SCIENCE & ENGINEERING CHALLENGE

This activity allows Stage 3 students to compete in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) experiences with schools around the region. It is a wonderful example of community partnership and collaborative learning. The students are assisted in the challenge by university students, high school students and community volunteers, through rotary clubs in the region. The competition extends to high school, so the positive experiences of students in Year 5 and 6 can develop into a passion throughout their high school years.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 compete at school and regional level to prove the quality of their public speaking skills.

DEBATING

Students from Year 5 and Year 6 compete at school and regional level to hone their debating skills. A Diocesan competition is held each year so that teams can experience debating at the highest level.

The Newcastle Permanent Mathematics Competition

The Newcastle Permanent Building Society sponsors a state-wide mathematics competition each year. Students from Years 5 and 6 sit the exam, which is usually held in Term 3.

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

The University of NSW offers competitions in Digital Technology, Spelling, Writing, Mathematics, Science and English for students from Years 3 to 6. These competitions are voluntary and there is a fee for entry.

ASPIRE

ASPIRE is the Diocesan Creative and Performing Arts initiative. Each year students from Years 5 to 11 are eligible to participate in lessons, activities and rehearsals that lead to a performance at the Civic Theatre. Entry is via auditions that are held during Term 4 of each year. The performance features students with skills in singing, drama, dance and instrumental musical performance.

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE

This Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools.