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Sydney Catholic Schools

Hudson makes a splash at swimming championships

The Sydney Catholic Schools Swimming Championships may well have uncovered an Australian Paralympian of the future in Hudson Wan.

The medals flowed for the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Primary School Mt Pritchard student, who swam in three events at the 2022 Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Hudson placed first in breaststroke and freestyle, and second in backstroke.

Hudson Wan on the podium receiving his medal Hudson took to the podium many times during the championships.

But his favourite thing about swimming isn’t winning. It’s “that you get to explore things underwater and find out new things to learn about,” Hudson said. 

Lapping up success

Hudson’s mother, Kia, first enrolled Hudson in swimming lessons when he was just two “for water safety and also for exercise at the time, because he had a physical limitation with his left leg,” she said. 

“I thought swimming would be the best opportunity for him to get that exercise in and have some fun,” Ms Wan added.

She said they only more recently realised Hudson was a super swimmer.

“He had surgery with the amputation, and then he just picked up and surprised everybody – his swimming coach, swimming teachers,” Ms Wan said.

“He’s ready to get back into mainstream training with the rest of the crew, and doesn’t need any private lessons anymore.”

“He doesn’t have any limitations in his mind, which is really important” – Hudson’s mother, Kia

“I think he (Hudson) would love to be able to participate in the Paralympics one day, hopefully,” Ms Wan said. 

“Today is the beginning of many competitions I hope, and he’ll make lots of good …

March 28, 2022|
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Results and Photos: SCS Swimming Championships 2022

An unprecedented 938 students from 123 schools lit up the pool at the Sydney Catholic Schools Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in Homebush on Tuesday 15 March 2022. 

In what was a Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) first, students from both primary and secondary schools competed on the same day. 

The morning saw 390 students from 85 schools compete across 140 races, while the afternoon and evening session involved 548 students from 38 high schools competing across 100 races. 

The Championships also featured an unprecedented level of multi-class athletes, with 18 students swimming in both primary and secondary events. View Primary results here View secondary results here

LEADING THE WAY

The day was a chance for some of the best young swimmers in Sydney to show their potential and they certainly didn’t disappoint with a number of SCS records tumbling. Brother-sister duo Ella and Max from St Therese Catholic Primary School Mascot dominated in the primary session, with the pair breaking two records each on their way to both being crowned Age Champions. 

10-year-old Ella broke records in the 50m freestyle and the 50m backstroke, while 12-year-old Max set new benchmarks in the 50m freestyle and the 200m individual medley. 

Standouts in the secondary session included 14-year-old St Mary’s Cathedral College student Victor Strokin winning an incredible 10 races, and 16-year-old Payne Nell from St John Bosco College Engadine who came out on top in seven races. 

Please note: all podium photos will be distributed by schools.

THE ROAD AHEAD 

It’s a quick turnaround for qualifying swimmers who will now move on to compete at the Catholic Schools NSW Championships on Tuesday 22 March 2022.

For primary students, a NSW …

March 18, 2022|
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WATCH LIVE: Sydney Catholic Schools’ Primary Sports Awards

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) will recognise its high-achieving 2021 student athletes during a Primary Sports Awards ceremony on Friday, 3 December. 

The ceremony will be streamed live on Sydney Catholic Schools’ Facebook page at 9am and will also be available for later viewing on the SCS website and YouTube channel. 

More than 130 students will be congratulated for their sporting achievements during the ceremony, with a special focus on seven rising stars who will receive a sports medallion for demonstrating a remarkable level of representation in their chosen sport. 

The awards will also feature guest appearances from Kim Green, former Australian netballer and St Patrick’s College Sutherland alumna, as well as Michael Ennis, former NSW rugby league star and current Fox Sports presenter. 

Damien Kerr, Manager: Pre to Post Sport at SCS, said the awards will be a great opportunity to highlight the hard work and talent of students this year. 

“Despite an interrupted year due to COVID-19, our students have continued to display a remarkable level of dedication in all sports, at all levels,” Mr Kerr said. 

“We’re excited about being able to celebrate these achievements and to also help inspire our students to keep striving for bigger and better things.”

Dr Kate O’Brien, Director: Education and Research at SCS, said the awards are also a chance to thank the large number of people in our school communities that have contributed to the success of our sporting programs.

“In what has been a challenging year for sport in our schools, we truly appreciate the parents, school and community staff who work tirelessly to support our athletes to excel,” Dr O’Brien said. 

“It really is a team effort and so we are grateful for the …

November 30, 2021|
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2021 MacKillop swim stars

More than 900 athletes converged on Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, including 169 from Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS), all vying for their place at the NSW Primary Schools Sport Association (NSW PSSA) Swimming Championships.

SCS dominated the 22 March day-long MacKillop Swimming Championships, collecting an incredible 70 medals – 28 of which were gold.

SCS’ medal tally far outweighed any other Diocese in MacKillop, a region made up of Catholic schools in the southern part of NSW.

“It was a tremendous event at a great facility,” observed event organiser and SCS Specialist in Pre-Post Sport, Troy Moran.

The day belonged to the magnificent 10-year-old Roman Szabo, from St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Primary School Randwick North, who took home three gold and two silver medals.

Roman dominated in the 8-10 year-old 50-metre Breastroke, 8-10 year-old 200-metre Individual Medley and 10-year-old 50-metre Freestyle, also clinching well-deserved silvers in the 8-10 year-old 50-metre Backstroke and 8-10 year-old 50-metre Butterfly.

