Challenge accepted for Bangalow and Alstonville Game Changers

Year 6 students from two northern NSW public schools are jetting off to Sydney for the challenge of a lifetime – which if solved, could fix a slew of worldwide problems.

Bangalow public school Game Changer's, the Greenwalkers: Quinn A, left, Luka UW, Miles P, Oscar R (behind), and Harry B.

Year 6 students from public schools in Bangalow and Alstonville are jetting off to Sydney for the challenge of a lifetime – which if solved, could fix a slew of worldwide problems.

The two northern New South Wales primary schools are among 20 grand finalists in the NSW Game Changer Challenge from November 5 to 7.

The finalists have advanced from a field of 400 teams across the state and are now developing their concepts.

Alstonville Public School students Sofia Crethar, Asha Kincade, and Charli Glass said the competition could help solve real world issues such as the cost of living crisis and global warming.

Alstonville Public School students Breanna Steine, Claire Foster, Sofia Crethar, Asha Kincade, and Charli Glass have formed the MVP's to compete with other schools across the state in the Game Changer Challenge.

Year 6 student Sophia Creathar said their theme in the competition was to “make life better for all without harming the planet” and addressed “helping people access food without breaking the bank”.

“All over the world you have to learn how to grow food or source food suitable to your area,” Sophia said.

The girls said their concept included tips on agriculture, beekeeping and fishing.

Alstonville Public School acting principal Dave Hutchins said teams produced a 60 second solution pitch video that qualified them for the semi-finals. The winning teams were then selected for the finals in Sydney.

“ … people in our local area said the cost of living is one of the biggest problems so we thought we could try and expand on that because a lot of people all over the world can’t afford food or can’t access it,” the girls said.

Alstonville Public School are regulars at the grand final, last year winning the ‘Impact and Awareness Award.’

It is also the second year in a row Bangalow Public School has qualified.

The Bangalow students, the Greenwalkers, are focusing on food waste and looking at ways to incentivise green bin use and re-using waste to create pasture/produce.

They are also aiming to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill and reduce gas emissions in an effort to curb the impacts of global warming.

Got a news tip? email [e-mail]