STUDENTS from School of the Air, Tibooburra Outback Public School and White Cliffs Public Schools gathered in Broken Hill this week to participate in the annual School of the Air Athletics Carnival.
The carnival took place at Broken Hill North Public School Oval on Wednesday and Picton Oval on Thursday, with more than one hundred students attending and some travelling as far as 500kilometres to partake.
School of the Air Principal Kylie Green said that the camaraderie of the students on athletics day was wonderful.
“They love being a part of the community and our community love coming in,” Ms Green said.
“They’ve just travelled a bit further than the regular kids do for it.”
House captains Hugh Fitzgerald, Xavier Palmer, Georgie Gall, Imogen Mannion, Finn Siemer and Emma Zadow travelled from towns such as Ivanhoe, Wilcannia, Menindee, Packsaddle, Tibooburra, near Mutawintji and near White Cliffs to attend.
Some of the students learn with the assistance of Governesses, though students like Georgia Gall simply login to Microsoft Teams and work autonomously.
“I just log in and teach myself,” Georgie said.
The house captains said that they generally only come into Broken Hill once a term, and see each other at carnivals like this once or twice a year.
They said they’re used to seeing each other over Microsoft Teams but catching up with friends in real life is a different experience.
Ms Green said the athletics carnival is a highlight of the school year for all involved.
“Our athletics carnival is not only a celebration of physical activity and school spirit, but also a valuable opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills and progress to the next competitive level,” she said.
“It remains one of the highlights of our school calendar, with families always making a special effort to attend.”
