The tradition of swimming excellence at OGHS is alive, thriving.

At the 2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Swimming Championships, a powerhouse team of just five OGHS swimmers took to the water and delivered a stunning performance—bringing home 8 total medals, including 4 National Titles, 2 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals.

For nearly a century, Otago Girls' High School has celebrated elite aquatic talent, having athletes who have represented New Zealand on the world's biggest stages:

• Kathleen Miller – 1928 Amsterdam Olympics

• Ngaire Lane – 1948 London Olympics

• Jean Stewart – 1950 Empire Games & 1952 Helsinki Olympics (Bronze Medalist)

• Allison Calder – 1974 Commonwealth Games & 1976 Montreal Olympics

• Deborah Ledgerwood – 1974 Commonwealth Games

• Elizabeth van Welie – 2002 Commonwealth Games (Silver Medalist) & 2000 Sydney Olympics

Seeing our 2026 team step onto the podium in Auckland serves as a powerful reminder that our school’s rich tradition of aquatic brilliance continues to inspire new generations.

Auckland 2026: The Team Performance

Despite having a small squad, the OGHS team etched their names into the national standings with extraordinary team cohesion and grit.

Relay Triumphs

• GOLD MEDAL & NATIONAL CHAMPIONS | Senior Girls 4x50m Individual Medley Relay

  Hannah Ker-Fox, Olivia McBride, Isabella Miller, Ivy Weatherston-Harvey

• SILVER MEDAL | Senior Girls 4x100m Freestyle Relay

  Hannah Ker-Fox, Olivia McBride, Isabella Miller, Annalise Miller

• BRONZE MEDAL | Senior Girls 4x50m Freestyle Relay

  Isabella Miller, Olivia McBride, Annalise Miller, Ivy Weatherston-Harvey

National Titles & Medalists

Hannah Ker-Fox (Under 14)

• GOLD (National Champion): U14 400m Freestyle

• GOLD (National Champion): U14 100m Freestyle

• SILVER: U14 100m Individual Medley

In a display of true athletic toughness, Hannah secured two national titles and a silver before a severe head cold regrettably forced her to withdraw from her remaining three events—where she was entered as the top seed.

Annalise Miller (Under 15)

• GOLD (National Champion): U15 400m Freestyle

• BRONZE: U15 100m Freestyle

Top National Finals Finishers

The depth of the OGHS squad showed in strong performances across every age division:

• Ivy Weatherston-Harvey (U15): 5th in 100m Butterfly, 6th in 50m Freestyle, 10th in 100m Freestyle.

• Isabella Miller (U17–19): 5th in 200m Freestyle, 6th in 100m Freestyle, 9th in 100m Backstroke, 10th in 50m Butterfly.

• Olivia McBride (U17–19): 5th in 200m Breaststroke, 6th in 100m Breaststroke, 6th in 50m Breaststroke.

Next Stop: The Olympic Pathway

The excitement doesn't end with the national championships. In early July, Swimming New Zealand announced its National Youth Programme Squads (Olympic Pathway Programme)—a selection reserved strictly for the top two swimmers in the country in their respective age group and stroke.

Both Hannah Ker-Fox and Annalise Miller were selected for this prestigious programme, taking their first formal steps on the path toward following in the footsteps of Miller, Lane, Stewart, Calder, and van Welie.

We extend our huge congratulations to all five swimmers, their coaches, and their supportive families. Our alumni community couldn't be prouder to see the blue and white tradition carried forward with such speed, grace, and determination!

Photo credits: Swimming NZ and Steen Bech (@pihasteve)