school
NSW Schools Orienteering Championships
All students are invited to enter this peak NSW event for school-aged students. There is no minimum standard and no qualification required. Students can choose from an A (moderate to hard) or B (easy) course.
All finishers in each age group at Regional Championships are encouraged to attend and compete at NSW Schools Championships.
The 2024 NSW Schools Orienteering Championships are to be hosted by Bold Horizons on the 17th & 18th of August 2024.
2024 Regional Schools Championships
Each year Orienteering NSW, under the supervision of the NSW Education Department’s School Sports Unit, conducts various regional schools championships.
Some are for primary and high school students, some are for high school students only.
In some regions ONSW conducts gala days - open to all schools.
Students do not need any orienteering experience to participate. They receive basic coaching at each event from ONSW volunteers.
The link under each region is to the Eventor, see information sheet for more details.
Click here for a generic risk assessment relating to regional champs.
Entry spreadsheet for entries to 2024 Sydney North, Sydney West and Sydney South West Primary - RegionalSchoolsEntry2024
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Teacher tips on preparing students for regional school orienteering events - Click Link
Sydney West Schools Orienteering Championships Coaching Sessions for Students - Click Link
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The draft dates for 2024 events are (click on blue links for information & flyers):
Date | Region | Flyer | Results |
Tuesday May 7th | Riverina (Wagga Wagga) | Eventor | |
Mon June 24th | Sydney South West Secondary Schools | Flyer | |
Wed July 3rd | Sydney South West Primary Schools | Flyer | |
Tuesday July 30th | Independent Schools | Flyer | |
Thu August 1st | Sydney West Primary | Flyer | |
Fri August 2nd | Flyer | ||
Mon August 12th | Sydney North | Flyer | |
TBC |
Newcastle Hunter Schools Championships | ||
Sat August 17th | Turramurra | ||
Sun August 18th | NSW Schools Championships (Sprint & Sprint Relay) | Macquarie University | |
October 1st to 3rd | Australian championships (Armidale) | Website |
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Oct/Nov | Armidale Schools gala day (TBC) |
The number of regions conducting Championship events is growing every year with Sydney North added in 2011, the Riverina in 2012, and gala days on the South Coast and at Centennial Park in 2013. There are, however, still a few regions that don’t have a Schools Championship or gala day.
If you know of any teachers in the area who may be interested in co-ordinating an event, please ask them to contact ONSW.
Experienced ONSW people arrange everything; we just need a teacher to be the official Department of Education organiser.
Last updated 27th March 2024.
The NSW Schools Team, known as "The Carbines", is selected annually to represent NSW at the Australian All Schools Orienteering Championships. The Championships are conducted mid-week during the Australian Orienteering Championships Carnival which is held in late September and early October each year. The Championships rotate around the Australian states.
2024 is being held in Armidale, NSW see website for more details.
2024 Team Selection Criteria in Eventor (pdf file) and Nominations link in Eventor.
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2023 Team which won the Australian Schools Championships for the 2nd year in a row:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(Western Hills) is the manager and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Western Hills) is the coach.
JUNIOR BOYS - Lachlan Coady (WHO), Alton Freeman (Big Foot), Luyi He (Knox), Rory Shedden (SHOO), Matthew Slater (Goldseekers) and Shay Sweeney (WHO)
JUNIOR GIRLS - Jessica Dun (Hastings), Matilda Saunders (WHO) and Savanna Sweeney (WHO)
SENIOR BOYS - Cooper Horley (GO), Jonathan Nolan (Uringa), Nick Stanley (GO), Alex Woolford (BnB), Jamie Woolford (BnB) and Callum Waland (Big Foot / Knox)
SENIOR GIRLS - Rebecca Craig (Newcastle), Erika Enderby (Newcastle), Eszter Kocsik (GO), Maggie Mackay (Uringa) and Abigail McGhee (Bennelong)
In 2023 the Aust All Schools was held in Western Australia please see the following link for donations to help the team get to WA in Sept/Oct.
A donation to this project is tax deductible.
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In 2022, NSW defended the school's trophy it won in 2019 (which was the first time since 2002)!
You can read the report on the 2022 team here.
Each year the NSW team stays together for the week and also stays with the squads from other states. All the teams race hard all week but also enjoy some social time and recreation.
