The swimming season runs from January to March each year. The Jeppe swimming team is made up of approximately 40 swimmers from all grades and they participate in the Johannesburg Girls B Inter-High School League.

Our swimmers also participate at provincial level.

The school swimming pool was closed for renovation towards the end of last year. The original pool, built in 1929, was thirty three and a third yards long. Unfortunately, due to the weather, we have been without the use of the pool for most of the first term in 2009. The pool has now been resurfaced and the length adjusted to 25 metres. It was reopened on 20 March 2009 by Ms Slabber for the inter-house gala.


2009 Season
The swimming season was a very frustrating one for both the coaches and swimmers, as the girls were unable to train in the Jeppe pool. A big thank you to Planet Fitness, Bedfordview and Jeppe Prep for allowing us the use of their pools in our time of need.

Inter-House Gala
We woke up to a cloudy and cool day on Friday 20th March ….the day scheduled for the official opening of the newly renovated Jeppe swimming pool and the already twice postponed inter-house gala. After a heavy downpour at 09:00, the skies looked as if they were clearing and it was agreed to continue with the event.

The gala began with the house processions: Crassula posing as the Boston Red Sox; Disa with their magic wands as Tinkerbells, Gerbera (now you see them now you don’t) sponsored by Vanish; Protea charged in as Code Blue with their team of nurses, doctors and patients; Harveya set the pace in their Tigger Taxi and Nerine dug deep as Goldminers. Our guests of honour were past swimming captains and after a few words of welcome from them, Ms Slabber officially declared the swimming pool open. A feast of balloons filled the skies as the houses released balloons in their colours together with the black and white balloons symbolizing Jeppe.

The heavens opened once more after the first race, soaking everyone to the bone, but the sun was shining 15 minutes later. The gala continued. Records were broken in almost every race (as the pool is now a shorter length) and the spirit amongst the girls was electric. Harveya won the team spirit award with Protea and Nerine coming second and third respectively and Protea won the cheerleading award, followed by Harveya and Crassula.

Harveya won the junior section of the gala and Protea the senior section. The overall results were as follows:

Harveya	145	Crassula	113	Disa	93
Protea	133	Gerbera	99	Nerine	86

Congratulations to the swimmers and thanks to all the organisers, in particular Ms B Watt, who worked so hard to make the event such a success.

Inter-High Gala
The Inter-High Gala took place on Thursday 5 March. Congratulations to all of the swimmers who took part and in particular to the Grade 8 swimmers who did exceptionally well. Special mention needs to be made of Tarryn Holmes who won a Gold medal in the U16 butterfly event. Congratulations to Daniella Botha, our swimming captain, who did a magnificent job together with the seniors, in organising the swimmers and keeping the team together and the team spirit alive.

Congratulations to the Grade 8 supporters for their excellent behaviour and team spirit. Well done girls, you did Jeppe proud!  Jeppe came 9th out of 10 schools, which wasn’t a bad result, given the trying circumstances under which our girls had to perform. Watch this space next year – Jeppe will be back!