The aim of swimming sports at Marian College is to have as many students as possible join in
fun water activities and gain points for their whānau. Having two grades of swimming and novelties means that students can feel comfortable at their level. These sports also enable swimming champions to be identified and allow a selection of students to swim in the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Swimming Championships which will be held on Tuesday 31 March 2026.

Marian College Whānau Swimming Sports
Date: Friday 27 February
Venue: Parakiore Recreation & Sport Centre, 50 St Asaph Street, Christchurch
Start time: 9.30am Finish time: 2.00pm
Transport: All students and staff are required to make their own way to and from Parakiore. No bus transport will be provided.

Food: Students will need to bring lunch, snacks and a drink bottle. They will have a lunch break at the pool.

Uniform: Students are to wear their whānau colours to school and, if swimming, with their togs
underneath. NB: no paint, feathers or streamers are to be used during this event.

Absences: If students are unwell and unable to attend the swimming sports, a parent or caregiver must contact the school office. Unexplained absences will be marked as truant, and students will
be required to make up the time.

We expect all students to attend this day whether or not they are swimming. This relates directly to the values upheld by the College and pride in whānau.

Swimming Event Categories:

There are two grades: STUDENTS MAY ONLY ENTER ONE GRADE
Championship Grade: for competitive swimmers - 50 metres
Non Championship: for less able swimmers - 25 metres

Novelties*: This is aimed for less confident swimmers in order to maximize student participation.

Whānau Relays: There are age group freestyle relays, four in each. You may go up an age group, but may only swim in one freestyle relay. There is also an open grade whānau medley relay.

*Only Non Championship grade swimmers are permitted to enter novelty races.
 

How to enter: These will be done in Wa Whānau. All Championship grade students, will be issued with a programme and a print out of the events they have entered during the week prior to swimming sports.

All entries, except the whānau relay races, will be organised during the week prior to the swimming sports. Any student who has entered in an event but is no longer able to swim, must bring a note on the day to advise of this.

Any queries please contact Mrs Huia sports@mariancollege.school.nz

Article added: Tuesday 24 February 2026