Student Competitions
Berkeley Vale School offers students the opportunity to enter many prestigious local, state and national academic competitions. Our school participates each year in the following competitions.
- University of New South Wales Competitionsin Computer Skills, English, Maths, Science, Spelling and Writing. This is now an international competition open to schools both nationally around Australia and also from countries of the South Pacific Area. Total numbers of student participation is 2 million.
We encourage all students in years 3-6 to enter the annual University of New South Wales competitions, both as a guide to show parents how their child compares to other students in their age group across NSW and as practice for Naplan testing.
Our school has a reputation for a high number of students participating in these tests as well as achieving excellent results.
- Premier's Spelling Bee
This is a state based competition for Public Schools of NSW held in Term 3. Primary classes in Years 3-6 all choose two students to enter the School Spelling Bee Competition for the title of School Spelling Bee Champion in Stage 2 and Stage 3. All school finalists receive a lovely Certificate of Achievement from the Premier in recognition of their participation. The two winners and runner-ups from Stage 2 and 3 then represent the school at The Regional Spelling Bee Finals. The winners from the Regional Final go on to compete in the State Final in Term 4 at the Eugene Goosens Hall, ABC Centre, Ultimo, Sydney.
- Premier's Reading Challenge
This is a state based challenge for all students K-6 to individually read the set of books on the Premier's Reading List during the challenge period. Students who complete the challenge are recognised with a Reading Certificate from the Premier.
- Public Speaking Competition
This is a competition for students in Years 2-6 to display their Public Speaking Skills. After class competitions, two students are chosen from each class to represent their class in the School Public Speaking Competition presenting a prepared speech. Certificates are awarded to the finalists with the winner from each stage being recognised as the Public Speaker School Champion. These winners then represent the school at the next level of competition where impromptu speeches have to be prepared and presented to an adjudicating panel.
- Other competitions promoted throughout the year are usually in the fields of art and writing.