Latest Principal's Bulletin

STEM

DiscoveryHZ at the 2025 UNSW ProgComp!

 

The 2025 edition of the UNSW Sydney High Schools Programming Competition (ProgComp) saw over 148 teams from 31 elite schools across Australia compete in a thrilling two-hour challenge. Each team was tasked with solving and coding seven complex mathematical problems, testing their computational thinking and programming skills under pressure.

 

Representing St Monica’s College (SMC) was our very own team DiscoveryHZ (Discovery HORIZONS), a dynamic group of students who showcased effort and teamwork:

  • Henry Tran and Andrew Zhao (Year 9), our mathematics specialists,

  • Noah Bucak, the team’s Python programmer,

  • and Lucas Doedens (Year 7), who brought fresh ideas and enthusiasm.

 

Together, they tackled each problem with courage and creativity, demonstrating how diverse skill sets and collaboration can lead to success. Their performance highlighted the transferability of skills across disciplines and the importance of critical thinking in today’s digital world.

 

STEM Skills in Action

 

DiscoveryHZ’s journey is a powerful example of how STEM education—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—prepares students for real-world challenges. Through computational problem solving, students develop:

  • Logical reasoning and analytical thinking

  • Creative approaches to complex tasks

  • Technical proficiency in programming

  • Teamwork and communication skills

Competitions like ProgComp allow students to apply these skills in high-pressure environments, simulating the kind of challenges they will face in future academic and professional settings.

 

Why Competitions Like ProgComp Matter

 

Participating in events like ProgComp offers students:

  • Skill Development: Enhancing coding, math, and collaboration abilities

  • Confidence Building: Encouraging independent thinking and resilience

  • Career Pathways: Opportunities for scholarships and future studies in Computer Science

  • Networking: Connecting with peers, mentors, and institutions like UNSW

  • Real-World Experience: Applying classroom knowledge to practical problems

 

DiscoveryHZ, by fearlessly taking on new challenges, has demonstrated the value of nurturing curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking in the young learner

Congratulations to DiscoveryHZ!

 

Your team’s ‘have-a-go’ spirit inspires us all and reflects the excellence of St Monica’s College in nurturing future innovators.

 

Monican STEM Outreach: St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, Lalor

 

STEM outreach programs are powerful initiatives that connect our school with our feeder primary schools, promoting collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning. These programs not only enhance educational experiences for our youngest students but also build lasting relationships within the local educational community.

 

At St Monica’s College (SMC), the STEM Outreach Program focuses on two key pillars:

  • Community Building: Strengthening ties between local schools to create a seamless educational journey

  • Educational Support: Offering engaging Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities that introduce primary students to the possibilities of secondary education.

In Term 2, a vibrant collaboration unfolded between Claudia Palmisano, a STEM teacher at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, and the SMC STEM Team. Claudia challenged her Year 6 students to design a small toy of their choice. Using digital design tools, students brought their ideas to life, culminating in the creation of 3D-printed prototypes.

 

SMC played a pivotal role by providing resources and expertise in advanced manufacturing and prototyping. Through hands-on experience, students discovered the importance of the Design Thinking process, learning that initial designs often require refinement and iteration before reaching a final product.

 

This initiative not only ignited creativity but also instilled resilience and problem-solving skills in young learners. It demonstrated that STEM is not just about technology—it is about imagination, collaboration, and learning from mistakes.

 

The Monican STEM Outreach Program continues to inspire and empower younger students by bridging the gap between primary and secondary education. Through meaningful partnerships like the one with St Catherine’s, students gain early exposure to innovation and critical thinking, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and discovery.

 

Mr S Bagh 

Senior Teacher 

STEM Education and Futures Technologies