Liam McNally
Christ the Priest Primary School has finished the year with some top sporting accolades, taking home two medals from the state tennis championships and winning School Sports Victoria’s Sports School of the Year award.
Grade 5 and 6 girls won bronze, and the boys took gold at the SSV Tennis Primary Hot Shot State Finals at Kooyong Tennis Stadium on Monday, November 21.
Sports director and PE teacher Aron Lombardi, who was also awarded Tennis Victoria Community Champion of the Month in October, said getting to play at the former Australian Open stadium was “awesome” for the kids.
“The kids really enjoyed playing tennis, they worked really hard to get the results that they got, they did a really good job” he said.
Rhaiyne (11) said the competition was the “most fun [she] had all year”
“I like playing with my friends and winning a medal feels like a dream come true, representing the school and making them proud,” she said.
Two teams of eight students had been practicing since the beginning of term three with help training from the Caroline Springs Tennis Club’s iTennis program and had to pass district, division and regional levels to compete at state.
The students also had help training from the Caroline Springs Tennis Club’s iTennis program.
The schools efforts in sporting programs have also been recognised on a broader level. At a ceremony on Monday, December 5 the primary school was awarded Victoria Sports School of the year.
Mr Lobardi said it’s a “humbling reflection” of the work they’ve done to provide opportunities for students at the school.
“It’s a really supportive school and the kids have been fantastic and motivated, it’s been a good school community to be a part of in sport,” he said.