The NSW Schools team comprises up to six runners in each of four classes, to a maximum of 20 team members as follows:
1. Junior girls (W15) - girls aged 15 and under;
2. Senior girls (W16+) - girls aged 16 or older;
3. Junior boys (M15) - boys aged 15 and under; and
4. Senior boys (M16+) - boys aged 16 and older.
2022 Team
Selection races for the 2022 NSW Schools Team were the Armidale State League weekend (April 9-10) and the QB III weekend in Wagga (June 11-13). Rob Bennett, Toby Wilson and Michele Dawson are the selectors. The Australian All Schools Orienteering Championships comprises two days of individual racing and one day of relays. The racing is a highlight on the Australian Orienteering calendar and the relays particularly are always fantastic for spectators.
The 2022 team is:
Sadly, the 2020 and 2021 titles were cancelled due to the covid outbreaks in several states.
You can read the report on the 2021 team here.
The 2021 virtual team was: Junior Girls: Rebecca Craig (NC), Erika Enderby (NC), Lilja Lehtonen (GO), Maggie Mackay (UR), Lyra Simpson (BF), Savanna Sweeney (WH) Senior Girls (16+): Julia Barbour (BF), Louise Barbour (BF), Mikayla Enderby (NC), Nea Shingler (BF) Junior Boys: Lachlan Coady (WH), Cooper Horley (GO), Will Kay (WH), Alex Woolford (BB) Senior Boys (16+): Oliver Freeman (BF), Clyde McGhee (BN), Oskar Mella (NC), Jamie Woolford (BB), Sam Woolford (BB), Oscar Woolford (BB)Our junior reps have generated press coverage in the Newcastle Star and St George Leader.
Highlights of the NSW Australian All Schools team in action in 2012
The squad has enjoyed much success over the years and has generated many of the country's elite orienteers.
Orienteering NSW thanks the Carbine Club for its generous annual donation that helps subsidise the cost for team members' families.
Last updated: 28th July 2023.
EVENT STRUCTURE
The series is conducted by ONSW partner organisation Bold Horizons - click on the blue links to see all the latest details on their website and Facebook page.
The Saturday Orienteering Series is open to all budding orienteers! No experience is necessary. Both beginners and experienced orienteers are very welcome! Students, mums, dads, uncles, aunts, friends, grandparents: everyone is welcome to participate.
All events are on Saturday mornings in school grounds, parks and reserves.
In the summer school terms the SOS is conducted around northern Sydney and the Macarthur region; in winter terms around northern Sydney and the Hills District. The series runs for six weeks every school term.
At most events they offer 3 different courses:
Score Course: There are 20 controls to find within a set time limit (usually 45 minutes). You need to plan, navigate, run (or walk) and manage your time. The controls are worth different amounts, so there is strategy involved in deciding on the best return for time and energy before setting off. Anyone taking longer than the time limit starts losing points. On this course, the focus is on the personal challenge, making friends and learning some skills. Everyone 'wins' by finding at least a few controls, learning new skills and having a go. Entrants are welcome to head out on their own or team up.
Short Line Course: On this course, the challenge is find all the controls marked on the map in a set order. The course will be around 2-3.5km. The navigation is not too difficult for newcomers, however the finer challenges of optimising route choice and the need for speed and accuracy keeps the experienced orienteers on their toes. Orienteers are encouraged to tackle the challenge on their own but if they want to head out with friends or family then that is okay too.
Long Line Course: This course is similar to the Short Line Course but will generally be 3-5km long.
Electronic (SportIdent) timing is used for all courses and participants. Timing sticks can be purchased or hired at each event. They can also be purchased through ONSW partner AussieOGear.
EVENT TIMING
Registration is from 9am and starts are any time between 9.30am and 11am.
EVENT ENTRY
Entry is at the event. However if you are bringing along a group of more than 5 we ask that you please let us know in advance so that we can be sure to look after you. The best contact is Barbara - email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 0418 270 476.
Entry cost is $12 for orienteering club members with their own SportIdent timing sticks or $15 for non-members hiring sticks.
