Greatness Beyond the Gates

At Valkstone Primary, we love celebrating the many ways our students shine beyond the school gates. Each week, we hear stories of children achieving wonderful things in sport, the arts, community service, and personal passions — and we couldn’t be prouder. This page is dedicated to honouring those moments and recognising the commitment, courage, and enthusiasm our students show in the wider world.

Student Achievement in Chess

We are pleased to share an outstanding achievement by Bella Xia from 4B, who recently represented herself with great distinction at the 2026 O2C Doeberl Cup (Chess) held in Canberra over the Easter long weekend.

The Doeberl Cup is Australia’s longest‑running international chess tournament, attracting highly ranked players from across the country and overseas. Competing in the Minor division, Bella was awarded the Pooja Cup, a perpetual trophy recognising the Best Australian Female Junior in the division. 

Based on tournament records, Bella seems to be one of the youngest recipients ever of this cup in the event's 60-year history, as Bella is only 9 years old!

This is a remarkable accomplishment, particularly given Bella’s age, and reflects her dedication, strategic thinking and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Achievements such as these highlight the diverse talents of our students and the commitment they show to their interests both in and beyond school.

We congratulate Bella on this fantastic success and commend her for representing herself and our school community so well.