In October, a group of St Margaret’s boarders travelled to Pittsworth to participate in the High School Campdraft – a sport that combines speed, strategy and stockmanship. For these girls— all of whom hail from rural communities— the chance to compete in the High School Campdraft not only fulfils their passion but offers an important connection to home.
The ten students demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship as they guided cattle through the challenging layout, placing 8th from 39 teams and with only three points difference between the top ten competitors. The team was also awarded the Outstanding Conduct and Sportsmanship Award.
Year 11 student Bridget Smith received an Encouragement Award.
Bridget Smith relished the opportunity to participate, having grown up on a cattle station northwest of Mt Isa, where she’s been campdrafting since about age three.
“It’s great to have a sport from home that we are able to do through school. It’s also lots of fun to do with friends and as a team, since campdrafting is usually an individual sport,” Bridget said.
St Margaret’s Head of Boarding Lesa Fowler, who accompanied the team, said campdrafting is something our girls know and love.
“It’s wonderful to see them bring that passion into their school life and proudly represent St Margaret’s in a sport that reflects their rural roots,” Lesa said.
The High School Percentile Cup competition was started in 2017 by a St Margaret’s student, Emily Curr, and has become hugely popular with mostly regional high schools ever since.
It’s opportunities like these that highlight the unique blend of rural and urban experiences that shape the school’s diverse boarding community.