This year we had a large number of students participating in our annual Cross Country Event. Despite the freezing, wet conditions, everyone managed to make their way down to Bishopscourt and make the best of this competition.

The day started with House chant-offs, a very competitive activity among the house captains. The chants helped to keep many Braemar girls warm as they jumped up and down with excitement when Miss Turnbull announced they had won the much sought after ‘Golden Chant-Off’!

The lolly buckets, which were full to the brim, began to empty as the girls eagerly awaited the call for their race. The first events of the day were the Year 7 and 8 races. All the girls performed extremely well, particularly the Rhodes sisters, with Lila winning the Year 7 race and Anya winning the Year 8 race. Superstar sisters! Winners of the other age groups were;

Year 9 = Catherine Lund

Year 10 = Jaime Reid

Year 11 = Rachael Turner

Year 12 = Maia Joseph

Year 13 = Meg Sycamore

The finishing line was a great example of the House Spirit that exists at Columba College, as many girls braved the cold to hand out lollies to participants as they crossed the line, congratulating their achievements. A special shout out goes to Ms Dixon, who selflessly gave her jacket to someone who was extremely cold!

Overall, Solway accumulated the most points, managing to win their second house event in a row, while Braemar won the House Spirit Stick. The cold and muddy conditions did not put a dampener on our annual Cross Country, and 2019 was yet another successful year. I am sure that with a little help from the weather gods, next year's Cross Country will be even more successful!

Alana Walsh