Sport

2025 GPS Sports and Activities Selections – Changes window

We would like to provide all families a final opportunity to check and amend boys’ 2025 GPS sports and activities selections.

The portal link will be reopened for the final time between Monday 2 September at 6 am to Thursday 12 September at 6 pm.

After 12 September, further changes will be processed via the Sports Selection Amendment Request Form via the Sports Office (for amendment form instructions, visit myChurchie – Cocurricular programmes).

Please note:

• Only parents have access to the portal link and students’ GPS sports and activities selections must be submitted by parents.
• This is the FINAL opportunity to amend any previous selections before 2025 selections are finalised. Please log back into the system now to make any changes.
• Service and cadets preference processes are administered via the subject selection process.
• Music and the creative and performing arts selection processes follow the same process as GPS sports and activities selections.

Please click on the relevant links for access: myChurchie – 2025 GPS Sport and Activities Selections

After another exciting GPS round seven at home against IGS, we invite everyone to view the weekend’s results summary via myChurchie – GPS Sports and Activities.

Trent Goodrick
Head of Cocurricular

Basketball

Churchie’s round seven opponent, Ipswich Grammar School, has built a strong foundation of younger players and is always a tough opponent across the age groups, particularly in A teams.

On the day, we maintained 31 of our 40 teams in the running to win their competition with just one round to go. Some of the round’s best performances included a 101–22 8B win, the 80–0 5B win, as well as the 99–3 7D victory. The effort and attitude shown by our Churchie basketballers this past week is a credit to all boys, parents and coaches.

A final reminder that the new system for nominating to play the Term 4 and 1 season for Vikings Club Basketball is in place. Please complete this by tomorrow’s deadline. More information is available on the Vikings page.

Good luck to all teams this weekend and I look forward to seeing our boys, parents and coaches continue to show a high standard of sportsmanship and conduct as we finish the season and head towards the Basketball Awards Dinner for boys in Years 7 to 12 and the Vikings Presentation Day for those not in the Years 7 to 12 programme. Head to the above links to register for these end-of-season events, as registration for these will close soon.

First V report

The First V knew their task at hand against Ipswich Grammar School was simple: a win would secure a GPS premiership. The weight of this task was evident across most of the game, impacting the normally free-flowing Churchie offence. While the inside/outside game of senior Jake Miles-Wrency, the timely 3s of Year 11 guard Kai Summerfield and the drives to the hoop by Year 9 guard Andrew Watene kept the scoreboard ticking over, Ipswich forced numerous first-half turnovers, leading to a halftime score of 54–50. Much like the game between these two schools last year, this was going to be a game in which Churchie would need to keep the pace up to secure a win. Behind a 34–29 third-quarter run, Churchie managed to set up the game behind a huge third quarter from Jake Miles-Wrency and the team. Jake’s 13 third-quarter points could not have been more timely. A strong finish to the game from Connor Davidson, who scored eight down the stretch, sealed the deal and the First V came away with a 108–93 victory. The game against TSS this weekend down at Southport is the only obstacle in the way of an undefeated season. The men of the First V are focused on achieving this as they prepare this week.

Aaron Harding
Director of Basketball

Chess

Round seven of the 2024 GPS Chess season saw second-placed Ipswich Grammar School visit us for our final home game of the season. Overall, we won 12 teams, drew one team, and lost none, and also secured a victory for the Premier team, leaving them on the precipice of a fifth consecutive GPS Premiership. Special congratulations must go to the boys in the Senior, Open B, C, F and H teams, who all won their games. Thanks to all the boys who came and spectated the opening matches—the atmosphere really helped the boys to succeed.

I would also like to thank all of the parents who have volunteered to help prepare and serve food to the boys over the past six weeks. I know all of the students have appreciated their efforts.

This week is our final GPS match of the season, unusually being held on Thursday due to the student-free day on Friday. We will be travelling to The Southport School, with Senior and Prep buses leaving the school at 2 pm from the flagpole and Prep Office, respectively. Team lists have been posted on myChurchie already. Students who are listed in a team but are unable to attend should contact me so a replacement can be arranged.

Max Condon
Director of Chess

Rugby

Round seven against Ipswich Grammar School (IGS) was our final ‘home’ game of the season. The stage was set for some entertaining rugby, with both schools coming into the fixture with mixed results. Churchie, clearly the smaller team in most grades, toiled hard all day and was able to score some fantastic team tries. IGS were able to use their big forwards for go-forward and looked very dangerous inside the opposition’s 22-metre zone.

After the final whistle, the boys came away with six victories, five losses and two draws, just edging IGS out over the course of the day. This weekend we play TSS in our final game of the season and our End of Season Function will take place on Saturday 7 September in Morris Hall.

End of Season Presentation – Saturday 7 September in Morris Hall from 3 to 5:30 pm.

Please register your attendance via the flyer.

First XV report

In the final home game of the season, Churchie faced IGS in an eagerly anticipated clash. The match commenced with Churchie exhibiting a strong start, dominating possession and displaying impressive forward play. Harry Solofa made a notable break through the IGS defence yet was halted by their resolute scatter defence.

Ipswich Grammar capitalised on their opportunities, swiftly converting two well-coordinated tries within a 10-minute window. The first try came from a slick backline move, exploiting a gap in Churchie’s defence, while the second was the result of a powerful forward drive that overwhelmed the defensive line.

Undeterred, Churchie regrouped and took control of the game as the first half progressed. Their persistence in forward play and a determined maul allowed them to make inroads into Ipswich’s territory. Their efforts bore fruit when they managed to score a try, closing the gap to 7–15 as the halftime whistle blew.

The second half began with Ipswich Grammar coming out strongly. They extended their lead after 10 minutes with a well-executed try. Ipswich’s forwards were particularly dominant, carrying hard and gaining significant ground, which put Churchie on the back foot. Despite Churchie’s vigorous defensive efforts, Ipswich’s scrum-half exploited a gap in the defence to score another try, pushing the lead further.

Churchie, facing a growing deficit, mounted a series of aggressive attacks. Their relentless pressure resulted in a try, but with the clock ticking and Ipswich’s defence proving difficult to breach, Churchie struggled to close the scoreline.

As the game neared its end, Ipswich’s defence remained solid and resolute, ensuring they held firm against Churchie’s advances. The final score was 17–32 in favour of Ipswich Grammar.

Special mention goes to Sam Williams, Hugh Rylance and Harry Solofa for their exceptional performances. Williams’s relentless work rate, Rylance’s tactical play and Solofa’s dynamic contributions were highlights for Churchie throughout the match.

Andrew Moloney
Director of Rugby

Sporting achievements

Cricket

Congratulations to Olliver Tsui (Year 7) who has been selected in the 10 to 12 years Metropolitan East Cricket Team.

Cross Country

Lachlan Moore (Year 10) represented Queensland in the School Sport Australia (SSA) Cross Country Championships last week in Yarra Glen, Victoria. Lachlan competed in the 16 to 17 years combined age group and placed third giving him the bronze medal. He was however the fastest 16-year-old.

Trent Goodrick
Head of Cocurricular