Burnside has had prominent successes over the years competing in the Future Problem Solving New Zealand contests, and this year has been no different.

During Term 3, multiple groups of four and several individuals being coached by E Wen Wong and William Wray completed a Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS) ‘lock-up’ based around the topic of Gamification.

Out of our several groups across two age divisions, two middle division individuals (Ryan Yi and Maya Rodnyanskiy) and one middle division team (Ike Dukie, Francie Liebert, Zoey Kenix and Victoria Ding) qualified for the national finals. Alia Govin-Fowler from the senior division also qualified through a different subcategory of FPS (Scenario Writing).

The FPSNZ national finals would usually be held in Auckland where all finalists would compete on-site, but unfortunately due to Covid-19 was held remotely and submitted online. After extensive research on the national topic, Living In Poverty, the group and one of the individuals (Ryan Yi) completed their booklets here at Burnside on the 31st of October.

After the competitors completed their booklets, they took part in the next step - their mandatory Presentation of Action Plan (PAP) - a dramatic presentation of the final step of their booklet. The FPS Team (with the help of the individual and their coaches) created and submitted their PAP (The Wizard of Aus).

Awards were presented through a virtual ceremony and BHS had a very successful run - E Wen Wong received a Student Service award, Maya Rodnyanskiy placed 3rd in her division and the Presentation of Action Plan placed 1st overall.

On behalf of all the finalists this year, I’d like to give a big thank you to Mr Watson, Ms Mentink, William Wray and E Wen Wong for their help and tireless support :)

Francie Liebert