GLOSSOP High School staff and students managed to keep their traditional Mount Gambier exchange afloat this year, by modifying activities to abide with COVID-19 restrictions.
The annual exchange, which is usually held in either town and runs for four days, was modified to a two-day event this year in Bordertown.
Glossop High School managed to take home the debating shield while Mount Gambier High School won the sporting shield.
Physical education co-ordinator and sporting coach Josh Vater said although the schools were unable to host the exchange they preferred, it was important it went ahead.
“The first exchange happened in the ’40s, when the two principals from either school – who were mates – wanted to catch up and do a debating and sporting exchange with their schools’,” he said.
“Keeping a connection with Mount Gambier is important because in the past a lot has come out of it.
“We’ve had past students go on to marry people they met on the exchange while others end up going to uni together and becoming housemates.
“Bringing regional kids together is really cool and it’s great seeing all the students form friendships and lifelong connections.”
Mr Vater said he was proud of his students’ efforts.
“The debate happened virtually and it couldn’t of have been done without the help of our wonderful media team,” he said.
“There were a few technical difficulties trying to livestream it on Facebook but the media team were just fantastic and we were lucky it all worked out.
“We condensed the sporting activities down to seven instead of nine and although we didn’t take home the shield, everyone tried their best.
“We had students from every year level participate and everyone made Glossop proud.
“It provided the students with positivity and allowed them to enjoy participating in extra-curricular activities again.”
Mr Vater said he looks forward to hopefully running the exchange as normal next year.