Dear Parents/ Guardians
I am delighted to share that since our last update, Modbury High School has been abuzz with a range of exciting and memorable events. It has been a busy and rewarding period, and I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate our students’ successes and the energetic spirit that continues to flourish within our school community.
On Friday, 6 March, our annual Sports Day was held, and it was a tremendous success. I was very proud to see our students wholeheartedly embracing the spirit of the event and participating enthusiastically in all sporting activities. As always, the friendly rivalry between houses was evident, with every student striving to see their house crowned as the winning team. This year, the anticipation was particularly high to see if Gilmore would hold onto their title. When it was announced that Lawson was the victorious house for 2026, the jubilation from all—except, of course, from Gilmore—was so resounding that I am sure it could be heard all the way to our neighbouring primary school!
A very big thank you goes to Shelby Nelligan and the PE faculty for their dedicated planning and organisation, which ensured the day ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all. Thank you also to all staff for their commitment and involvement on the day.
Following Sports Day, our school competed in the Northern Athletics Carnival. I am delighted to announce that Modbury High School achieved first place overall! The commitment of our students and staff in the sporting arena is extraordinary, and I would like to congratulate all athletes and the staff who have supported them so enthusiastically.
On Monday, 16 March, we held our annual Student Voice inauguration. Our student captains, with the support of Mr Yeend who MCed the event, led a memorable assembly. Student Voice representatives were formally introduced to the school community, pledging their commitment to represent their peers. After the assembly, families joined us for morning tea to celebrate this achievement. The morning continued with the SVC Congress, where students engaged in leadership development, identified initiatives for school improvement, and provided valuable feedback for our strategic focus over the next three to four years. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Yeend for his organisation of both the assembly and the SVC Congress.
On Friday, 20 March, we celebrated our Year 12 Formal at Ayers House. It was wonderful to see our students arrive, looking spectacular. Rylen and Isha Bane did a fantastic job as MCs for the evening, and Jess Freebairn gave a heartfelt speech reflecting on their high school journey so far. After a delicious meal, students filled the dance floor and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Events such as this couldn’t happen without a great deal of planning—my congratulations to the Formal Committee and Ms O’Brien Dent for their excellent organisation. Everything ran smoothly, and it was truly an evening to remember for all.
My thanks also go to the following students and their parents who assisted in setting up the venue: Melissa Benton, her mum Carol, and sister Maddison; Charli Hodson and her mum Lauren; Hannah Merrett; and Mrs Woolford. Your efforts were greatly appreciated.
Thank you to everyone, students, staff, and families—who continue to contribute to our vibrant school community.
Joanne Costa
Principal
Sports Day 2026: A Celebration of Team Spirit and Athletic Excellence
On Friday, 6th March, Modbury High School held its annual Sports Day, a highlight of the school calendar. Once again, the four houses—Gilmore (Yellow), Wright (Red), Lawson (Blue), and Thiele (Green)—competed for the prestigious Dean Stringer House Shield, an award that honours Dean’s lasting contribution to the Modbury High School community.
The day began with incredible energy, as students and staff arrived early to set up, with many on-site before sunrise. The competition kicked off at 7:30 am with field events, hurdles, and the 1500m race. By 9:00 am, the official welcome was delivered by Mr. Riley Harrap, setting the stage for an action-packed day.
A much-loved tradition, the Modbury High School Torch Relay, was a spectacular start to the opening ceremony. The Year 12 House Captains, proudly wearing their team colours, carried an Olympic-style torch around the track before last year’s champions, Gilmore, symbolically lit the cauldron.
Throughout the event, Mr. Harrap’s lively announcements captured the strong competition and sportsmanship on display. The crowd was treated to thrilling races, standout performances, and impressive new records. A major highlight was the inaugural ‘Modbury Gift’, which saw the school’s nine fastest athletes compete in front of a packed audience, with Zoe Tompkins claiming the grand prize.
The addition of a teachers’ Modbury Gift this year was another highlight of the day. Traditionally run for students, the event expanded to include ten teachers battling it out for bragging rights, with Mr Greenfield ultimately coming out victorious. Meanwhile, the Formal fundraiser kept everyone well-fed with a delicious BBQ, while Ms. Lauren Freeth’s coffee cart provided refreshments throughout the day. Both were made possible thanks to the efforts of dedicated parents, staff and students.
In a fiercely competitive battle, Lawson came out on top to secure the Dean Stringer House Shield, claiming their first win in six years and finally bringing Gilmore’s winning streak to an end.
Several new records were set throughout the day, showcasing the outstanding performances of our athletes. A full list of record-breaking achievements can be found below.
Our Values Awards were also awarded, recognising students who exemplified our school’s core values throughout the day. Congratulations to our well-deserved winners:
Well done to all recipients for demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship and commitment!
| Lawson | Wright | Gilmore | Thiele | |
| TOTAL | 974 | 938 | 907 | 864 |
A huge thank you goes to the PE team for their outstanding support and organisation and to all staff, students, and volunteers who made the day such a success. Congratulations to all our champions, and we now look forward to taking our strongest team to the upcoming Vista and SSSA Athletics Carnivals—based on the performances we saw, we can’t wait to see what they achieve!
Shelby Nelligan
Sports Coordinator
On the 18th of March, 115 of our students attended the North-Eastern Vista Athletics Carnival at Bridgestone Athletics Centre, competing against seven other schools in the area. Across the day, our students participated with passion, demonstrated unity, and showed great accountability. They should be extremely proud of the way they represented themselves and our school.
At the conclusion of the event, we were thrilled to come away as overall winners, finishing with an impressive total of 2,798 points. This outstanding achievement is a reflection of the students’ hard work, determination, and commitment to giving their best in every event. It was fantastic to see students supporting one another, celebrating successes, and displaying excellent sportsmanship throughout the day.
Congratulations to all students involved on an incredible team effort! This is a result the entire school community can be proud of.
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