Mind Challenges
Pre-Kindergarten to Year 11
Young women have the ability and the need to think laterally and critically in many different situations.
The basic premise of Mind Challenges at MLC School is to allow interested girls to explore and develop these thinking skills in fun and creative ways. In teams, girls have the opportunity take part in a number of competitions from Year 4 onwards.
Topics will be presented such as specific openings (e.g. Italian Opening, Fried Liver Attack, King’s Gambit) and how to spot blunders from your opponent and take advantage of them. Endgame technique will be studied, which will make it easier for players to simplify and to convert a winning position.
Each student enrolled in any of the chess programs will be also given access to Chess Squad Academy, a safe online playing platform, and contains many features such as practicing drills, solving puzzles, playing the computer on increasing difficulty levels, and playing live timed matches against other students.
Coordinator: Kim Tran
Places available: Open to all interested students
Time: Monday 12.45pm–1.25pm
Location: Junior School STEM Lab
Cost: $12 per child per lesson (Term by term commitment, parents invoiced directly by Sydney Academy of Chess)
Enrolment: Contact Sydney Academy of Chess or call 02 9745 1170
da Vinci Club is an academic activity in which students engage in challenging questions and activities linked to a variety of disciplines including Drama, Art, Mathematics, Coding and Poetry. The Club also acts as preparation and training for those students who are interested in participating in the da Vinci Decathlon.
Coordinator: Jan Falls
Time: Year 5 and Year 6: Term 1
Location: Year 6 Studio
Enrolment: By invitation
The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. Students compete in Year groups in teams of eight across 10 disciplines including Engineering, Mathematics, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry, Science and English. The competition places a particular emphasis on higher order thinking skills, problem solving and creativity. The competition is hosted in Sydney and takes place over three days in May.
Selection
Students who have been invited to be involved in da Vinci Club are asked to complete a student nomination form. The da Vinci Decathlon coordinator will select final team members. Selection will be based on their responses in this form, their team building skills, commitment to training and strengths in da Vinci Decathlon disciplines.
Expectations
Girls who are selected to take part in the da Vinci Decathlon must attend the weekly training sessions and the NSW competition day in May. Should their team be successful at this day they must also be prepared to attend the National Competition day on a weekend in June.
Coordinator: Jan Falls
Places available: 16 (eight per year group)
Time: Friday 7.30am–8.15am
Location: Year 6 Studio
Enrolment: Complete a student nomination form
Selection
Students are invited to attend the training and preparation sessions during Term 1 and then complete a student nomination form. Final team members will be selected based on their responses in this form, their commitment to attending the training and preparation sessions, their team building skills and strengths in da Vinci Decathlon disciplines.
Expectations
Girls who are selected to take part in the da Vinci Decathlon must attend the weekly training sessions and the NSW competition day in May. Should their team be successful at this day they must also be prepared to attend the National competition day on a weekend in June.
Coordinator: Jan Falls
Places available: 40 (eight per Year group)
Time: Training and preparation: One lunchtime a week, negotiated between staff and students
Training: Most of Term 1.
Competition: Approximately Term 2, Week 5
Location: To be advised
Enrolment: Contact the coordinator
Website: davincidecathlon.com
Our Junior Competition Robotics Program is designed for students who demonstrate exceptional aptitude and passion for robotics and engineering. This program aims to foster innovation, teamwork, and advanced technical skills through hands-on experience and competitive challenges.
Participation in the Junior Competition Robotics Program is determined through an expression of interest and a practical-based selection process. Students who wish to join must submit an application detailing their interest, experience, and achievements in robotics. Selected candidates will be those who exhibit outstanding potential and dedication.
Throughout the year, students will engage in intensive workshops, collaborative projects, and rigorous training sessions to prepare for prestigious robotics competitions. These competitions provide a platform for students to showcase their skills, compete against the best and gain recognition for their innovative solutions.
Coordinator: Marie Cassar
Places available:
Tuesday – TBC
Thursday – TBC
Time:
Tuesday – 3.30pm–4.30pm
Thursday – 3.30pm–4.30pm
Location: Senior Centre Level 2
There is a cost associated with this activity
Enrolment:
Via invitation only Expression of Interest form will be available Term 1 2025
Payment links for 2025 will be opened soon.
Register via the MLC School Payments Page here
Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the world of STEM? Our co-curricular STEM program is designed to ignite your curiosity and enhance your skills across four dynamic terms, each with a unique focus.
Science: Dive into the wonders of the natural world! From conducting fascinating experiments to exploring the mysteries of the universe, this term will spark your scientific curiosity and deepen your understanding of the world around you.