WINTER 2022
Date | Hills | Newcastle | ||
7 May | Castle Hill | Results | ||
14 May | Callaghan College Waratah | Results | ||
21 May | Results | Callaghan College Wallsend | Results | |
28 May | Results | Hunter School of Performing Arts | Results | |
4 Jun | Results | Lambton HS | Results | |
18 Jun | Results | Merewether HS | Results | |
25 Jun | Callaghan College Jesmond | Results | ||
SAFETY
Urban maps with distinct boundaries will be used.
All runners check in and out.
ENQUIRIES
Barbara Hill, Series Coordinator.
Mobile: 0418 270 476
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For results of past series, please click here.
OANSW aims to provide opportunities for schools and students to participate in appropriately structured Orienteering programs.
In NSW, this ranges from activities within individual schools to Regional Schools Championships and the NSW Schools Championships. The latter is generally held in conjunction with a NSW State League event, giving school competitors exposure to a major Orienteering event. In 2011, this event will be held in the southern highlands on 28th August.
The pinnacle of Schools Orienteering is the Australian Schools Orienteering Championships which is held annually in conjunction with the week-long Australian Orienteering Championships carnival in September-October of each year. The 2011 Australian Schools Championships will be held near Wagga Wagga on 4th and 5th October.
Details on Regional Schools events can be found under the Schools events menu on this page.
Schools Orienteering News
St Ives Showground hosts the inaugural Sydney North Schools Championships
Saturday, 6 August 2011
North Sydney Boys, Mosman High and Normanhurst Boys High School raced in the last of the Schools Regional Championships before the NSW Schools Champs at the end of this month. This was the first time a North Sydney championship had been staged, and although this was the smallest of the championships this year, it was well supported by the School Sports Unit with Peter Tomlin and the schools convener, Andrew Mitchell (North Sydney Boys High School) both of whom were enthusiastic about the event and how to grow the participation next year. Individual races were followed by an informal relay around the showground which brought out the competitive streak in everyone including two teams made up of the coaches.
Historical SOS results
SUMMER 2021-22
Date | Northside | Macarthur | ||
23 Oct | Hyde Park | Results | ||
30 Oct | Cumberland SF | Results | ||
6 Nov | Collaroy | Results | ||
13 Nov | Bicentennial Park | Results | ||
12 Feb | Pennant Hills HS | Results | ||
19 Feb | Muirfield HS | Results | Bringelly PS | Results |
26 Feb | Turramurra HS | Results | Camden PS | Results |
5 Mar | Killarney Heights HS | Results | Mawarra PS | Results |
12 Mar | Killara HS | Results | Oran Park | Results |
26 Mar | Balgowlah Boys HS | Results | James Meehan HS | Results |
2 Apr | Macquarie Fields HS | Results |
Date | Northside | Hills | Newcastle | |||
1 May | South Turramurra | Results | Castle Hill | Results | Jesmond | Results |
8 May | Pennant Hills | Results | North Rocks | Results | Broadmeadow | Results |
22 May | Castle Hill | Results | Waratah | Results | ||
29 May | West Pymble | Results | The Ponds | Results | Broadmeadow | Results |
5 Jun | Lindfield | Results | Crestwood | Results | ||
19 Jun | Cockatoo Island | Results | Results |
Date | Northside | Macarthur | ||
17 Oct | Pymble | Results | ||
24 Oct | Bobbin Head | Results | ||
31 Oct | Mona Vale | Results | ||
7 Nov | Collaroy | Results | ||
14 Nov | Ryde | Results | ||
21 Nov | Palm Beach | Results | ||
12 Dec | Raging Waters | Results | ||
6 Feb | North Sydney Boys HS | training day | ||
13 Feb | Normanhurst Boys HS | Results | Mawarra PS | Results |
