Student Life
Senior Formal 2022,
St Aloysius College Archives
Sports Carnivals
Providing students with the opportunity to test their athletic abilities or just participate for the fun of it.
Sr Teresa Dunlevie introduced the annual Sports Day in the late 1930s. Sports Day (Athletics Carnival) is still one of the highlights of the school year where students can show off their athletic prowess or just participate for the fun of it.
The St Aloysius College Swimming Carnival was introduced in 1977 and continues to be a highlight of the summer calendar.
There has always been fierce competition between the houses of St Anne’s (purple), St Clare’s (white), St Margaret’s (yellow) and St Teresa’s (green). Prior to 1947, St Teresa’s was known as St Barbara’s.
Swimming Carnival
The swimming carnival was first held at the Unley Swimming Pool and moved to the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, North Adelaide in 1991.
A different theme each year adds to the fun, with students and teachers dressing up in their house team colours – St Anne’s (purple), St Clare’s (white), St Margaret’s (yellow) and St Teresa’s (green). The event caters for all students with novelty races for the less confident.
The event is made even more exciting by the enthusiastic support from the stands, which motivates the swimmers and adds to the excitement and energy of the event.
Athletics Carnival
The early Sports Days were held in the Dunlevie courtyard with spectators on the top verandas, later moving to the new sports grounds on Wakefield Street. As the school grew, a larger venue was needed and over the following years it moved to various locations: Adelaide Oval, University Oval, Mercedes College Oval, CBC Oval, Rostrevor College Oval, Kensington Sports Field, Norwood Oval and eventually settling at SA Athletics Stadium at Mile End.
Many of the events have stood the test of time but the 1960s program shows curious events such as Senior Deportment Relay, Penny on a Knife, Revolving Frogs, Horse and Rider and finishing off with a House March Past.
By Carol Grantham
St Aloysius College Archivist, 2026
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Sr Teresa Dunlevie