Balcatta Academic Challenge

On Friday 20 November, the annual Balcatta Academic Challenge took place. The purpose of the Balcatta Academic Challenge was to promote Balcatta Senior High School as a school of choice for talented students. The Challenge provided primary school students with the opportunity to experience academic extension and enrichment activities across a variety of learning areas.

The Challenge was designed to encourage local intake primary schools to select and enter their high achieving students to compete on behalf of their school to win the prestigious perpetual trophy, to be displayed at their school, for one year.

Fifty five Year 5 students participated in the Academic Challenge and will also receive an invitation to apply for the 2022 intake of the Academic Extension program. Students competed in five challenges that spanned across all Learning Areas.

Challenge 1 – English organised by Ms Duong – Solving a mystery challenge
Challenge 2 – Dance organised by Ms Martin and Ms Balic – Dance challenge
Challenge 3 – STEAM organised by Ms Hoy – Structure building challenge
Challenge 4 – Science organised Ms Lucas and Ms Palandri – Rock classification
Challenge 5 – Maths organised by Mr Entwistle – Station challenge

For each challenge, students earned ‘points’ – Tuart Hill 3 earned the most points at the end of the day and were presented with a perpetual trophy for the Balcatta Academic Challenge. Prizes were also awarded to Tuart Hill 3, Tuart Hill 2 and Osborne 1 for their outstanding results in the maths challenge. Throughout the day students and teams were acknowledged for demonstrating excellent team work, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.