From 2-5 July, I was fortunate enough to make the U15 Western Metro Wildcats team, competing in the Victoria Junior State Hockey Championships. It was a four day competition, starting in the school holidays. On our first day, we drew 1-1 and won a game 2-0. My team grew stronger everyday, gelling well together and keeping our spirits high.
On Wednesday we drew again, and the nerves began to set in. We were all determined to win the next match, in order to play first and second from the other division. We put that game behind us, and won the next game. By the end of the first two days, we ended up second on the ladder, enabling us to play the first and second team the following day.
On that Thursday morning, we had lost our first match, against our rivalry team. Surprisingly with encouragement and perseverance, we were capable of doing a lot more amazing things as a team. The next game we had to win by at least four goals, which was a lot to ask for. Despite that, my team took on the challenge and won 5-0, meaning we would play for the Gold medal match. We developed well as a team, pushing each other to our limits. Unfortunately, we lost the match, finishing off with the silver.
I am so proud of my team and how far we had come, believing in one another every step of the way. By the last match, we could all see the tremendous amount of improvement in everyone's skills. Coming second out of ten teams in Victoria is such an amazing achievement.
Kate Lavers, Year 8
Nala Habib and Jaimey Steenkamp, Year 8, are to be congratulated for making it into the State Finals of the Artificial Intelligence for Good Challenge, sponsored by Education Changemakers and Microsoft. Jaimey and Nala were selected for their “Remote Medic” idea - a drone that would be able to deliver medical supplies to isolated areas and provide medical care to those who need it most. They presented their idea to a panel of judges at Microsoft Headquarters, where they placed 3rd in the Victorian State Finals! Congratulations!
