Athletics Carnivals 2026

The Athletics Carnivals are the biggest House events of the year. Every student competes — points are awarded for participation as well as placings — and the results decide the Athletics Shield and a large share of the House Cup. Students wear their House polo (green MacKillop, blue Chisholm, gold Polding, red Romero), navy sport shorts, hat and runners. Parents are very welcome at both carnivals.

Junior Athletics Carnival — Friday 4 September 2026

Years 3–6, Main Oval, 9:00am–2:45pm. Students arrive at school as normal by 8:45am and go to their classroom; teachers walk classes to the House marquees on the Main Oval at 8:50am. Students compete in their age group (age as at 31 December 2026): 9/10 years, 11 years, 12/13 years, boys and girls. Each age group rotates through stations; every student does every event. Normal dismissal at 3:20pm.

Program of events — Years 3–6

Prep–Year 2 Mini Olympics — 9:30–11:00am

Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 hold their Mini Olympics on the Junior Oval at the same time: an opening parade in House colours at 9:30am, then ten fun stations (egg-and-spoon, sack race, bean-bag throw, obstacle course, hoop relay, tunnel crawl and more) with Year 6 House captains as station leaders, finishing with the Prep–2 House relay at 10:45am and ribbons for everyone. Parents are welcome on the Junior Oval sideline; classes return to normal lessons at 11:15am.

Senior Athletics Carnival — Tuesday 8 September 2026

Years 7–12, Ringwood Athletics Track (Proclamation Park, Ringwood). Students arrive at the College by 8:30am in House polo and sport uniform, go to Homeroom for roll call at 8:40am, and buses depart 8:45am. Buses leave Ringwood at 2:45pm and return to the College by 3:15pm for normal 3:25pm dismissal. Students may not travel privately to or from the venue unless a Portal permission form has been submitted by Monday 7 September. Age groups: 12/13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 20 years (age as at 31 December 2026).

Year 11 students: no Year 11 exams are timetabled on Tuesday 8 September — see Exam Timetables 2026.

Program of events — Years 7–12

Students nominate for up to five events plus relays on the Learning Hub by 5:00pm Wednesday 26 August 2026. Everyone runs the 100m unless medically excused; non-competitors in a time slot cheer from the House bays or help officiate.

What to bring (both carnivals)

• House polo, navy sport shorts, sport tracksuit (it is cold in the morning), white socks, runners
• Wide-brim hat or College cap and sunscreen — sunscreen is also available at First Aid
• Drink bottle (water refill stations at both venues), lunch and snacks — no glass, no energy drinks
• Asthma puffers and any medication, handed to the House teacher on arrival
• Senior students: spikes are permitted at Ringwood for track events (7mm max) — carry them in a bag
• Phones remain in bags (Senior) or at home (Junior) as per the Mobile Phones Policy

Parents and parking

• Junior carnival: parents are welcome on the Main Oval from 9:00am; sign in at the Junior gate marquee (no Working With Children Check needed to spectate). No parking on campus — use Chapel Road and side streets; Kiss-and-Drop rules apply 8:15–8:45am. Parents may take their child home directly after presentations by signing out with the class teacher at 2:45pm.
• Senior carnival: parents are welcome at Ringwood Athletics Track; free parking in the Proclamation Park car park off Greenwood Avenue. Students may leave with a parent at 2:30pm only if a Portal early-leave form has been submitted.

Wet weather and backup dates

Both carnivals proceed in light rain. If heavy rain, lightning or a Total Fire Ban is forecast, the decision is made by 7:00am and posted to the Parent Portal and SMS. Backup dates:

• Junior Athletics: Friday 11 September 2026 (House Spirit Day activities would then be combined with the carnival)
• Senior Athletics: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Ringwood booking held)

If both dates are lost, House points are awarded from the events completed.

CSSA Athletics Finals — Wednesday 16 September 2026

The top performers from the Senior carnival represent the College at the CSSA Athletics Finals at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. The team is announced on Wednesday 9 September. Details are on the Athletics page.

Recent results

House records (selected)

Records broken at the 2026 carnivals will be added here after ratification by the Director of Sport.

Contact

Senior carnival: Mr Luke Ferraro, sport@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au. Junior carnival and Mini Olympics: Mr Daniel Ruiz, juniorsport@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au. Phone (03) 9555 0100.