Term 1 is our busiest time of the year for School Sport Carnivals with the first event being our annual School Swimming Carnival held on Friday the 7^th of February (Week 2) at Balaklava Swimming Pool.

2025 BHS Swimming Carnival

Our 2025 Swimming Carnival will have a similar structure to the 2024 event, with some slight modifications as we transition back to full 50m events with the growth of a swimming culture in our community. 

We will again run our House Challenge activity in the morning for students that do not wish to compete in the stroke events to earn points for their house. This year’s House Challenge will run in sub schools for lesson 1. Students at school will then head to the pool at 10am. 

The morning session at the pool will include the 25m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle events. After recess will be the 50m Breaststroke, 50m Freestyle, 4 x 25m Medley Relay, 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay, Novelty events and the 50m Freestyle Handicap race. Students that wish to compete in the stroke events for participation only and not be considered for Interschool selection have the option to ‘opt out’ at 25m. 

The House Relay will again feature this year where each House supplies two teams comprising of 1 x teacher, 2 x students and 1 x parent/family member/ex-student. If you are interested in competing in the House Relay, make sure you pack your bathers! 

The school canteen will be available for students to order food by QKR (pre-ordered) which will be delivered to the pool. BBQ, food and drink will also be available for purchase at the pool. Keep an eye out on the School’s Facebook page in Week 2 for more details. Entry into the pool for all students is $2 and will be collected in morning Homegroup. Payment has already been received from some families via QKR and EFT. 

Top performers from our Swimming Carnival will be selected in the Interschool Swimming Team who will compete in the Lower North Zone Swimming Carnival on Monday Week 4, 17th February 9 am – 2:30 pm. Students selected in this team are expected to participate as per the School Sport Participation Policy, unless they have a medical certificate exempting their participation or a reasonable excuse that has been communicated with myself in a timely manner. A copy of the School Sport Participation Policy can be found in this edition of the newsletter along with information on the selection process of our School Sporting Teams.

Students selected in the Interschool Swimming Team will also be offered the opportunity to compete in the School Sport SA Secondary Swimming Championship at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre as an individual entry. The Individual Day will be held on Thursday Week 5, 27th February, please contact Caitlin Hanson for further information if your child is interested in competing. 

EdSmart Email Consent for 2025 BHS Swimming Carnival and Swimming in HPE lessons Week 2

On Wednesday morning, all families should have received an EdSmart email to consent for their child/ren to attend the 2025 BHS Swimming Carnival and Swimming in HPE lessons for Year 7-10 students in Week 2.

Due to recent changes to Department rules, parent consent must be given any time students leave school grounds. Therefore, for students to attend the Balaklava Swimming Pool, consent must be gained. 

If you have not done so already, please complete the consent form so that your child/ren can leave school grounds and attend the Balaklava Swimming Pool. Even if your child/ren do not wish to participate in any swimming activities, they will still need to have consent in order to leave school grounds and be at the swimming pool. This is particularly important for Swimming Carnival as there will be no teaching staff on site after recess on Friday Week 2 and all students that attend school must be at the pool. 

If you require a hard copy consent form to be sent home with your child, please contact the front office. 

Swimming in HPE lessons

Year 7-10 students will be swimming during their HPE double lesson during Week 2 (Tuesday to Thursday). See the timetable below to check when your child/ren will need to bring their bathers, towel and $2 for pool entry.

These lessons provide students the opportunity to practice in preparation for Swimming Carnival, build confidence in the water and be physically active.

You should have received an EdSmart email with the consent form for your child/ren to leave school grounds and attend the pool. If this has not been returned your child will remain at school under alternate supervision and complete an alternate learning activity. Please contact the front office if you require a hard copy consent form to be sent home. 

House Shirts

House coloured polo shirts are available to purchase from Tads Embroidery for students to wear for House Carnivals as well as making an excellent top to be worn for practical PE lessons. Tops are $30 each and can be personalized with your child’s name or nickname for an extra $12. Shirts are ordered directly through Tads Embroidery Balaklava. Please contact Caitlin Hanson if you have any questions or require further information. 

Important Sports Dates

Friday Week 2, 7^th February: BHS Swimming Carnival, 8:50 am – 3:15 pm @ Balaklava Swimming Pool

Monday Week 4, 17^th February: Lower North Zone Swimming Carnival, 9 am – 3 pm @ Clare Town Swimming Pool

Thursday Week 5, 27^th February: School Sport SA Secondary Swimming Championship, 9 am – 2:30 pm @ SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Marion

Friday Week 6, 7^th March: BHS Athletics Carnival, 8:45 am – 3:15 pm @ Balaklava High School

Thursday Week 8, 20^th March: Lower North Zone Athletics Carnival, 9 am – 2:30 pm @ Burra

Tuesday Week 11, 8^th April: School Sport SA Secondary Athletics Championship, 9 am – 2:30 pm @ SA Athletics Stadium, Mile End