Narrabeen Sports teacher competes against student at Olympic Swimming Trials

Narrabeen Sports High School science teacher Lauren Wilson, 26, and her year 9 student Dominique Melbourn, 14, will both fight for a chance for Olympic glory at this weekend’s swimming trials.

They might look like two friendly rivals determined to beat each other in the pool but you know there is something more to this pair when one calls the other “Miss Wilson” on the blocks.

Narrabeen Sports High School science teacher Lauren Wilson, 26, and her year 9 student Dominique Melbourn, 14, will both be attempting to win a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics at the Australian Swimming Trials from Saturday.

“When we’re at the pool we’re racing but when we’re at school we’re learning,” Ms Wilson said.

“Once we’re in the classroom there’s no difference between Dom and any of my other students. There’s not too many teachers that would compete against their students but it does seem normal for Dom and I.”

Narrabeen Sports High School year 9 student Dominque Melbourn and her science teacher Lauren Wilson will compete for an Olympic swimming spot. Picture: Tim Hunter

The pair from rival Northern Beaches swim clubs faced off against each other in butterfly races this year. Ms Wilson took the honours but her plucky pupil wants revenge.

But at the Olympic trials they will line up in different events — Ms Wilson in the 100m and 200m butterfly and Dominique in the 200m backstroke — so they will bury the hatchet and cheer each other on.

In the lead-up to the biggest event on the calendar the teacher and her student have been inseparable in the playground at recess and lunch, where they talk non-stop swimming.

The novelty of being able to call her teacher by her first name outside school hours still hasn’t sunk in for Dominique, who instinctively calls Ms Wilson “Miss” even when they are lining up on the blocks.

Student and teacher will compete in the butterfly swimming event. Picture: Tim Hunter

And Dominique knows not to expect easy grades in science, despite the unique friendship she shares with her teacher.

“If Ms Wilson notices I haven’t been behaving my best — which is almost never — she will pull me up on a few things,” Dominique said.

“But I still love to have a chat with her in the playground about swimming.”

Two students who graduated from Narrabeen Sports High School last year, Ryan Yi and Zac George, will also compete in the Olympic trials, showing the depth of the school’s swimming prowess.

“A huge congratulations to Dominique, Lauren, Ryan and Zac for reaching one of the highest levels in Australian swimming,” Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said.

“Our public schools breed success, and this is just one example of how schools support students to achieve in whatever field they choose.”