“I’m pretty happy with how I did. It was a good day” – Roman Szabo

Mia Hoo, from St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School Botany, picked up four medals – three of the shiniest gold colour. She blitzed the field in the 8-10-year-old 50-metre Butterfly, 8-10-year-old 50-metres Breaststroke and 8-10-year-old 200-metre Individual Medley, and also picked up a silver medal in the 9-year-old 50-metre Freestyle.

The Freestyle King from Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School Beverly Hills, Samuel Skrabak, secured two gold medals in the All-Age 100-metre Freestyle and 12-year-old 50-metre Freestyle, which he won by just over half a second. He also collected silver in the 12-13-year-old Butterfly event.

Moran thanked his team for pulling together a successful event.

“There are plenty of great people that I work with, who ensure that if there are any issues we’re onto them very quickly,” …

March 29, 2021|
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VIDEO: The goal is excellence

The heavens threatened to open up all day at Marco Reserve, Panania, as our primary schoolers battled it out for a place in the Sydney Archdiocesan Soccer team that will attend the MacKillop trials.

More than 60 boys and just over 50 girls from six zones across the Sydney Archdiocese vied fiercely on Tuesday 16 March for only 12 spots in each of the two teams.

There were some fine skills on offer, amazing goals and sensational saves, making it extremely difficult for selectors to pick the standout performers.

“The high calibre of skills on offer made it tough to pick a team and the quality of players keeps getting better every year,” selector Anna-Kate Turnbull said.

Rene Vella, Sydney Catholic Schools’ Education Officer: Pre to Post Sport, was grateful the rain stayed away for the greater part of the day, arriving only during the final game despite the ominous storm clouds.

“We had very competent staff on the day and the weather held off which was great,” Vella said.

“Parents and students were cooperative and took everything on they received from the briefing which all culminated in a very smooth day.”

Soccer is Sydney Catholic Schools’ biggest team sport and a major event for the diocese.

“It’s the largest event we run outside of swimming, cross country and athletics, and a sport that is consistently growing in popularity” – Rene Vella

One of the standout boys of the trial, Isaac Andrews, is looking forward to the next step in his soccer pathway.

“I’m really excited for the MacKillop trials and hopefully I can get selected (to progress),” said the silky midfielder.

The chosen few will now move onto the MacKillop Trials in Goulburn on Friday 23 April.

Sydney Archdiocesan Boys Team:

  • Holy Spirit Carnes Hill – Harper Surjan
  • John the Baptist Bonnyrigg Heights – Pietro Sanfilipo
  • Our Lady of the …
March 17, 2021|
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Photo Gallery: 2021 Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival recap

More than 450 students competed at the Sydney Catholic Schools Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival vying for berths at the MacKillop championships in Homebush.

Eighty-two Sydney Catholic schools were represented at the mammoth event, which needed to be split into two sessions due to COVID-19 regulations.

After months of being locked out of carnivals due to COVID, parents were also a welcome sight in the crowd at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre.

“By splitting the event, we reduced numbers allowing for parents to be present,” SCS’ Sport Education Office: Pre to Post, Rene Vella, said.

“The atmosphere isn’t there if the parents aren’t here” – Rene Vella

St Anthony’s Clovelly parents Peter Benic and Lisa Cummins were stoked to be poolside again.

“We’re just very happy things are back to being almost normal,” Mr Benic said.

“It’s nice to be back as a community” – Lisa Cummins

St Francis of Assisi Paddington mum Audrey Rana said she was “super excited” to be able to attend daughter Chloe’s first Archdiocesan event in person. “I’ll be screaming when she competes,” Ms Rana laughed.

How the day unfolded

Records tumbled at yesterday’s Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival, with one coming right at the end of the day to sign off the event in style.

The event kicked off with an incredible race in the Open Girls 100-metre Freestyle.

Mila Raven from Villa Maria Hunters Hill and Isabella Esposito from Our Lady of Lourdes Earlwood could not be separated, touching the wall at the same time to finish equal first.

Raven was definitely the star of the morning session, winning the Senior Girls Relay, 12-year-old 50m Freestyle and the Girls 12-13 year-olds 50m Backstroke.

Archdiocesan Swimming Carnival Peter with son Hugo, of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School Clovelly. Photo: Kitty Beale

Our Zone 6 star, St Patrick’s Sutherland swimming sensation Sophie Aungle …

March 10, 2021|
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Sibling swim stars

What do Jackson and Sophie Aungle and Olympic champions Cate and Bronte Campbell share in common?

Like Australia’s favourite swimming sisters, the Aungle siblings from St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Sutherland have been demonstrating their considerable swimming prowess.

Sibling swimmers with ribbons from the swimming carnival Jackson and Sophie Aungle at Zone 5 Swimming Carnival. Photo by Natalie Roberts

At Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Zone 5 Swimming Carnival, the duo swept all before them, picking up 11 ribbons between them – nine were blue, two were red.

Jackson secured blue ribbon after blue ribbon, gaining victories in the 11 Years 50-metre Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly events, before falling half a body’s length short in the Senior Boys (11-13 years) 200-metre Individual Medley and settling for second place.

“I didn’t beat any of my personal bests today but I think I did pretty well,” said a modest Jackson.

Ten-year-old Sophie placed first in the 10-Years 50-metre Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly events, and rounded it all off with a win in the 200-metre Individual Medley. The only race she didn’t win was the Junior Girls (8-10 years) Freestyle Relay.

“I’ve been swimming for a few years and I’ve already been at Mackillop so I want to get there again,” Sophie said with reference to the next competition level after the Archdiocesan Trials, for which she and her brother have now qualified.

“I want to get a race record because I don’t have any yet.”

The siblings agreed that right now Jackson is the better swimmer, but Sophie believes she’ll take the mantle soon enough.

“Jackson is the better swimmer, but he’s also …

February 16, 2021|
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