20 Feb | Muirfield HS | Results | Camden South PS | Results |
27 Feb | Mackellar Girls HS | Results | Bringelly PS | Results |
6 Mar | Killara HS | Results | St Gregory's College | Results |
13 Mar | Balgowlah Boys HS | Results | Camden PS | Results |
27 Mar | Mimosa PS & Davidson HS | Results | Macarthur Park | Results |
Date | Northside | Hills | ||
1 Aug | Ryde | Results | Winston Hills | Results |
8 Aug | Allambie Heights | Results | North Rocks | Results |
15 Aug | Frenchs Forest | Results | The Ponds | Results |
29 Aug | West Chatswood | Results | Rydalmere | Results |
5 Sep | Turramurra | Results | ||
12 Sep | Ingleside | Results | Ermington | Results |
19 Sep | Willoughby | Results |
Date | Northside | Macarthur | ||
19 Oct | Gore Hill cemetery | Results | ||
26 Oct | Chatswood HS | Results | ||
2 Nov | Davidson HS/ Mimosa PS | Results | ||
9 Nov | Hyde Park | Results | ||
16 Nov | Collaroy Centre | Results | ||
23 Nov | KNOX Grammar | Results | ||
8 Feb | Killara | Results | ||
15 Feb | Turramurra | Results | Mawarra | Results |
22 Feb | Normanhurst | Results | Narellan Vale | Results |
29 Feb | Pennant Hills | Results | Camden South | Results |
7 Mar | Killarney Heights | Results | Bringelly | Results |
14 Mar | Cromer | Results | Mt Annan | Results |
Date | Northside | Hills | ||
4 May | Balgowlah | Results | Crestwood PS | Results |
11 May | St Ives | Results | Samuel Gilbert PS | Results |
25 May | St Ives Chase | Results | Hills Grammar | Results |
1 Jun | Lindfield | Results | James Ruse HS | Results |
15 Jun | Ingleside | Results | Castle Hill HS | Results |
22 Jun | Combined event | Cherrybrook Tech HS | Results | |
27 Jul | Duffys Forest | Results | Baulkham Hills HS | Results |
10 Aug | Chatswood | Results | Balcombe Heights | Results |
17 Aug | St Ives Showground | Results | Northmead | Results |
24 Aug | St Ives W Gardens | Results | Rouse Hill PS | Results |
31 Sep | Thornleigh | Results | The Ponds HS | Results |
14 Sep | Combined event | Blackman Park | Results |
Date | Northside | Macarthur | ||
20 Oct | Wahroonga | Results | ||
27 Oct | West Pymble | Results | ||
3 Nov | St Leonards | Results | ||
10 Nov | Waverton | Results | ||
17 Nov | Chatswood | Results | ||
24 Nov | Wahroonga | Results | ||
2 Feb | North Sydney Boys HS | Results | ||
9 Feb | Turramurra HS | Results | ||
16 Feb | Normanhurst Boys HS | Results | ||
23 Feb | Pennant Hills HS | Results | Bringelly PS | Results |
2 Mar | Killarney Heights HS | Results | Mawarra PS | Results |
9 Mar | Cromer HS | Results | Narellan Vale PS | Results |
16 Mar | Camden South PS | Results | ||
23 Mar | WSU Campbelltown | Results |
Date | Northside | Hills | ||
5 May | Turramurra | Results | Castle Hill HS | Results |
19 May | Bobbin Head | Results | Samuel Gilbert PS | Results |
26 May | Palm Beach SLSC | Results | Baulkham Hills HS | Results |
2 Jun | Lindfield Scouts | Results | UWS Parramatta | Results |
16 Jun | Wildflower Gardens | Results | Crestwood | Results |
23 Jun | Combined event | Results | Cumberland SF | |
28 Jul | East Ryde Scouts | Results | Pennant Hills HS | Results |
4 Aug | Lane Cove NP | Results | North Rocks PS | Results |
11 Aug | Frenchs Forest Scouts | Results | Rouse Hill Reg Pk | Results |
25 Aug | Manly Dam | Results | UWS Quakers Hill | Results |
8 Sep | Blackman Park | Results | Castle Hill | Results |
15 Sep | Combined event | Results | Willoughby Leisure Centre |
14 Oct | Chatswood High School | Results |
21 Oct | Killara High School | Results |
28 Oct | St Ives High School | Results |
4 Nov | Pymble Park (Ultra Sprint) | Results |
11 Nov | Normanhurst Boys High School | Results |
18 Nov | Knox Grammar School | Results |
3 Feb | North Sydney Boys High School | Results |
