South Island Secondary School Winter Tournament 2024
This year our school participated in several tournaments with some fantastic successes.
This year, our school participated in several tournaments:
WHS A netball team: Our Senior A Netball team competed in Christchurch from September 2nd to 5th.
Combined School Hockey team: They competed for the Jenny MacDonald Cup in Ashburton from September 2nd to 6th.
SISS Equestrian Championships: This event took place in Christchurch from September 2nd to 5th, and Esther Birchfield participated.
Secondary School Rugby 10’s festival: It was held from September 1st to 3rd in Westport. Monaro Morgan-Vaafusu represented Greymouth High School.
SISS Combined Hockey School 2024: A Season of Triumph and Team Spirit!
What an incredible tournament it has been for our combined school hockey team! From start to finish, this journey has been filled with all sorts of emotions, and we are thrilled to announce that our team has brought home the silver medal after a tough final against the combined Timaru Girls / Roncalli College team.
Our team, representing Westland, Greymouth, and JP II High School, demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience throughout the tournament. Here’s a recap of our fantastic journey:
First Game: We kicked off the tournament with a spectacular 6-0 victory over Logan Park High School, despite challenging windy conditions.
Second Game: Our energy and momentum carried us to a phenomenal 12-0 win against Riccarton High School.
Third Game: We faced a tough opponent in Kaiapoi High School but emerged victorious with a solid 4-1 win.
Semifinal: In a nail-biting semifinal against Mid Canterbury, our team showcased their grit and determination, winning 1-0 in a closely contested match.
Final: Facing off against the formidable combined Timaru Girls / Roncalli College team, we fought hard but ultimately lost 0-4. Both teams played exceptional hockey, and while they came out on top, we are immensely proud of our silver medal finish.
We’ve set a high standard for ourselves for next year, and we’re already looking forward to the challenge!
A massive thank you to our fantastic managers Trish Barlow, Katrina Simpson, and Andrea Stevenson, as well as our coach Brijen Parikh. Your hard work and support have been instrumental in our success, and we couldn’t have achieved this without you.
Special Mentions:
Top Goal Scorer: Our team was the top goal scorer of the tournament, demonstrating our offensive prowess.
Individual Achievement: Grace Hahn was among the top 4 goal-scorers, showing incredible skill and dedication. 🌟
Here’s to celebrating a successful season and gearing up for an even better one next year. Bring it on!
South Island Secondary Schools Netball Tournament 2024: WHS A Team Recap
Day 1: A Challenging Start
The WHS A netball team faced a tough opening with a match against Waimate. Nerves were evident as the team fell behind 3-8 in the first quarter and ultimately lost 15-29. Despite the score, there was a silver lining—our girls won the third quarter 5-4, proving they could compete at a high level. Standout performances from Lissy Inglis and Rebekah Provis on defense, with crucial turnovers and impressive defensive plays, highlighted the game.
The next challenge was Timaru Girls High School. A slow start saw us down 3-14, but the team rallied, winning the second quarter and keeping pace in the third and fourth quarters. Freya Craig excelled as WA, feeding her shooters, and Jorja Kyle’s high work rate as C was inspiring. The girls are starting to realize the level of competition and are fighting hard for every ball.
Day 2: Tough Battles and Key Wins
Our second day began with an early 9 am game against Twizel. It was a physically intense match, and despite a strong comeback in the last two quarters, Twizel’s early lead secured them a 34-18 victory. Jessie Smith and Clare Peters stood out with their contributions in attack and defense.
Turning focus to the next pool play, we faced Aparima. Ani Mason’s impressive performance at GS helped us build an early 10-3 lead. Though Aparima fought back in the second quarter, we regrouped, forced turnovers, and secured a 29-18 win with a strong third quarter performance. Upcoming games against Buller and Fiordland will be crucial.
Day 3: Determined Efforts and Narrow Wins
A long day started with a 12:45 pm game against Buller. The match was close for three quarters, but WHS A surged ahead in the last quarter to win 31-20. Ngaio Fleming’s performance at GA and GS, and solid defensive efforts from Clare Peters and Jessie Smith, were key to our success.
In the evening game against Fiordland, the team faced a tough opponent who initially took control. However, WHS A fought back to lead in the second, third, and final quarters, securing a 20-19 victory. The high error rate from fatigue was evident, but our resilience shone through. The team now prepares to play for 17-20th position on the final day.
