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	Sydney West Secondary	Flyer
Mon August 12th	Sydney North	Flyer
TBC	Newcastle Hunter Schools Championships
Sat August 17th	NSW Schools Championships (Forest)	Turramurra
Sun August 18th	NSW Schools Championships (Sprint & Sprint Relay)	TBC
October 1st to 3rd	Australian championships (Armidale)	Website
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.

Generously supported by
the Carbine Club of NSW

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:

Junior Girls: Rebecca Craig (NC), Lilja Lehtonen (GO), Maggie Mackay (UR) and Savanna Sweeney (WH)

Junior Boys: Lachlan Coady (WH), Alton Freeman (BF), Curtis Pepper (BN), Rory Sheddon (SH) and Alex Woolford (BB)

Senior Girls: Erika Enderby (NC), Mikayla Enderby (NC), Eszter Kocsik (GO) and Nea Shingler (BF)

Senior Boys: Alvin Craig (NC), Oliver Freeman (BF), Cooper Horley (GO), Oskar Mella (NC), Jamie Woolford (BB) and Sam Woolford (BB)

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

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

WINTER 2021

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

SUMMER 2020-21

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

WINTER 2020

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

SUMMER 2019-20

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

WINTER 2019

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

SUMMER 2018-19

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

WINTER 2018

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

SUMMER 2017-18

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

WINTER 2017

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

SUMMER 2016-17

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

Term 1, 2015

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

school

St Ives Showground hosts the inaugural Sydney North Schools Championships

Historical SOS results

Courses

Event Series