Smith, Naimh Manning, Darcy Gilbert, Isaac Schuler and Lokie Aubrey, finished 7th out of 33 teams and won the best dressed competition.  The Year 5 team of Finn Curragh, Jas O’Connor, Jayden Hyland, Benjamin Petrik, Holly Fausett, Emma Rogers, Lia Hesqua, Pateriki Paaka, Caden Lowe and Kiwa Kahura, played as Spain.  They had some very tough games, against some very good Year 6 teams.  I am looking forward to watching them play again next year.

It is great that we can highlight the success of our students, who are involved in so many different sports.  If your child is having success in their chosen sport, please let me know.  I would love the opportunity to help them celebrate their success with the school and our community.

Steven Finlayson

Sports Coordinator