Togs and Saussage Sizzles

After another week of school, it was finally Friday morning, and the day of the Swimming Carnival. When we came to school, everyone gathered at "the Oval" (a sports pitch at the school campus), and the roll was called. It was amazing to see everyone being dressed up in their house's colours. Everyone in my house was dressed blue and white, had coloured zinc all over their faces, blue bows in their hair, and blue floaties and swimming caps.

Swimming Carnival, from left to right: Candice, Imogen, Phoebe, Charli, and I

Right before we all left the Oval, each house did their war cry. My house was first, and we stood there in a huge circle. The seniors in the middle shouted:
"Melaleuca! Are you ready?"
Everyone in my house replied:
"Are we ever!"
Then we started jumping up and down, and all together we yelled:
"Blue White Blue
Hocka-tika Hocka-tika Karra-jarra Hah
Karra-jarra Hah Hah Karra-jarra Hah
Boomericka Bositicka Loo Doo Hoo
Melaleuca Melaleuca Blue White Blue"

Melaleuca Mafia

Ready, Set, Go!

After us Karragaroo house did their war cry, followed by Banksia house. When everyone was finished, we left for the swimming pool. The Swimming Carnival was ready to begin.

When all the girls were seated, the races started. The incredibly good swimmers with their unbelievable dives and perfect techniques amazed me. The races were divided in different age groups and types of swimming (e.g. butterfly, back-stroke, freestyle, etc.). First you heard a buzzer, all the girls put their hands up in the sky. Another buzzer, the swimmers got ready on their blocks. A whistle, and they all dived in the water while the supporters, with their hands still in the air, swung down their arms and said "whoo" as the swimmers hit the water. Then, the supporting began. All the houses sang songs and yells to support their contestants. "We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit, how 'bout you?" the houses shouted against each other in-between all their different yells.

When the "professional" races ended, the participation races started. Everyone had to swim, so that includes exchanges. We changed into our togs (they were St. Hilda's one pieces) and lined up for the race. It was hard not to start laughing, since everyone was wearing those ridiculous swimming caps.
Everyone just wanted to get to the other side of the swimming pool to earn points for their house (you didn't have to win to get points). Even though it wasn't much of a competition, I really enjoyed it. The participation races went on for an hour or so, and when this event had ended as well, there were House relay races.

Throughout the day, they sold sausage sizzles, smoothies, and chocolate Valentine hearts (since it was Valentines Day). We had two breaks, between the swimming races so we could have morning tea and lunch.

The day ended with a Fun race between the daygirls and the boarders. This was a relay race too, but every person or group of people from each team had to swim in another "style" than the previous swimmers. This was definitely the best event of the day.

It was such a great day; everyone was so into it, all dressed up and supporting their house in the loudest way possible. The atmosphere was very positive and it was all ‘round awesome!

New posts coming soon :)

Loulotte