Norfolk Island Central School swimming carnival

Norfolk Island Central School (NICS) provides education for students K to 12. There are 300 students and more than 20 teachers. It is one of the most loved events for locals who live on Norfolk Island.

The school has many of the sporting activities that you would normally expect of a central school – athletics carnival, cross country racing, and an annual swimming carnival.

This week the swimming carnival was held. Not in a swimming pool like you would expect. But something far better – the magnificent Emily Bay that lies in the World Heritage listed Kingston area of NI. The pool is from the beach to the pontoon anchored in the middle of Emily Bay.

Family and friends took timeout from work to go to the beach for the carnival. They lined the shore, enjoyed picnic lunches, barracked for their kids and their team, and put on a very proud show of that community spirit that is such a force in NI.

And competition is friendly, fair, and fierce. Three house teams – Norfolk, Phillip and Nepean – named after the three islands in the Norfolk group, compete in individual, relay, and beach events.

This year the winning house was Phillip, with Nepean second and Norfolk third.

It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all. Well done everyone!

We hope you enjoy these photos from this year’s swimming carnival.