Wedd Cup Competition - The Spirit of CBC!

I am sure this Term, in many households like mine, the Olympics and Paralympics have dominated the television screens. Supporting the green and gold of the Aussies (or other nations), watching records being created, athletes overcoming adversity and showing up to do their best; the Olympics are a spectacle of human courage and capabilities.  Growing up, these sporting events always sparked conversation about my family identity as we also followed the Irish team. My parents would tell me about the athletes, and where they came from – they were extra special if they were from Cork, my place of birth. This connection has endured, and I continue to passionately support Irish teams beyond the Olympics. Connection to place and community is a powerful motivator, it bonds people together, inspires passion and requires commitment.

Here at CBC, we have our own Olympic competition (of sorts!) which aims to create this very same connection to place and community. Our Wedd Cup competition is the year-long competition between our six Houses. It brings together House communities, across a variety of disciplines, for a shared goal and glory – the Wedd Cup. The winning team, short of taking home their own gold medal, enjoy the festivities and privileges of House Spirit Week in Week 10 following the final placings being shared at the close of Edmund Rice Day.

Throughout the year students have the opportunity to try something new, or showcase their talents, and win points for their House. From sporting carnivals, artistic expression in NAIDOC Week, HASS Week Escape Room, quizzes and word games, Project Compassion, Tug-O-War, Library photo submissions, memorising Pi and the infamous Futsal Competition – all students are invited to find their moment.  This broad participation fosters a sense of unity, much like the Olympic Games, where athletes from diverse nations and cultures come together to celebrate human potential. Our community is diverse, and this competition is a celebration of this diversity; it is a joy to witness students in their area of mastery, as well as those having the courage to just do their best.

The Wedd Cup promotes the idea that excellence is not just about winning but about giving your best effort, another core Olympic value. In this competition, students are often encouraged to challenge themselves and push their limits, regardless of the outcome. For some, pushing their limit is turning up on the day of the Athletics Carnival, and others it's the College song competition – each young Gentleman is tested in their commitment to each other and their community. Overwhelming so, their bond with each other and their pride for their Houses leads them to turn up and have-a-go.

Hopefully, as with the Olympic ideals of unity, respect and the pursuit of excellence, our Wedd Cup competition continues to bring out the best in our community. Witnessing the fun, the teamwork, and the rivalry grow in 2024 I can see that House spirit is thriving at CBC Fremantle and the competition is sure to be hotly contested. No matter where the Houses finish, I have no doubt that the Wedd Cup events, like the Olympics, provide a catalyst great friendships and memories. 
As always, go O'Connor House, and go Ireland!

Miss Emer Hickey
Deputy Principal Mission & Students