Tech/ Art: Combine creativity with technology! Explore the intersection of art and STEM by engaging in projects that blend artistic expression with technology. From digital design to wearable art, let your imagination run wild.
Engineering: Build and innovate! This term focuses on hands-on engineering and robotics projects where you’ll design, create, and test your own inventions. Learn about the engineering process and bring your ideas to life through teamwork and creativity.
Mathematics: Unlock the power of numbers! This term, you’ll tackle exciting mathematical challenges and discover the beauty of patterns and logic. From 3D printing, cryptography to creating mathematical art masterpieces, you’ll explore how numbers influence design. Get ready for a term full of creativity, discovery, and hands-on fun!
Coordinator: Marie Cassar
Places available:
Tuesday – Year 1 and Year 2 – 20 places
Thursday – Year 3 and Year 4 – 20 places
Thursday – Year 3 and Year 4 – 20 places
Time:
Tuesday (Year 1 and Year 2)– 3.30pm–4.30pm
Thursday (Year 3 and Year 4) – 3.30pm–4.30pm
Thursday (Year 3 and Year 4) – 3.30pm–4.30pm
Location: Junior School STEM Lab
There is a cost associated with this activity
Enrolment:
This is a cost involved with this activity.
Register via the MLC School Payments Page here
Our engaging, project-based STEM co-curricular program for Year 5 to Year 10 is designed to complement the Science and Technologies syllabuses, extending learning into real-world applications. Through hands-on activities, students will develop the skills, attitudes, and critical thinking needed to tackle complex, intellectually rigorous challenges in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
This program aims to foster empathy-based leadership, encouraging students to approach problem-solving with a collaborative and compassionate mindset. Throughout the year students will be given the opportunity to participate in experiences and competitions that broaden their knowledge and skills, empowering them to make a meaningful impact within and beyond the school community.
Coordinator: Marie Cassar
Places available: 16 places
Monday (Year 5 to Year 8) – 20 places
Friday (Year 9 and Year 10) – 20 places
Time:
Monday (Year 5 to Year 8) – 3.30pm–4.30pm
Friday (Year 9 and Year 10) – 3.30pm–4.30pm
Location:
Monday (Year 5 to Year 8) – Junior School STEM Lab – extra places added
Friday (Year 9 and Year 10) – Senior Centre Level 2
There is a cost associated with this activity
Enrolment: Register via the MLC School Payments page here
Our Senior Robotics program offers an exciting learning experience for aspiring engineers and innovators. This program is suitable for students with all levels of experience who are interested in learning about robotics construction, coding and problem-solving. Through hands-on projects and challenges students will work collaboratively, gaining insights into engineering and automation using the Lego SPIKE Prime robotics system.
Coordinators: Bede Schofield and Marie Cassar
Places available:
Students to attend one day only.
Tuesday – 16 places
Thursday – 16 places
Time:
Tuesday 3.30pm-4.30pm OR,
Thursday 3.30pm-4.30pm
Location: Senior Centre Level 2
There is a cost associated with this activity
Enrolment: Register via the MLC School Payment page here
Tournament of Minds (ToM) is a team problem-solving program that requires students to solve demanding, open-ended challenges from one of the following disciplines:
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- STEM
- Language Literature
- The Arts
- Social Sciences
Teams work together for six weeks (without assistance), developing a creative solution to a Long Term Challenge, which they then present to a panel of judges on Tournament Day. The teams must also participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge on Tournament Day. At training sessions students will learn skills to assist with the Spontaneous Challenge that is required for the competition day.
ToM looks beyond academic achievement and understands that the pursuit of excellence knows no boundaries. It offers students a unique, total experience, providing challenge and growth through its six-week problem solving structure. The Tournament process provides a platform for excellence and equips participants with strategies and skills which will support future success.
SELECTION
Interested students will be invited to submit a self-nomination form and teams will be selected based on their responses to this form.
EXPECTATIONS
Team members must be available to commit to the team for the entire challenge and to attend every practice, as well as the tournament event, which takes place on a Sunday.
Coordinator: Jan Falls
Places available: 28 (seven per team)
Time and Location: Training and preparation:
Junior School – One morning per week
Senior School – One lunchtime a week, negotiated between staff and students
Training: Second half of Term 2 and first six weeks of Term 3
Competition: Sunday, Term 3, Week 6
Location: To be advised
There is a cost associated with this activity
Enrolment: Contact the coordinator
Web: www.tom.edu.au/NSW/NSW-Home.aspx