TOURNAMENT OF MINDS - COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Are you interested in getting involved in a fantastic creative problem solving program for Primary and Secondary students in the Sydney North Region. Tournament of Minds (TOM) is a spectacular program that encourages creative problem solving, critical thinking, team work and innovation, to name just a few skills, that benefit students immediately in their learning and also in their lifelong pursuits. Teams of seven students spend six weeks working together to solve a problem and develop a dramatic presentation of their solution.
The Regional Tournament will be held at Roseville College on Sunday 23 August 23 and good judges are needed.
Dear Local Community Groups,
I am writing to enquire about any interest that members of your Community Group might have in getting involved in a fantastic creative problem solving program for Primary and Secondary students in the Sydney North Region. Tournament of Minds (TOM) is a spectacular program that encourages creative problem solving, critical thinking, team work and innovation, to name just a few skills, that benefit students immediately in their learning and also in their lifelong pursuits. Teams of seven students spend six weeks working together to solve a problem and develop a dramatic presentation of their solution. They select their long term challenge from one of the following four disciplines: Maths Engineering, Applied Technology, Social Sciences, Language and Literature. They also work together in this time to develop the team work skills required to solve a spontaneous problem presented to them on the day - for this challenge they have just 4-5 minutes to brainstorm an effective and original solution. Students experience incredible challenge and an enormous amount of fun, making this a truly dynamic and worthwhile program.
Our Regional Tournament will be held at Roseville College on Sunday August 23 and we are always in need of good judges. I am hoping that there might be some members of your Community Group who would be interested in devoting a half day - or even a full day! - to judging the teams as they present their challenge solutions. Perhaps there are ex-teachers, retired engineers, literature lovers, or just interested adults amongst your members who could spare a few hours on the day. Judges work on a panel of three, so they are always well-supported, and I will be holding a training session on Thursday August 6 at Wenona School in North Sydney (details on the attached Judges' Invitation) to provide further guidance about the process.
The Regional Tournament is a full day event and students, parents and teachers come and go throughout the day as teams prepare, present and watch other teams present as well. Merchandise sales, food stalls and some entertainment also feature on the day. We currently have 37 schools in the Sydney North Region who will have one or more teams participating this year. The winners in each discipline for Primary and Secondary will go on to represent Sydney North Region at the State Final on Sunday September 13 at UNSW and the winners from there will progress to the Australasian Pacific Final on Saturday October 17, also at UNSW this year. We will hopefully be able to convince some of our experienced Regional judges to go on to judge at one or both of these two events as well!
I have attached a flyer about TOM, along with a Judge's Guide and Judges' Invitation Form. Further information about the program itself can be found on the TOM website: www.tom.edu.au, or I would gladly answer any questions. Of course, if there was anyway that we could ensure that the involvement of your group in the tournament was mutually beneficial, I would be very happy to discuss.
I do hope to hear back from you and would truly appreciate any support that you might be able to provide.
Kindest regards
Amanda O'Neil