“Our aim is to help the public understand the digital world by advancing computing education. This board puts in the groundwork to make computing education effective for everyone, from ensuring every child learns about computer science to helping teachers engage students and supporting scholars and researchers.

It does this with the help of the following sub committees and groups: Academic Accreditation Committee; Computing at Schools Board; Women in Research Group; Academy Awards Committee; Turing Lecture Committee; School Curriculum and Assessment Committee; Scottish Computing Education Committee; Northern Ireland Computing Education Committee.”

So, another year, another group of excited children who were interested in representing their school in the competition. The boundaries for the competition had been changed this year to include Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. However, this still was a very large area for entrants from schools, ranging from Year 5 to Year 10. But the children were excited and full of ideas for making their resources for the judges.

Our entrants this year were:

Year 5 – Benny B, Ravleena, Gabriel, Rafe and Elliott

Year 6 – Zahra and Rene

Over 10 weeks of commitment from the children for twice weekly workshops with me, as well as a lot of working on their resources at home allowed the children plenty of time to complete their work to a high standard. We had animations, games, and quizzes! Let’s hope the judges liked their work!

All entries were submitted on the 20^th June, and with fingers crossed we waited.

This year, Ip-Fan Shing (one of the main organisers and a judge) had arranged for the Finals Awards Ceremony to be held on 4^th July at Cranfield University, Bedfordshire. With bated breath, six children (the other two year 6 children were unable to join us due to other commitments), myself and Mrs Griffin all headed off to the ceremony. When we got there, we grabbed a front row seat and sat waiting patiently. Schools arrived from all over – from Bedford Modern and Kingswood (Corby), to name just a few.

Fan asked a few children to come and demonstrate their games, and for year 5, Rafe and Elliott got the job - they were both very nervous! After their demonstration, the children watched the older children from year 7, year8 and year 10 show off their resources, all made using different computer languages.

Eventually it was time for the announcements from the judges. We all listened in with a quiet anticipation and lots of nerves…

“In year 5, the winner this year is THE HILLS ACADEMY with Rafe and Elliott’s entry!”. A grin spread across my face as I turned and ushered a shocked Rafe and Elliott towards the front of the room to collect their awards. Their faces were a picture of shock and happiness as they stood and had pictures taken.

Next was year 6….

“In third place, for year 6, the winner this year goes to Zahra!”. Unfortunately, she was not able to attend, but I collected her award on her behalf.

Another successful year for the Hills Academy! We were so happy!

After the rest of the awards presentations, we had a presentation from Veri Granger, Bedfordshire Police all about cybercrime. She began by telling the children that the skills they have been learning needed to be used for good and not lead to children getting in trouble using computers. She then gave us lots and lots of interesting information about Cyber choices from the law to job opportunities to numerous things that the children could do with their skills.

  

 

 

 

After the presentation, we went outside to visit the large Boeing 737 that is used for aviation technology research before heading back inside for a drink and snack just before getting ourselves ready to head back to school.

Just before heading back, we had some waiting time for our pickup so one of the organisers asked if anyone like Formula 1 cars. Well, the children all shouted “yes!” and so he took us to another building to see some. Along the way, he casually mentioned that Max Verstappen had flown into the airfield on the campus, in readiness for the weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone the day before our visit. The children were speechless!

After seeing the F1 cars, and talking with the organiser, it was time to say goodbye to another successful Cyber Challenge competition. We all agreed we had had a fabulous day, and the children had been superb.

Well done

Mrs Williams