St Joseph’s International Catholic College hosts Inter-House Athletics Carnival

Port Moresby’s St Joseph’s International Catholic College held its annual two-day Inter-House Athletics Carnival from July 10-11, 2025, at the Sir John Guise Stadium. 

As part of the school’s extracurricular activities, the privately-owned educational institution used to hold its inter-house carnival every academic year at the end of term two holidays. 

Students from elementary to grade 6 staged their inter-house carnival yesterday (July 10) and students from grade 7-12 hosted theirs today (July 11).

Over 1,000 students participated in the athletics carnival that consisted of different track and field events like sprinting, jumping, throwing, javelin, shot put, discus, etc.

The winners of each sporting discipline walked away with small prizes and certificates, ending the two-day inter-house athletics carnival on a high note.  

Deputy Principal Administration and coordinator for the inter-house athletics carnival, Fabian Papenga, said the two-day sports carnival was a success.

“This is the annual inter-house athletics carnival for St Joseph’s International Catholic College that we used to host every term two of our academic year,” Mr. Papenga explained.

“This is an event where we would like to promote athletics and scout students with different talents from various sports like jumping, sprinting, etc.

“Apart from their studies, we are encouraging and promoting the students to see the importance of this event.”

Mr. Papenga thanked retired national athletics thrower Raylin Kaputin and other athletes who volunteered to assist the officials in running the two-day event.

“Every year when we host this event, we seek assistance from our national athletes to come and assist us, which encourages the students to become like them one day,” he said.

“We thank Raylin and other national athletes for assisting us in running our event successfully for two days.”

Mr. Papenga also acknowledged the principal and staff of St Joseph’s International Catholic College, including the students, St John Ambulance for providing medical assistance, and parents for their support.

“I would like to thank our principal and the staff of our school, as well as the students, the parents and St John Ambulance for their continued support,” he stated. 

“We are not about academics only, we are trying to balance everything by engaging the students in extracurricular activities like sports, music, arts, and so on.”