UGDSB Elementary students come together for regional Skills Competition

April 11, 2023

GUELPH, ON – On April 4, 2023, Upper Grand District School Board elementary students came together at the University of Guelph for the UGDSB’s Regional Skills Competition.

Competing in Skills competitions is not new for UGDSB students, but this year marked an exciting competition as this was the first in-person elementary Regional Skills Competition for the UGDSB since before COVID-19 closures.

This year, almost 1,000 students in grades 4-8 from over 41 elementary schools competed in several events. This year the competition categories focused on STEM and skilled trades with events including the Construction Challenge, Green Energy, Health and Safety, Lego Mechanics, Lego Robotics, TV and Video Production and Vex Robotics.

William Winegard Public School teacher Steve Rane said that one of the best things about Skills is that “it’s just for the kids. There’s no teachers, there’s no help, it’s just two, three or four kids that get to work together as a team – try to problem solve and make things work. There are always little things that come up which is what makes it challenging, but you get to see their creativity…the way they do things, which is the best real-world experience they can get…. It’s still in a fun environment, but competitive enough that they want to do well but [not so competitive] that it’s stressful.”

This year’s winners included:

Lego Robotics grades 4-6

1st place – Primrose ES, Carson, Alice, Kaleigh and Eric – coached by Sherie Anderson
2nd place – Ecole Guelph Lake, Logan, Connor, Madeline and Kendall – coached by David Kaufman
3rd place – Mitchel Woods PS, Thomas, Aaryan, Grace and Elizabeth – coached by Chris Murray and Jane Roy

Lego Mechanics grades 4-6

1st place – Central PS, Jasper, Sam, John and Gayatri – coached by Kate Brennagh
2nd place – John Black PS, Wade, Cam, Archer and Jazlynn – coached by Sarah-Jane Olszewski
3rd place – Alma PS, Paitra, Jacob, Lillian and James – coached by Keri Hons and Sherri Woodland

Lego Robotics grades 7 and 8

1st place – Minto-Clifford PS, Foxx, Rylan, Thomas and Easton – coached by Justin Novikow
2nd place – Ecole Guelph Lake, Emma, Sadiee, Caiya and Carissa – coached by Nicola Gallagher
3rd place – William C Winegard PS – Ali, Adam, Jack and Logan – coached by Brandon Rees

Lego Mechanics grades 7 and 8

1st place – Kortright Hills PS, Lucas, Gryphon, Dylan and Noah – coached by Barbara Hug
2nd place – Aberfoyle PS, Bryson, Roshan, Ethan and Ayden – coached by Jaime Skeoch
3rd place – Waverley Drive PS, Noah, Bear, Liam and Callum – coached by Scott Caverly

VEX Robotics grades 4-6

1st place – Waverley Drive PS, Jaden, Lucas and Jack – coached by Scott Calverly
2nd place – Maryborough PS, Cole, Meredith, Maiewan and Ty – coached by Lori Albrecht
3rd place – Minto-Clifford PS, Noah, Lucas, Adelaide and Lucia – coached by Justin Novikow

VEX Robotics grades 7 and 8

1st place – JD Hogarth PS, Maxim, Julian, Cameron and Carter – coached by James Fielding
2nd place – Waverley Drive PS, Jonathan, Maxim, Dom and Brianna – coached by Michelle Steele
3rd place – Jean Little PS, Charlie, WIlliam, Christina and Seth – coached by Julia Foster

Construction Challenge grades 7 and 8

1st place – John McCrae PS, Jude, Devin, Ella and Felicia – coached by Rhys Bennett
2nd place – Waverley Drive PS, Margo, Luka, Kayla and Hudson – coached by Scott Caverly
3rd place – JD Hogarth, Noah, Mayelle, Faith and Cameron – coached by James Fielding

Green Energy grades 7 and 8

1st place – Rickson Ridge PS, Kerr, Avery, Rachel and Mohammad – coached by Mike Kumbhani
2nd place – Waverley Drive PS, Cole, Camryn, Simon and Tony – coached by Scott Caverly
3rd place – Mitchell Woods PS, Hayden, Shirley, Erum and Hyeda – Coached by Chris Murray

TV/Video Production grades 7 and 8

1st place – JD Hogarth PS, Erin and Jayda – coached by James Fielding
2nd place – Laurelwoods ES, Hope and Emily – coached by Chris Johnson and Adam Gertzbein
3rd Place – East Garafraxa PS, Carson and Noah – coached by Shane Mead

Health and Safety grades 7 and 8

1st place – Primrose ES, Grace and Kallyn – coached by Michael Benotto
2nd place – Willow Road PS, Melanie and Vivienne – coached by Shannen Walker
3rd place – Arthur PS, Taylor and Mady – coached by Jamie Cox

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Regional Skills Competition, to our winners and to those advancing to the Provincial Skills Competition in May.