Solar-powered win: Back row, Congupna Primary School principal Adam Cleary, Asim Ismet, teacher aide Bernadette O’Toole, Will O’Toole, Piper Rogers, Lucinda Threlfall, Rotary Club of Shepparton president Sev Cortese, Alex Bye, Harry Williams, Hudson Simpson and STEM teacher Kylie Craik. Front, Anderson Evans, Ethen Hill and Leigh Stevens.
Photo by
Kelly Carmody
Ten students from Congupna Primary School took out first, second and third place in the Australian International Model Solar Challenge in Tasmania last weekend.
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The talented youngsters competed against other students from across Australia and Taiwan as part of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics competition building solar-powered boats.
All 4 Cylinders, The River Rippers and The Surfing Kings were the three boats designed by the Congupna students that blew their competitors out of the water and put their school and Greater Shepparton on the solar competition map.
First place: All 4 Cylinders.
Photo by
Kelly Carmody
Congupna Primary School STEM teacher Kylie Craik said all the students’ efforts were terrific.
“They competed against 30 boats in the junior boats competition, but they actually beat the advanced boats too in a fun run at the end of the event,” Miss Craik said.
“Five out of 10 students had never been on a plane before, so it was quite an adventure, and they loved it.
“They were really well behaved and supportive to each other and other schools, and even though the weather was terrible and absolutely pouring on the actual competition day, their spirits stayed super high.”
Businesses and clubs across the region came on board in early November and donated funds to help get the students to the competition.
Second place: The River Rippers.
Photo by
Kelly Carmody
Miss Craik said the community’s generosity made it possible to get there and compete.
“We could not have done it without the support from our sponsors,” she said.
“It’s not just our school; it’s a community school, and we’re all about teaching students the skills they will need in the community.
“We are so grateful for all the community support that got behind us and the outcome where small-town country kids got the opportunity to test their learned skills and win at such a high level of competition.
“All the hard work they put in paid off for them in the end, and we are so proud of them all.”
Rotary Club of Shepparton president Sev Cortese said the club’s director of youth, Jeanette Sabri, initially heard about the funding needed for the students.
The members were so impressed by the level of engineering processes involved that they had no hesitation in donating $2000 to the school.
“We thought the project they were doing was well worth the funds we provided them,” Mr Cortese said.
“When we received the information the other day that they’d come first, second and third, we were over the moon for them.
Third place: The Surfing Kings.
Photo by
Kelly Carmody
“It’s also a testament to the work teachers put in with their students.
“Experiences like these for kids offer great opportunities for future growth, and we have enjoyed helping them achieve big things. Congratulations, Congupna Primary School — everyone did a fantastic job.”
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