Year 3 - 6 Swimming Connection Day
Ms Janet Dawson
Picture this: an electric atmosphere in the air ... cheering students, bright house colours worn to support the teams, face paint, teachers wearing tutus, swim caps on and goggles in place for the competitors … on your mark, get set … BANG! They're off....
This was the scene at the 2024 Primary Swimming carnival. We had seven of our Distance Education (DE) students and their Supervisors visit with us and join in the fun. It was wonderful to connect with them and have them be a part of the Swim Carnival atmosphere.
Mr Reifler, Mrs Peisley, Mrs Allen and Miss Dawson loved chatting with the DE students. Many pictures were taken, showing lots of happy faces.
If you get the chance to come to one of the DE Connection Days, please do. They are a terrific way to meet new friends as well as the awesome DE teachers.
CIS Sports Awards Presentation
Mr Luke Reifler
Our Distance Education (DE) program caters for a wide range of students, from Kindergarten to Year 12, with varying reasons for learning from home or whatever location they are. This includes elite athletes who have the challenge of balancing their schooling with their sporting or artistic pursuits. One such ACC Distance Education student, who graduated from Year 10 in December 2023, is 16 year old swimmer, Rafaela Kopellou.
On Friday 23 February, 2023 the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) 2023 Sport Awards Presentation were held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Special honours were given to former DE Year 10 student, Rafaela Kopellou, for her outstanding achievements in Swimming.
Rafaela’s performance at School Sport Australia capped off an outstanding year of school swimming. Rafaela showed her strength over longer distances, winning:
Gold in the 15-16 Years 200m Individual Medley
Gold in the 200m Butterfly
Silver in the 400m Individual Medley
Rafaela received a 2023 CIS Blue Award with Honours (CLICK HERE to view a video of her receiving her award). Mr Reifler joined Rafaela and her parents at the awards presentation.
After completing Year 10 in 2023, Rafaela left school and is now even closer to the water. Each day, her routine includes her swim training regimen, and she now works at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in and around the pool. While she refines and develops her swimming skills, she also now guides and supervises others with their swimming.
Her eyes are fixed on competing at the Australian Nationals, as well as a bigger goal of one day qualifying for the Olympics. Rafaela is a talented and dedicated swimmer - we are so proud of her achievements and wish her well for the future!
