St Paul’s School athletes chase gold at national championships

22/11/2024

​©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Paul's Catholic Primary School, Woodridge (2024).

Raw talent, dedication and encouragement have catapulted two students from St Paul’s Catholic Primary School Woodridge from their school oval to the national schools track and field championships.  

It’s the storyline of a movie but the athletic duo aren’t the only St Paul’s students achieving sporting success. 

Despite having just 340 students, including almost 70 per cent whose first language is not English, St Paul’s school has budding stars in athletics, Futsal and cricket. 

Year 6 student Geba and Year 5 student Matty will compete at the School Sport Australia Track and Field Championships in Sydney from 28 November, armed with recent titles won at the Queensland Schools championships. Geba is coming off impressive wins in the boys’ 11 years combined events and the 200m sprint, while Matty claimed the girls’ 10 years shot put. 

These results are encouraging for both athletes who only commenced structured training this year under the guidance of PE teacher Mrs Sam Scott and Year 6 teacher Mr Larry Lee with the backing of school principal Mrs Helen Boyes and the commitment of their parents.  

Matty first used a shot in a school PE lesson. Geba has harnessed his skills to the delight of his school mates who have begun following his and Matty’s exploits at representative level. 

As a sign of continued support for the school’s talent, St Paul’s will send Mr Lee to accompany the students and their families to the national titles to help them against Australia’s best young performers. 

These two athletes are an inspiration for all St Paul’s students who have been riding the journey with them through Logan, Metropolitan East and state championships. Their performances have sparked a strong interest in athletics at St Paul’s as more students develop their skills. 

The school has received a Go For Gold Government Grant to build a tartan runway and long jump pit on their oval to save regular trips to other venues to train. This facility will help future students who strive to emulate the efforts of the two Queensland representatives. 

Away from track and field, St Paul’s is building a strong contingent in other sports. Year 6 student Neriah has been chosen for a Futsal team – five-a-side indoor soccer – for titles in China next year.

Year 5 student John and Year 4 student Zekiel have also received Futsal selection for a world event in the Philippines next year. And young cricketer Dhaksha was chosen in the girls’ Metropolitan East schools’ team for the state titles.  

St Paul’s principal Helen Boyes said she was proud of the students. 

“This is very exciting for St Paul’s because we really want our students to have the same opportunities as anyone to achieve their goals,” Ms Boyes said.  

“We are a faith-filled community nurturing confident and creative contributors.  

“We have nearly 70 per cent of our students who speak a first language other than English so they have to work hard with the school curriculum to achieve to their potential. But sport speaks all languages and it provides a great opportunity for our students to have fun, test themselves and to improve against quality competition.”  

Sport also helps build school spirit. The spirit of St Paul’s will flow through Matty and Geba when they enter the Sydney stadium at the end of the month. 

For more information about St Paul’s School Woodridge or to enrol click here. 




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