Press Release
On Friday, 25th October 2013, four students from Unicom Primary won the annual SAASTA AstroQuiz. Under the guidance of their Natural Science Educator, Susan Usher, The University of the Free State and Boyden Observatory as well their NS LearningFacilitator, Carmen Henecke.
The winning team consisted of four Grade 7 learners from Unicom Primary School all aged 13 namely, MbotywaseMafreka from Excelsior, ThabisoMphalasi from Botshabelo, BoitumeloMokoena and KagishoMotale also from Botshabelo.
The team was selected by the school. All Grade 7 learners were welcomed to write a quiz and the four best learners participated in the first round that took place in ThabaNchu, Unicom achieved a 4th place. Thereafter, the team undertook a second quiz at the University of the Free State where they achieved 8th place. The semi finals took place at Boyden Observatory where Unicom achieved 2nd place.
The Free State finals also took place at Boyden where Unicom achieved 1st place, thus qualifying for the nationals.
Their Educator, Susan Usher, undertook training the team, students were trained for an hour every day, each day they were given thirty questions to prepare and all leaners had an Astronomy booklet to complete.
The AstroQuiz consists of a range of questions from planets and the universe to general knowledge and history.
At an assembly held at the school, the principal Lizette Von Mollendorf reminded learners of the school that “hard work and dedication pays off”. Learners were also reminded that they should follow their dreams.
Each learner won a Samsung tablet and they won a telescope for the school.
Press release compiled by: Lizette Von Mollendorf
Unicom is a primary school situated in the rural area, Tweespruit. Unicom currently has 882 learners from the surrounding areas.
