Epro8 Challenge Regional Grand Final

Our Epro8 Challenge ended on a high for 2018.  Our two senior teams, The Whakarongo Brainboxes and Whakarongo Technological Turtles arrived with games faces on, ready to build!  There was a bit of tough talking from some of the teams but once the race briefing ended, our two teams put their heads down and worked solidly for two and half hours for the second time in a week.  The teams built, bowling alleys, snail race tracks and more, working smoothly and having fun while doing it!

We were super proud of their results, the year 7 team of Caleb, Maddi, Riley and Zac, came a terrific 2nd place and they just pipped the Year 8's  (Axis, Noah, Emma and Johanna) who came 3rd. 

I'm sure the teams would not have performed so well without the knowledge that their families were there in the audience supporting them at every level of the competition - a huge thank you to you all for giving them that extra support.

Bring on 2019!

Epro8 Challenge Regional Semi Finals

What a day!  Two great competitions  - a huge amount of problem-solving and once again - outstanding teamwork.  I was tremendously proud of our three teams and the way they conducted themselves throughout their competitions.  They were gracious and honest, respecting both their own efforts and those of their peers - pretty mature stuff really!

The teams faced some tough challenges in this round "The Rock Band Edition".  A wider range of skills was called for and our teams created led volume measures, a band stage, speakers and rigs, as well as the infamous mosh pits which required supporting maths calculations.

Well done to Hunter, Hannah, Louis and Adiel for their 10th place in the year 5/6 competition - with only 80 points between 1st and 10th it was a very close battle.  And congratulations to Caleb, Riley, Maddi, Zac, Axis, Noah, Emma and Jojo - all of whom progress to the Regional Grand Final on Thursday.  The Whakarongo Technological Turtles placing 2nd and the Whakarongo Brainboxes just 10 points behind in 3rd.

Here are some photos from the events.

Epro8 Challenge Heats Year 5 and 6

On Wednesday morning it was back to the College Street school hall for the next Epro8 Challenge Event, this time for our year 5 and 6 teams.

The Whakarongo Tornadoes (Hunter Kennedy, Louis Crawford, Hannah McLean and Adiel Ngirazi) tackled a magnetic magicians table with huge success, then moving on to produce other great solutions to the range of challenges available to them.  The four students worked exceptionally well together and were strong contenders throughout the duration of the event, earning a marvelous 2nd place!

The Whakarongo Champions (Charlotte Burt, Lejla Arnautovic-Wootton, Aidan Harris and Prya Simon) showed tenacity and resilience as they built their bed for 'Uncle Bill' and its accompanying solar powered alarm clock.  When the final buzzer sounded they ended up in a sudden-death tie breaker with two other schools seeking a place in the semi-finals.  It was a hard-fought structural challenge and they were just pipped in the final seconds to come 4th equal.

Both teams represented Whakarongo School admirably and made their watching parents and whanau very proud.

Here are some photos from the event:

Epro8 Challenge Heats - Year 7/8

What a fun night!  It was a real privilege to join with parents and whanau to watch our terrific Year 7 and 8 teams work their magic at the Epro8 Challenge Regional Heats.

The Whakarongo Brainboxes (Axis Simon, Emma Mildenhall, Johanna Halcox and Noah McCallum) showed resilience and super problem solving as they worked to create a solar alarm clock, a fire engine with a ladder and a hurricane-proof dog kennel.  They were supportive of each other, and of their fellow teammates and they were more than deserving of their 2nd place finish.

The WhakarongoTechnological Turtles (Caleb 'Cable' Woisin, Zac Doyle, Maddi Brown and Riley Best) were the first team of the night to get points on the board.  They were swift and decisive as they worked through their challenges.  They exhibited seamless collaboration which made the audience extremely proud.  They ended the night in 3rd place - securing their spot in the Regional Semi-Finals.

Here are a range of pictures from the evening: