Jacob and Team Hartigan showing spirit on the outside as well as the inside!
On Wednesday, February 9, St. Joseph's School held it's annual swim carnival at the Narrandera Pool. It was quite an exciting and fun day. Students from Year 3 to Year 6 (with a few strong year 2's) are involved in the all day carnival. The swimming races are divided into 2 groups: Championship and Non-Championship. The Championship races are timed and take place in the lane pool. Students who compete here are generally very strong swimmers in various strokes and if they have good times, they move on to the next level which is county, then regional and they can go to all-state depending on performance at each level. The non-championship races take place in the "Rampage" pool and students have the chance to try the different strokes but can stop and take a breather if they need it.
Spirited students taking in the races.
What I really like about the day is the show of team spirit and how all students are invited to compete and gain points for their house teams just by trying. I was placed in non-championship races and my job was to "start" the races. It was great to explain the race to the kids, line them up, start them out and then cheer them on - NO pressure, no scores or perfect form or times to keep. It was so enjoyable and the kids all did so well trying out the races. 
Jacob and Team Hartigan busting with team spirit for the house team "Cheer Off".
Students regardless of grade level sit with their house teams and cheer all day long for their teammates. They really get into it and make up songs as well as timeless cheers to try to drown out the other teams. In fact, points are actually awarded for the loudest cheering house. Jacob and I belong to the Hartigan house and although our team was second overall, it was first for loudest cheering - YAY HARTIGAN!
Jacob in the freestyle race (left) and the backstroke (right).
Jacob participated in the championship freestyle race and came third in his age group. I was so proud of him. He also tried out the breast stroke and the backstroke in the non-championship races. The butterfly was a little over the top so he sat that one out. He got into the cheering with his team and overall, I think he had a fun day.
Spirited students taking in the races.
What I really like about the day is the show of team spirit and how all students are invited to compete and gain points for their house teams just by trying. I was placed in non-championship races and my job was to "start" the races. It was great to explain the race to the kids, line them up, start them out and then cheer them on - NO pressure, no scores or perfect form or times to keep. It was so enjoyable and the kids all did so well trying out the races.
Jacob and Team Hartigan busting with team spirit for the house team "Cheer Off".
Students regardless of grade level sit with their house teams and cheer all day long for their teammates. They really get into it and make up songs as well as timeless cheers to try to drown out the other teams. In fact, points are actually awarded for the loudest cheering house. Jacob and I belong to the Hartigan house and although our team was second overall, it was first for loudest cheering - YAY HARTIGAN!
Jacob in the freestyle race (left) and the backstroke (right).
Jacob participated in the championship freestyle race and came third in his age group. I was so proud of him. He also tried out the breast stroke and the backstroke in the non-championship races. The butterfly was a little over the top so he sat that one out. He got into the cheering with his team and overall, I think he had a fun day.
They awarded trophies and ribbons to championship competitors and then the kids had a free swim to end the day. It was great fun and a memorable day for us as visitors. Now we can say that we participated in an outdoor swim competition in FEBRUARY!
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