Tournament of Minds State Final

Three cheers (make that FOUR cheers!) for our four fabulous TOM teams who showed great creativity, composure, teamwork and endurance at the Tournament of Minds State Final on Sunday, September 10! All four BMGS teams had qualified to compete at the State Final by winning their disciplines at the Regional Tournament two weeks earlier.

We met bright and early at UNSW, ready for a huge day. It was a blessing that every team member was well enough to be there, with fabulous support from family members. The teams and I were also very thankful for the support of Mrs Newton, Mr Forbes and Mrs Van Gelderen, all of whom volunteered to come along and encourage our teams and serve as Room Supervisors (for unknown teams) before I had even asked! It was also lovely to have Mr Coote as a supportive audience member in the afternoon.

At the State Final, teams are “locked” in a room with limited resources and no internet access for three hours. In that time, they must develop a creative solution to a previously unseen problem. Obviously, clever time management, excellent teamwork and serious application are essential if teams are to meet the criteria in this limited time! Teams are then required to present their solution dramatically to a large audience at a scheduled time in the afternoon (with all competing teams sitting in the presentation venue and watching each other) but are not allowed to discuss or rehearse their solution after the preparation time has finished.

Our Primary and Secondary Language Literature teams were required to reimagine the classic story of 'The Velveteen Rabbit', with specific reference to - and alteration of - structure. They explored the power of love to make us “real” and each demonstrated detailed knowledge of the text (which had been set as pre-reading). Our Secondary team incorporated music and song into their rendition of the story and went close to filling their allotted ten minute time-frame, with one of the longest presentations of the day (an achievement in itself!). Our Primary team was the LAST team to present on the day, so had to remember their plan from 12:10, when preparation time ceased, until 4:20 pm! They stayed calm and did an excellent job of communicating their ideas confidently despite the elapsed time.

Our Primary and Secondary Arts teams had to devise a presentation demonstrating the impact of the discovery of a recorder in a society where there was no music in living memory. As a part of this they were required to explore alternate uses for a recorder, and make instruments from recycled materials and perform an original song using them, reflecting aspects of the culture in question.

They also had to elaborate on the impact of music on the culture. Our Secondary team was first to perform, and set a high standard for other teams to aspire to, with convincing song and clever rhyme features of their performance. Our Primary team also performed very well, implying that attraction to certain aspects of technology may have led to the loss of music in the culture in question, and presenting sophisticated poetic expositions about the importance of music for mental health, among other things. In their feedback, the judges commended the team's “incredible ideas”.

During the preparation phase, teams are also visited by judges to undertake a previously unseen Spontaneous Challenge, which this year focused on the creative design of a badge symbolising the spirit of TOM.

While BMGS did not win any awards at the State Final this year, our teams are to be applauded for their wholehearted application to the challenge. Mutual respect, high expectations of themselves and each other, enthusiasm and determination were characteristics of all of our wonderful teams and they definitely belonged at this high level of competition. I commend and thank them for their outstanding efforts. Sincere thanks are extended also to parents and other family members who spent the long day at UNSW with us. Congratulations to all teams on their commitment and significant accomplishments throughout a remarkable season – well done!

The Arts Secondary: Abbey Crompton, Finn Snedden, Zariya Janine, Milo Grant, Eadie Macarthur, Ruby Minter and Neva Stockwell.

Language Literature Secondary: Simeon Gee, Elise Lowe, Gracie Olmos, Charlotte Scott, Bronte Secker, Clare Stewart and Grace Wesley.

The Arts Primary: Ruby Carter, Kane Emmerson, Abbie Johnson, Jack Lowe, Mikhaela Sommerville, James Tierney and Eva Tilley.

Language Literature Primary: Rose Cottle, Carlia Diskin, Carlyle Magee, Ava Parker, Ted Pritchard, Robbie Sommerville and Olive Terry.

Dr Elissa Drew

BMGS TOM Facilitator

Diary Dates

September/October 2023