The 2025 NHSSA Inter-High Swimming Carnival was held in Week 9 of Term 1 at the Launceston Aquatic Centre. It is always fantastic to be able to provide our students with the opportunity to compete in this great facility and compete against the best swimmers from rival schools within the NHSSA district.

This year, we introduced a training session at Launceston Aquatic Centre the week prior to the carnival to help build confidence and team spirit. This session was invaluable, particularly for our students who do not swim regularly at club level, as they were able to practice their stroke technique and starts from the blocks. Some of our more experienced swimmers helped others with technical tips to build confidence and proficiency.

Riverside High started the carnival well with strong performances in the Medley Relay races. We were able to win several 1st places in the 50m Freestyle events, our Grade 7 and 8 girls; and Grade 10 boys performed particularly well in these events. Competition was strong from other schools, with Queechy High School and Prospect High School providing strong swimmers. By the halfway mark of the carnival, Riverside High School were winning the junior shield, although we were sitting in third place behind Queechy High School in the Overall Shield.

With relays worth double points, Riverside High School were confident we could close the overall shield points gap to Queechy High School and Prospect High School. We performed well in several of the relays, with the Grade 7 and 8 girls, and the Grade 10 boys dominating their 4 x 50m freestyle relay races.

Riverside High School managed to slightly close the gap in the overall shield, however we were not able to advance further on our 3rd placing that we found ourselves at the halfway mark. On a positive note, our junior team were able to regain the Junior Shield with strong performances across our Grade 7 and 8 boys’ and girls’ competitors. On an individual note, Ruby L from Grade 7, broke both the Grade 7 Girls 50 metres Freestyle and Butterfly records by approximately half a second in each race and was also able to take out the Open Girls 100 metres Freestyle event against the older competitors. Archer R performed very strongly in the Grade 10 boys, winning multiple individual events and relays. All students displayed great determination and passion in representing Riverside High School.

Although we were not able to regain the Senior and Overall shields for the school, we should all be proud of our students’ efforts at the carnival. We will once again look forward to next year and aim to return all shields to the school.

We offer our thanks and congratulations to our fellow competition schools, parents for coming out and supporting our students, and all members of the Riverside High swimming team for the way that you competed and represented our school with pride.

Adam Sanders
HPE Coordinator AST

On Thursday, 3^rd April, the Inter-High Swimming Carnival was held at the Launceston Aquatic Centre. Riverside High School sent a team of 43 students, made up of swimmers, Health and Wellbeing Prefects, and a Journalism student.

The day started well with some early wins in the Junior division. The senior students competed well; however, they were not able to match the points accrued by Queechy High School.

Year 7 student Ruby L was exceptional, breaking long-standing records in the 50m butterfly and the 50m freestyle. With sustained success in many year 7 and 8 races, Riverside High School ran away with the Junior Shield, winning over Prospect High School with Queechy High School in third place.

The Year 9 and 10 students, despite their outstanding efforts and commitment, were unable to bridge the gap to Queechy High School, who were victorious in the senior shield, with enough points to take home the overall shield ahead of Prospect High School, with Riverside High School in third place.

It was an amazing way for our students to showcase their swimming talents and compete against other high schools in northern Tasmania. The atmosphere was filled with positivity, cheering, and amazing sportsmanship.  

Congratulations to all participants and thank you to all the staff for making this event possible. Also, thanks to the Newstead College sports students and our Wellbeing Prefects for their assistance in ensuring this event ran smoothly.                                         

Jaelyn H
Journalism Student