Day 4: The Final Push
Our final day began with a 9 am game against Trinity Catholic College. The match was low-scoring and physically demanding, reflecting the impact of four days of intense competition. WHS A stepped up in the second quarter and held on for a 19-17 win, advancing to the plate event for 17th-18th place in B Grade.
In the last game of the tournament against Twizel, we aimed to correct our earlier defeat but struggled to gain momentum. Despite some fun position switches in the last quarter, Twizel proved too strong, and we finished the game with a 10-5 loss. It was a spirited end to the tournament, and the team showed great sportsmanship and resilience.
Farewell and Reflections
A special farewell to our Year 13 students—Freya Craig, Clare Peters, and our amazing captain, Jorja Kyle. Their leadership and growth throughout the tournament were remarkable. The team’s improvement, finishing 18th out of 32 teams in B Grade, is a testament to their hard work.
We also enjoyed supporting our neighboring schools and celebrating our umpire Ricole MacRae’s achievements. A huge thank you to the parents and Principal Nic Richards for their unwavering support during the tournament. And of course, a special shoutout to our amazing team coach Angela Keenan and manager Kelly Kyle for their dedication and support. We're excited to keep the momentum going and create more wonderful memories next year!
Can't wait for SISS in Dunedin!
SISS Equestrian: Esther and Kaycee Make Waves in Dressage and Arena Eventing
The SISS equestrian competition has proven to be a thrilling journey for Esther and her talented horse, Kaycee. Their performances throughout the week have captured the attention of spectators and judges alike, demonstrating their unwavering dedication and skill.
Dressage Highlights: Esther and Kaycee made a strong impression in the dressage arena from the outset. They began the week with a commendable 10th place finish in a highly competitive class. Their impressive consistency was evident as they maintained this position in their next dressage event. On the final day of dressage, they elevated their game, achieving a notable 9th place despite a challenging field. Esther’s meticulous focus and Kaycee’s agility have truly shone through in this discipline, marking them as a formidable pair.
Arena Eventing Success: Day 2 of the competition saw Esther and Kaycee take center stage in the arena eventing category. Competing against a field of 44 riders in the 80cm class, they secured an impressive 3rd place. This result is a testament to their excellent teamwork, rigorous preparation, and deep commitment to the sport. Their performance in arena eventing not only highlighted their capability but also underscored their potential for future successes.
Overall Achievement: On the final day of the competition, Esther finished 21st out of 109 riders in the Overall Best Performed Year 9 & 10 Rider category. This achievement reflects her consistent performance and dedication throughout the event. We are incredibly proud of Esther and her accomplishments, which underscore the hard work and passion she brings to the sport of equestrianism.
Esther and Kaycee’s journey through the SISS equestrian competition has been remarkable, showcasing their talent and perseverance. We anticipate more impressive performances from them in future events.
Exciting Conclusion to the Secondary Schools Girls 10’s
The third edition of the Jennian Homes Secondary Schools Girls 10’s tournament wrapped up at Craddock Park in Westport, delivering three action-packed days of rugby. With support from Secondary Schools Sport NZ and NZ Rugby, the event drew teams and athletes from across the South Island, making it a standout occasion on the school rugby calendar.
Greymouth High School’s Performance: Representing Greymouth High School, Monaro Morgan-Vaafusu and her team competed fiercely throughout the tournament. Over the first two days, Greymouth High School faced a series of challenging opponents, including Timaru Girls High, the Stoke-Queen Charlotte College combined team, Marlborough Girls College, Rangiora High School, and St Andrews College. They concluded their campaign with a match against Buller High School on the final day.
A Platform for Development: As pathways to professional careers in women’s rugby continue to expand, the Jennian Homes Secondary Schools Girls 10’s provided a crucial platform for players to showcase their skills against top-tier competition. The tournament offered valuable exposure to selectors from the Super Rugby Aupiki side, Matatū, and NZ Rugby, highlighting its importance for aspiring rugby stars.
Learning and Growing: For the Greymouth High School team, the tournament was a valuable experience. While the results might not have been what they hoped for, head coach and West Coast Rugby Development Officer, Robbie Maitland, highlighted the importance of the challenges they faced. He’s confident that the lessons learned will help the team grow and improve in the future.
The Jennian Homes Secondary Schools Girls 10’s was a fantastic event full of excitement and learning opportunities. As the tournament concluded, everyone left with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for future matches. We’re proud of all the players and can’t wait to see where their rugby journeys take them next!