Whilst the rain has been unbelievable for the country folk, it has been a minor irritation for the Physical Education department at the School.  Twice our carnivals have been postponed and we apologise for any inconvenience that this has caused families, students and staff.  Ms McGregor and Ms Currey in the Admin Office have done a fantastic job making countless phone calls to bus companies and parents ensuring that everyone is in the know with regards to these changes. The carnival has been scheduled for Tuesday February 25th at Kawana Aquatic Centre.  This is new venue we are using this year as it has a greater under-cover for the students to sit.  There will still be a need for a couple of shade tents for at least one of the houses and for parents.  Students are requested to be at the School at the normal time on Tuesday for roll marking.  They will then board buses for Kawana Aquatic Centre at approximately 8.45am.  We hope the first race will commence at approximately 9.30am. Spectators are most welcome. An entry cost for spectators applies.  Spectators are also requested to bring a folding chair to sit on as there is little or no seating for spectators once the students are placed in their house areas. Monday Night Netball As noted a couple of editions ago, this year Caloundra City Private School Netball has taken off!  We have been able to nominate three teams in the Monday Night Netball competition that begins on Monday 2 March at the Fisherman’s Road Netball Complex.  What makes this feat even more impressive is that 80% of the girls in Years Seven to Ten are playing in this competition.  The School would like to acknowledge the support that we have received from the proprietors of The Athletes Foot stores at Caloundra, Kawana and Maroochydore.  They have given valuable funds to purchase new uniforms for the Senior Team, given advice regarding the correct footwear to be worn and are working closely with the School to further develop Netball in the coming years. Netball training schedules have been released and are as follows; Junior Team – Tuesday Afternoon Sport and 7am Friday morning Intermediate Team – Tuesday Afternoon Sport and 7am Thursday morning Senior Team – 7am Thursday morning and another training time to be decided by the team. Game times and the season draw should be released and emailed to the parents in the coming days. Sporting Achievements Caloundra City Equestrian This is the second year that Caloundra City Private School has had students involved in Equestrian and Eventing through Equestrian Queensland.  Morgan Stanford (Year 10) has been busy training with her horse Wally and attending several lead up events as she attempts to achieve her goal to reach the State Championships later this year.  Over the weekend, Morgan and her horse Wally placed First overall in the Interschool’s Queensland Show Jumping – 80 cm category in a field of 28 riders.  Morgan also placed 3rd in AM5 and 4th in the Two Phase (Power & Speed) which resulted in her achieving a first place for the day.  Morgan is now able to proceed onto State Interschool’s later in Toowoomba later this year. Caloundra City Golf The impact that our golfers are having in the Sunshine Coast District and wider areas continues to be amazing.  The School had four golfer’s trial for the Sunshine Coast Regional Golf Team at Beerwah Golf Club last Tuesday.  Brock Olive (Year 12 Handicap +0.2), Megan Smith (Year 9 Handicap 6) and Sophie Thomsen (Year 7 Handicap 7) all gained selection and qualified to play in the State School Championships in Townsville later this year.  Alfie Ward (Year 7 Handicap 6) came fourth on the day but was overlooked in the seven person District Team for an older and more experienced player.  There will be many more opportunities for Alfie in the years to come. There are also many students currently trialing in the SCISSA District sports trials across 60 odd sports and many age groups. We wish these students all the very best at the trial days. Caloundra City Private School – Outdoor Education New Zealand Presentation Wednesday February 26th 8.30am. Tyson Kelley-Comb (2019 Senior Valedictorian and Year 12 2019) will speak at next week’s Whole of School Assembly about his experiences on the 2019 New Zealand Expedition.  Tyson and the expedition group overcame several days of very heavy rain, rising rivers and creeks and lots and lots of mud to cover the 120 kms hiking, 90 kms Mountain Biking and 270kms of Rafting.  Tyson will also show a small snippet of the expedition video whilst he is speaking.  A full copy of the video can be seen at https://vimeo.com/383656118  access code – ccpsnz2019. Year 7 and 8 students and parents will soon receive information about the Year 7 and Year 8 Outdoor Education Camp being held at Somerset Recreation Centre.  The camp will be held from Wednesday – Friday in Week One, Term Two.  Parents are requested to mark the Camp Information evening/session on Tuesday March 24th at 6.30pm in Raelene Boyle Hall Room #3 in their business and family calendars. The White Water Canoe Expedition planned for Easter holidays has had to have been postponed due to the injury that I have sustained to my knee.  Future voluntary holiday programs are hoped to run as planned in the June/July and September holidays.  These programs are open to all Year Nine – Twelve students, parents and community members.  I will discuss with the students and Duke of Edinburgh Award participants what style of programs and adventures they would like to do at these times and advise the community via this newsletter in the near future. Here’s hoping the Swimming Carnival can go ahead next Tuesday February 25th at Kawana Aquatic Centre. Go Gently everyone.  Peter McMahon Head of Physical Education, Sport and Outdoor Education.