Student opportunities and activities

Maths Olympiad and Chess Club

All students from Stages 2 and 3 may attend our weekly Chess Club. Students receive expert tuition through lessons delivered by coaches from Sydney Academy of Chess (SAoC). Each year, we hold two tournaments (home and away) against our friendly local rivals, Wiley Park Public School.

The Maths Olympiad program engages our most advanced mathematicians in more demanding problem-solving. Explicit teaching allows these students in Stage 3 ( and sometimes Year 4) to work together in building strategies and skills to answer perplexing questions.  All students individually complete four 30-minute tests comprising five challenging questions.  Answers are then discussed and approaches compared.

Debating

Students can develop their thinking, communication and teamwork skills through debating and public speaking. Debating is offered to students in Stage 3 as a lunchtime extracurricular activity.  Teams of four then represent our school in interschool debates.  Topics allow students to practice explaining their ideas clearly, whilst the need to rebut their opponents calls for quick thinking in identifying weaknesses in arguments presented.

Public Speaking

Students develop their capacity to speak publicly in front of others through delivering prepared speeches in class.  The best speeches earn their speaker the right to compete against representatives from other classes in their grade.  The best of these speakers are then able to present Punchbowl Pubic School in regional events such as the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking competition.

Creative and performing arts

Our drama, music and art programs help students be creative and express themselves. They can join in concerts, art shows and drama activities.

Our choir and dance ensembles create and rehearse performances, culminating in their performance as part of the multi-school choir at the Combined Public Schools Music Festival.  Performances also happen across the school year at a variety of school-based events.

Trips and excursions

Our students enjoy getting out of the classroom to explore, learn and try new things. These experiences help them grow, build confidence and see how their learning connects to the world.