RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONS - WINNERS 3 YEARS RUNNING! (WS)

The College represented Victoria in the Primary Open Division of 2019's Australian Schools Chess Championships (ASTC), having previously won the State Finals. We faced our toughest opponent in Round 1, East Marden Primary School (SA), but our team was well-prepared, focused and played very well to win 4:0. Even though the result was flattering, all 4 games were very competitive, intense and lasted more than 2 hours!

Some of the highlights of the tournament included:

• Achieving three-peat for both Australian School Teams Championships Primary Open Division (National) and Victorian Primary Open Grand Final (State).
• Finishing with 18 out of 20 points and subsequently winning the Grand Prize (Graeme Gardiner Shield), which is the top score across all 4 divisions in the tournament.
• Four of our team members won Board prizes - Rey Ding (6C) for Board 1, Dylan Chan (5A) for Board 2, Kevin Bao (6B) for Board 3 and Enoch Ho (6C) for Board 5.

Even though the focus was on chess over the weekend, there was much camaraderie, encouragement and unity between the team members. Lifelong friendships have been formed not only among the team members but also among the families. For most of the team members, this humbling opportunity to represent our College and Victoria in the Schools Chess Nationals began in 2017. Prior, the College had participated in nearly 10 State Finals but had not won. It was an amazing achievement, back then, to win our first State Final and to go on to win our maiden participation in Nationals. Three years later, it is only by God's grace and to His glory that Waverley has now won the Primary Open State and National titles 3 years in a row!

This achievement will be a treasured memory for all the team members and a fitting 'parting gift' for the graduating Year 6 team members who have faithfully contributed to the school chess team over the last few years.

Mrs Catherine Cross (Gifted and Talented Teacher)                        

Mrs Stephanie Wong (Chess Support and Parent)

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