[photo of athletics carnival / photo credit: Yujin Son]

Recently, Australian International School held an athletic carnival for both its secondary and primary school on the 7th of March, 2023. 

The school started to plan the system and enthusiastic atmosphere that pre-covid athletic carnivals had since the beginning of the 2022 athletic carnival.    

All the secondary school students had their own designated time and location, while all the primary school students also had their own schedule to ensure no clashes existed between the two events.

The school has four different houses, which are Derwent, Murray, Fitzory, and Lachlan. 

Students are expected to wear their house shirt, which are coordinated by colour.: Derwent, Blue; Lachlan, Red; Murray, Yellow; Fitzory, Green; 

Students are allowed to wear or bring any props that can symbolize the mascot of their house, or represents the colour of their house, in an expression of strong house spirit. 

In preparation of the athletic carnival, students from year 6 to year 8 were gathered in each of their houses, and practiced their house chants and sharks chants together to familiarize everyone with their house’s chants: house chants are different for each house, containing their houses’ special traits. 

In the middle of the athletics carnival, students gathered in their house groups and sang their house chants, showing their great passion and house spirit. 

The Charity CCA (co-curricular activities)called ‘Schools For Schools’, that many year 11 students participate in, initiated a ice kacang and sausage sizzle sale in order to raise donation funds. 

Numerous students showed their support to the charity by buying the ice kacangs and sausage sizzles, and all the food was sold out by the end of the carnival. 

House prefects, who manage all the house related works at school, sent a form containing the different sports that students can apply to participate in the athletics carnival. 

Students can join either A sports or B sports, and the main event was running,  of which there were both short and long options.  

A sports are for students who want to compete with other peers, while B sports are for students who would like more leisurely participation, regardless of the competition. 

Making a contribution to either of the activities gives house points to their respective houses, and, therefore, students are highly encouraged to take part. 

Other various activities also exist for students to enjoy the day, such as egg and spoon races, tug of wars, basketball and others. 

Songs were played as background music and students were free to eat at their own leisure. 

Supervisor teachers oversaw the event to ensure the safety of the students, especially when the secondary and primary school students moved venues to a big stadium via bus. 

Teachers also gave safety instructions, such as putting on sunscreen to avoid sun burns, so everyone could safely the carnival.