Sports Day

2019 Winner: Team Angus

2018 Winner: Team Angus

2017 Winner: Team Angus

2016 Winner: Team Kerr

2015 Winner: Team Tolley

This annual event has very strong community support and is a wonderful day. 

The four house teams are:

Angus - Green.
The first Ardtornish school was established in 1847 by Angus McLaine an early settler who upon becoming a successful farmer donated the land and funds to build the school on the proviso that it was called Ardtornish after his birth place in Scotland. Team ‘Angus’ is named in his honour.





Kerr - Red.
Once established the school found it difficult to keep staff until, in 1857, its most popular teacher, Charles Kerr was appointed. Students in his care developed high academic skills and the school soon gained a reputation across the state for outstanding standards and achievement. Team ‘Kerr’ keeps his memory alive and reminds us all of the importance of good teachers.





Newman - Yellow.
Team ‘Newman’ is named after the Newman family who established Newman's Nursery in 1875, one of the states first, and made a major contribution to the state’s horticultural development. 


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Tolley - Blue.
Team Tolley recognises the work of the Tolley family who, in 1892, established vineyards and a winery in the area and went on to produce the famous ‘St Agnes Brandy’.

To learn more about the history of our school go to our history page.

Highland Games

In their original form, many centuries ago, Highland games revolved around athletic and sports competitions. The caber toss — has come to almost symbolize the Highland games and we have the Team Captains each do one as the last event of our sports day.

Caber toss: A long tapered pine pole or log is stood upright and hoisted by the competitor who balances it vertically holding the smaller end in his hands (see photo). Then the competitor runs forward attempting to toss it in such a way that it turns end over end with the upper (larger) end striking the ground first. 

The smaller end that was originally held by the athlete then hits the ground in the 12 o'clock position measured relative to the direction of the run. If successful, the athlete is said to have turned the caber.

​Cabers vary greatly in length, weight, taper, and balance, all of which affect the degree of difficulty in making a successful toss. Competitors are judged on how closely their throws approximate the ideal 12 o'clock toss on an imaginary clock.