On Friday 24 May, Junior School students took part in our first Junior School House Cross Country at the Carey Sports Complex – Bulleen. With clear blue skies and beautiful autumn weather, the morning offered a calm and welcoming setting for students to engage with the experience ahead.
Across courses ranging from 500 metres to 3 kilometres, there was a shared focus on having a go, persisting when things felt challenging and encouraging others along the way. Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us that, ‘What lies within us is far greater than what lies before us’ – a sentiment reflected throughout the morning as many students drew on quiet self‑talk to keep going when bodies worked harder, hearts pounded and the physical demands increased.
Along the course, moments of encouragement and connection were evident, including a welcome lift from Barkley, our therapy dog, who was stationed at a checkpoint and offered an extra moment of joy and reassurance for many students.
The House Cross Country was about running your own race, while also being part of something shared. It brought students together across year levels and, with the support of staff and families, reflected the strong sense of connection that sits at the heart of our Junior School.
While students proudly represented their Houses, what stood out just as clearly was the way they supported one another – a genuine expression of Junior School spirit.
Mel Brown
Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing and Community
