Academic Triathlon 2024 – Who Will Hold the Title?
The energy was buzzing at Santa Maria College as students across all Houses came together to compete in the annual Academic Triathlon. This McAuley Shield event is one of the highlights of Term 4, bringing out students’ competitive spirit as they strive for the title of ‘Smartest House.’
The triathlon consists of three challenging rounds: a Spelling Bee, a General Knowledge Quiz, and a Maths Competition. It tests students’ academic skills and fosters teamwork and school pride.
The event is spread across two House PCTs, with each year group taking on different challenges:
- Spelling Bee: Years 5, 7, and 8
- General Knowledge Quiz: Years 9, 10, and 11
- Maths Round: Years 5 – 8 and Year 10
Amelia Taranto, Santa Maria College’s 2025 Academic Captain, played a pivotal role in organising the triathlon, designing quiz questions and overseeing various rounds. Amelia shared insights into the planning process, the teamwork involved, and what makes this event a special tradition.
Can you tell us about the preparation and teamwork that went into the event?
“Preparing for this event required hard work from both students and teachers,” Amelia shared. “I collaborated closely with teachers from different departments to develop questions for the general knowledge quiz and spelling bee. We drew on previous Academic Captains’ work to avoid repeating questions, and marking was truly a team effort, with peers volunteering to help assess papers on the quiz day.”
What makes the Academic Triathlon unique at Santa Maria College?
According to Amelia, the Academic Triathlon’s uniqueness lies in its collaborative nature. “Each House includes representatives from multiple year levels, working together to answer questions in the general knowledge round. This structure encourages friendships across age groups, creating a wonderful sense of unity.”
What did you look forward to the most, and were there any highlights?
Amelia expressed excitement about planning the general knowledge quiz. “I discovered so many interesting facts while preparing the questions and seeing the quiz in action was incredibly rewarding. This year’s participation level was impressive, and witnessing everyone’s enthusiasm was a definite highlight.”
What role did you play in supporting and leading the teams?
“As Academic Captain, I had the privilege of directing the general knowledge quiz and helping with the mathematics round. I read instructions, announced questions, and guided students through marking and scoring. I particularly enjoyed working with Year 5 students in the maths round – their enthusiasm was infectious!”
What advice would you give future students interested in the Academic Triathlon?
Amelia encouraged all students to participate, noting that the event provides a great opportunity to learn new things in a supportive environment. “It might seem intimidating, but you never know; you might discover a new talent or interest!”
The Spirit of House Participation
Amanda Nenke, Kelly House Coordinator, highlighted an inspiring story of a Year 5 student who stepped up as a reserve due to a last-minute change. “Watching her thrive was a perfect example of how participation fosters success and strengthens team spirit. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone’s efforts,” she said.
A highlight for Frayne House Coordinator, Ben Walker, was the gamification of knowledge. “The spelling bee feels like a gameshow fit for television. It is wonderful to see students get competitive and spirited with their knowledge. They challenge themselves and engage with academics in a different way from what we see in the classroom. It was also amazing to see the talents of some of the younger year students, able to solve maths problems that the Year 12 helpers themselves struggled to solve at times!”
This event has once again proven that academic achievements deserve as much celebration and enthusiasm as sports, creating a well-rounded experience for every student.
- AcademicExcellence, AcademicTriathlon, McAuleyShield, SantaMariaCollege, StudentCompetition
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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