Students gathered at the Benalla YMCA Aquatic Centre on February 18 for the school’s swimming carnival, a day filled with competitive races, enthusiastic house support, and impressive achievements.

A student dives into the pool during a race at the school’s 2026 swimming carnival.

Mr Appleford, who played a key role in preparing and organising the carnival, explained that “careful planning and teamwork are essential to ensuring the day runs smoothly.” He said he initially assigns roles to staff and holds a meeting the week before the event to address any issues and clarify responsibilities. Checklists are used to ensure equipment is organised, and the program finalised, with Mr Appleford ultimately overseeing how everything fits together. Reflecting on the day, he said he most enjoys “seeing all the kids getting in the water and having a good time,” adding that “the more students who participate, the better.” He was particularly impressed by the Year 7 cohort, noting that several records were broken and that some students stepped up to compete in older relay teams after their impressive performances.

One of the highlights of the day was the students versus teachers race, where Miss Isaacson proudly represented the staff. She explained that the most challenging moment came “when I got three-quarters of the way down the pool and couldn’t see the end,” admitting she had not swum often in the past 12 months and “definitely felt the pain.” Despite the physical demands, she emphasised that participation is about enjoyment rather than winning.

Another staff member who competed was Andy, who joined the team at the last minute. He admitted feeling nervous before the race but said he swam “as fast and as hard as I could.” Offering advice to students, he stressed the importance of preparation and encouraged competitors to train beforehand and be ready for race day.

Overall, the 2026 school swimming carnival was a successful, fun, memorable day, bringing together students and staff in a celebration of competition, teamwork, and school spirit. From record-breaking Year 7 performances to the entertaining students-versus-teachers race, the event showed determination, sportsmanship, and a strong sense of community. With enthusiastic participation both in and out of the pool, the carnival once again proved to be a highlight of the school year.

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