Yarrawonga College P-12 students recently participated in Energy Breakthrough in Maryborough from November 2024 which is an annual event to promote sustainable vehicles, physical fitness and community spirit.
YCP-12 participated in the Pushcart and Human Powered Vehicle (HPVs) TRYathlon events.
The Primary 5/6 TRYathlon team the ‘Mite-y Machines’ began the event with their 8-hour endurance race which all members showed great enthusiasm for the entirety of the trial, finishing with over 100 laps of the 1.6km track.
They then backed up their efforts with a solid outing the next day completing their time trial and obstacle trial. The team finished an impressive fifth overall in their division.
The following days saw the secondary students take the track, with the Years 7/8 and 9/10 TRYathlon teams coming away with wins in their respective divisions.
The 7/8 ‘Fighting Fairies’ winning the mixed and the 9/10 ‘Cod Catchers’ winning the open division by an impressive 20 laps ahead of the next team. All teams competed in an obstacle course, time trial and 8-hour endurance race and showed tremendous teamwork, endeavour and personal challenges in the competition.
All teams also embraced the community of the Energy Breakthrough in their interaction with other schools and organisers during the Display and Presentation and Design and Construction aspects of the event.
Years 3-6 Pushcart students competed in 4 disciplines. On Wednesday, the Years 3-6 pushcart students took part in scrutineering to ensure the vehicles passed safety checks.
The students did a marvellous job working as a team to disassemble, then reassemble the pushcarts. After this, they had to face the scrutineer who asked them questions about the process of being involved in Energy Breakthrough.
The students were well pleased when they got the pass from the judge to allow the vehicles to be used.
On Thursday, the first event was the obstacle course. Students had to weave around barrels and hay bales as quickly as they could without touching any of the obstacles.
Next was the endurance, where pairs of students pushed each other for 150 metres, before changing with the next pair.
Finally, P-12 students participated in the sprint event. This involved pushing your partner 50 metres, swapping, then pushing back to change with the next pair.
What made the efforts even more commendable was that students competed in very hot conditions.
A big thank you to parents who supported their children throughout the program.
Well done to the students for your dedication and organisational skills with helping with fundraisers and committing to practice sessions.
Finally, to the valued sponsors. Yarrawonga College P-12 are fortunate to have a supportive community that sees the benefits of Energy Breakthrough.
Planning has already begun for the 2025 Energy Breakthrough.