Middle School

Year 7 Maths Games Day 

Article by Brennan Garcia - Head of Mathematics Years 7 - 12

On Monday, 18 August, Overnewton Anglican Community College hosted the Year 7 Maths Games Day, welcoming hundreds of students from schools including Wesley, Scotch, PEGS, and other surrounding schools. The competition challenged students to work collaboratively in teams to solve as many progressively complex mathematical problems as possible. 

The day also featured a variety of activities, including the fast-paced relay event—where team members collected new problems under time pressure—and an origami challenge that encouraged creativity and precision. 

Congratulations to PEGS for securing first place, and to our own students for an excellent performance, finishing in the top eight. 

We also extend our best wishes to our Year 8 team, the reigning 2024 champions, as they head to PEGS on Wednesday for their competition.  

Middle School Sausage Sizzle - Wednesday 27th

Year 5 Maths Games Day 

Article by Dylan - Year 5 Student

Would we, could we win? The stakes were high on Friday, 15th of August, as two teams of students from Year 5 went to PEGS to compete in the annual Year 5 Maths Games Competition.  

On arrival, we were greeted a warm welcome and amazing hospitality from the PEGS students. The immaculate and spotless school gave us both nerves and excitement to begin. The first session commenced with 5 problem solving sheets. The tension was in the air, our problem-solving skills were challenged as we strived to answer all the questions within 45 minutes. It came down to the last seconds for Team 2. Ever resilient, both teams rebounded and were ready to be challenged with the next round; Strategy Games; these included Triangular Tactics, Traffic Lights, and Beehive. Each game tested our quick thinking and strategic skills, so with a friendly shake of hands, we faced off against our opponents for winning scores, to gain hard earned points. After lunch, it came down to the final challenge, the Relay Race. A selection of 19 brain teaser questions to answer and run with lightning speed get corrected. Adrenaline pumped through our veins as we sprinted back and forth. Team 1 scored an amazing 18 out of 19 correct!  

Finally, it was presentation time, there was a buzz of chatter in anticipation for the winners, it was a nerve-racking wait for the schools competing. While neither of our teams came in the top 3, the experience and fun that was experienced is what counted the most. 

Middle School String Students Performs at VSMF 

Last week, three of the College string ensembles performed at the Victorian Schools Music Festival held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. Middle School students were participants in two of these ensembles. 

On Monday, String Fusion featured. The students performed to a panel of highly skilled string educators, who assessed their performance and provided immediate feedback.  

The lead adjudicator led the students through a review of their performances, providing practical insights on how to sharpen their skill. The ensemble was awarded a Silver Grade.  

The String Orchestra had their opportunity on Friday. They performed three challenging pieces that impressed the adjudicators and achieved a gold standard. 

Congratulations to the ensembles and to their conductors: Ms Ally Broddle (String Fusion) and Mrs Prue Jury (String Orchestra) 

All the College String ensembles, will feature at the “Luminescent Strings” concert that is part of the Festival of Music, on Monday 1st September at Brimbank Salvation Army. For ticketing details, and information about learning an instrument at the College turn to the Encore Music & Theatre page in this edition of Whispers.