10 Feb | Killarney Heights High School | Results |
17 Feb | Cromer High School | Results |
24 Feb | Mona Vale Public School | Results |
3 Mar | Mimosa PS + Davidson HS | Results |
10 Mar | Xmas Tree Farm, Duffys Forest | Results |
29 Apr | Bicentennial Park, West Pymble | Results |
6 May | Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills | Results |
20 May | Seven Little Australians Park, Lindfield | Results |
27 May | Twin Creeks Reserve, Turramurra | Results |
3 Jun | Ingleside Scout Camp | Results |
17 Jun | Lane Cove National Park | Results |
22 Jul | Cook and Phillip plus Hyde Park | Results |
29 Jul | Gore Hill | Results |
5 Aug | Normanhurst Oval | Results |
12 Aug | Bobbin Head, Ku-ring-gai National Park | Results |
26 Aug | Baden Powell Scout Centre, Pennant Hills | Results |
2 Sep | Blackman Park, Lane Cove | Results |
15 Oct | Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens | Results |
22 Oct | Killarney Heights High School | Results |
29 Oct | North Narrabeen | Results |
5 Nov | Mona Vale Public School | Results |
12 Nov | East Lindfield | Results |
19 Nov | Beauchamp Park, Chatswood | Results |
4 Feb | Normanhurst Boys High School | Results |
11 Feb | Turramurra High School | Results |
18 Feb | Knox Grammar Prep School | Results |
25 Feb | Gore Hill Oval, St Leonards | Results |
4 Mar | Knox Grammar Senior School | Results |
11 Mar | The Hills Grammar School, Dural | Results |
WINTER 2016
30 Apr | Waverton North Sydney Club | Results |
7 May | Fairlight Beach, Fairlight | Results |
14 May | Lane Cove National Park | Results |
28 May | Normanhurst Oval | Results |
4 Jun | Turramurra High School | Results |
18 Jun | Twin Creeks Reserve, Turramurra | Results |
23 Jul | Gladesville | Results |
30 Jul | Allambie Heights | Results |
6 Aug | Ingleside | Results |
13 Aug | Lane Cove (Garingal Orienteers event) | Results |
20 Aug | Turramurra | Results |
4 Sep | Duffys Forest | Results |
Term 1, 2016
6 Feb | Scout Hall, Bicentennial Park, West Pymble | Results |
13 Feb | Scout Hall, Rofe Park, Turramurra | Results |
20 Feb | St Ives Wildflower Gardens, Mona Vale Rd | Results |
27 Feb | Fred Caterson Reserve, Castle Hill | Results |
5 Mar | 1st East Ryde Scout Hall, 27a John Miller St | Results |
12 Mar | Baden Powell Scout Centre, Pennant Hills | Results |
7 Feb | South Turramurra | Results |
14 Feb | James Ruse Ag. High School | Results |
21 Feb | Castle Hill | Results |
28 Feb | Hills Grammar | Results |
7 Mar | Sydney Uni/NOL events | Relays |
14 Mar | Lane Cove | Results |
21 Mar | Manly Dam + BBQ | Results |
Term 4, 2014
18 Oct | Cherrybrook Technology High | Results |
25 Oct | Normanhurst Boys High School | Results |
1 Nov | Callan Park Ultra Sprint | Results |
8 Nov | Waverton Oval | Results |
15 Nov | Primrose Park, Cremorne | Results |
22 Nov | Bicentennial Park, West Pymble | Results |
Term 1, 2014
8 Feb | Callan Park, Rozelle | Results | Routegadget |
15 Feb | UWS Parramatta, Rydalmere | Results | Routegadget |
22 Feb | Fred Caterson Res, Castle Hill | Results | Routegadget |
1 Mar | Sydney Uni | Results | Routegadget |
8 Mar | Western Sydney Parklands | Results | Routegadget |
15 Mar | Manly Dam | Results | |
22 Mar | Banjo Paterson Park, Gladesville | Results | |
29 Mar | James Ruse Ag HS, Carlingford | Results | |
5 Apr |
Roselea PS, Carlingford |
Results |
Term 4, 2013
Date | Location | Years 5-6 | Routegadget |
12 Oct | Bicentennial Park, West Pymble | Results | Routegadget |
19 Oct | Castle Hill Showground | Results | |
26 Oct | Sydney Park, St Peters | Results | Routegadget |
2 Nov | St Ives Showground | cancelled | due to fire |
9 Nov | Macquarie University | Results | Routegadget |
16 Nov | St Ives Showground | Routegadget | |
23 Nov | Centennial Park | Relays |