Term 2 has been another eventful term for our Primary Chess Club. Thirty students have been playing at the club, some are regular players and others come along and give it a try, but all are welcome.

This term, Cooper Beavan, Bryce Stout, Connor Boss, Lauren Stout and Evie Coulson competed in the Sunshine Coast Chess Age Championships. All the students did an amazing job and played their best chess against the toughest competitors on the Sunshine Coast. A special mention goes to Lauren Stout who gained a merit certificate, narrowly missing out on a medal in the U10 age group. Cooper Beavan achieved an outstanding result, coming away with the second place trophy for the U12 division.

In assembly this week we were also able to celebrate the results from our inter-school competition in Term 1 and from our own chess club competitions for both Term 1 and Term 2.

Term 1: Year 5/6 Gold – Cooper Beavan,  Silver – Bryce Stout
Term 1: Year 3/4 Gold – Lauren Stout and Evie Coulson,  Silver – Evie Waskow
Term 2: Year 5/6 Gold – Cooper Beavan,  Silver – Bryce Stout, Bronze – Connor Boss
Term 2: Year 3/4 Gold – Lauren Stout, Silver – Evie Coulson, Bronze – Amelia Buckland

The number of chess competitions and family fun days on the Sunshine Coast and North Brisbane area is growing rapidly. There are some wonderful opportunities for students from both Primary and Secondary age groups to develop their chess skills and have fun competing. For example, there is the first ever chess holiday workshop for students on the Sunshine Coast this holiday. For more information go to the Gardiner Chess website.

I look forward to seeing many more students having a go at the wonderful game of chess in the coming semester. The Primary Chess Club is held in the Honours classroom on Wednesday during the lunch break. Next term, in addition to students from Years 3-6,  we will be welcoming students from Years 1 and 2 who already know how to play chess. Unfortunately, with a large number of players and time constraints, we will not be able to teach younger students to play the game from scratch. The school holidays may be a perfect time to dust off the old chess board or have a go online at Chesskid.com.

Jeanette Roach, Primary Teacher

GCC families can see all the photos on Pixevety here.