ListeningHeart No2 2012 - St Mary's College, Broome

ain bee competition
An outstanding performance by four of St Mary‘s College top year
10 Science students has sent ripples of excitement throughout the
College this week. Abbey Ford, Rajiv Latchman, Simon Hill and
Chelsea Siebert participated in the Western Australian state finals
of the 2012 Australian and New Zealand Brain Bee competition on
Tuesday June 26th at the University of Western Australia, Perth.
With two of the participants, Abbey and Rajiv, entering the
individual challenge competition, and the other two students joining
them on the team challenge, St Mary‘s College, for a second
consecutive year, along with 23 other schools in Western Australia
competed for the prestigious titles of top state individual and team
finalist.
The heats of the team competition resulted in the St Mary‘s team
being chosen as one of the top three schools to participate in the
final team round. The sheer determination and strategic efforts of
the team members got them through the brain busting, gruelling
questions. At the end of the team round, the St Mary‘s team tied
for second with Perth Modern, with St Mary‘s Anglican coping the
title of top state team finalist. A sudden death elimination round
ensued and St Mary‘s college students secured the title of second
place state team finalist.
The heats of the individual competition also saw Abbey Ford being
chosen from 64 other challengers to compete in the semi-finals of
the individual round. Despite competing with 10 other highly
accomplished students, question after question Abbey maintained
first place with a perfect score throughout most of the round. At the
end of the round Abbey, in the lead, entered the finals along with
two other students. The final round saw another unbroken run of
correct answers and Abbey emerged the 2012 top individual state
finalist.
Abbey will be competing at the National finals in February 2013 in
Melbourne along with the other top state finalist for a chance at
representing Australia in the 2012 International Brain Bee
competition.
Staff and students at the College extend our congratulations to the
team of students who have represented the College so
impeccably. We also extend our appreciation to Dr Jenny Rodger,
NHMRC Research Fellow at Experimental and Regenerative
Neurosciences School of Animal Biology for the support provided
to the College in the last two years. Finally, to the parents who
have supported the students through the preparation for the
competition, our warmest gratitude.
As we wish Abbey well with her continuing pursuits, we remember
that, a touch of strategic preparation, a mass of consistent
dedication and hours of sheer hard work is testimony to the fruit of
sustained success.
Diane Latchman, Science Co-ordinator
Photos—Top, WA Brain Bee Individual Winner
Below, St Mary‘s College team, Rajiv Latchman,
Simon Hill, Chelsea Siebert, Abbey Ford.
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