The 2020 Canterbury Maatangi Whenua Geography Quiz Competition was held recently at University of Canterbury.

The Maatangi Whenua is an annual competition that is held over the whole country. There were 10 rounds testing the top Year 11 Geography students. The key knowledge requirements were based around Current Geographic Events, Landmarks, Natural Features, Mapping and a wide variety of countries.

Our SBHS teams were under immense pressure to get back into the top three, after a number of ‘lean’ years in this prestigious competition. Due to COVID-19 Level 2 restrictions keeping gatherings to under 100, there was a limit of 25 teams. These teams represented 15 different schools from as far afield as Rangiora and Timaru.

The usual sterling efforts from our two Shirley Boys'High School  teams were seen in the Playdoh modelling, using satellite imagery, Christchurch CBD and flag knowledge rounds. After round one, SBHS SJH were in 3rd place and SBHS MJS were in 10th, after 3 rounds our two teams were tied in 5th. And at the end of the round robin SBHS MJS finished 2nd overall on 123 points. They were pipped for the title by the Cashmere High School Team One on 125 points, with Christchurch Girls' High School rounding out the top three.

Shirley Boys' High School MJS team members were Noah Smith, Kieran Sinclair-Lomax and Liam van den Bosch, pictured above holding the SBHS ‘top team’ trophy.

SBHS SJH Team 2, finished a valiant 10th place. 

Shirley Boys' High School should be particularly proud of their efforts, as two of the starting team had to withdraw before the start.