With so many outstanding achievements from St Catherine’s Sport in Term 1 I thought I would take a moment to reflect and highlight some of the performances and moments of team spirit.

GSV Senior Diving

In the pool, our GSV Swimming and Diving teams had strong finishes to the GSV season. Our swimmers returned to the premier Division 1 Championships, representing themselves with pride and team spirit. Romilly Walker (Year 10) and Jane Fenton (Year 10) excelled with both girls qualifying through and achieving top three performances at the GSV Finals Evening. Both girls are now working hard in training towards Australian Age Swimming Championships taking place in the last week of April. We wish both Romilly and Jane all the best for this event. Our Senior Dive team of Laetitia Donato (Year 11), Lily Trosdal Ryan (Year 11) and Annelise Cody (Year 11) proved to be a formidable force in the GSV Diving, clean sweeping the Senior Division, winning all three categories. Laetitia and Lily both qualified for Finals Evening. Well done teams, their captains Charlotte Sinclair, Isabelle Gough and Laetitia Donato and to their lead coaches Mark Cooper (Swimming) and Olivia Carter (Diving).

Congratulations to Jane Fenton

Congratulations to Romilly Walker.

GSV Intermediate A Team

St Catherine’s Intermediate Tennis teams powered through the GSV Weekly season, going undefeated throughout. This resulted in both the A and B teams qualifying through to the GSV Finals. Both teams made easy work of their quarter and semi-final matches progressing through to tough grand final draws against Star of the Sea and Sacré Cœur. For our A-Team the competition was fierce, with tight competitions on every court. Our first pair of Annabel Sweetnam and Eloise Kewley played a nail biter of a match where they clutched victory in the final set. Unfortunately, this just was not enough, with the A-Team tied overall on sets, but suffering a defeat of just one game. Our B-Team however proved to be too strong for Sacré Cœur taking out the GSV Victory. It was a magnificent team effort to get both teams through to the GSV Finals and the Intermediate Tennis captains, Millie Fraser-Smith, Lucy Campbell, Alexandra Shergold and Charlotte Stern should be congratulated on their leadership. Well done teams and their coach Rick Foley (Victorian Tennis Academy) and teacher in charge Sam Basford.

GSV Intermediate B Team

The third highlight of the Term came from our extremely resilient Senior rowers. After suffering the disappointment of the HOSG Finals being discounted, they dusted themselves off and got on with the task at hand of representing their squad and School with pride, ensuring they would be a competitive force at the Australian Rowing Championships. What impressed me most about this squad was the positive and inclusive environment its leaders, Juliet Grant and Eleanor Millear and members worked so hard to create.

Repeatedly in sport, it proves that size and physical talent are no match for the might of strong cultures, smart heads and a fierce determination to compete. Both crews bought this mindset to race day. The Geraldine Ilott (St Catherine’s second VIII), competing in the Schoolgirl First Division knocked off close rivals, MLC and Premble (NSW) second VIII, to be crowned best second VIII in the country. The St Catherine’s 120 (St Catherine’s first VIII), threw everything at it, fiercely fighting out what was an exciting race. Their eventual, extremely close second place was just reward for a crew that left nothing in reserve. Well done to our Senior rowers, your efforts and bonds will be something remembered for years to come. Congratulations and thank you to our Senior coaches, Mr John Saunders, Mr Max Rundle, Miss Brigette Carlile and Head of Rowing, Mr Dave Fraumano.

I’m looking forward to experiencing an exciting Term 2 of sport. I am sure lessons learned from Term 1, shall drive our programs and their team members above and beyond. If you are interested in coming along to show your support there are a couple of key events taking place this Term that I would highlight recommend:

• Senior AFL Rivalry Round against Lauriston – Friday 27 April – 3.30pm @ Scotch College
• GSV Cross Country Championship – Friday 1 June – 10.00am @ Bundoora Park
• Senior Waterpolo against Genazzano – Tuesday 5 June – 4.15pm @ St Catherine’s

Go St Catherine’s!