Open Day
Once again it was lovely to see the enthusiasm for Chess at our Open Day. Our Giant Chess Set was a big hit with young and old and the stage was busy with current Club Members, Alumni and Chess playing parents and family. Thanks so much to the parents and childen who helped me to set up and pack away the tables and boards.
Winner of the Chess Raffle
We had a lovely basket of Chess Goodies which we raffled off at Open Day with 3 different books for varying levels of player as well as a Chess Set, lollies and a Beanie Boo named Nellie. The winner was Eliott S from year 4 and I hope his little brother Jules in year 3 will enjoy it too.
Primary School’s Competition
This competition is entering its 5th round this week with a Home game. We have 4 teams competing, two in Championship Grade, one in Rookie Grade and one in Junior Rookies (K-3) The children are really enjoying themselves. We are having a strong showing in all of the Grades thus far and I am looking forward to reporting out Results in a few weeks. The Championship and Rookie Grades will play 7 Rounds in total and the Junior Rookies will play 9. JCS A are 11/16 after 4 rounds, which has us in 2nd place to Mona Vale A. JCS B are 10/16 and currently tied for 3rd place with Mona Vale B. JCS C are 12/16 tied for 1st with Mona Vale C. JCS D are currently in 1st place with 12.5/16. We would not be able to participate in the compeition without the support of the School for our Home games and the wonderful parents who volunteer to drive and supervise teams for our Away games. I am also very excited to have recently enlisted the assistance of our Chess Player Of The Year 2014, Ryan B, who is in Year 8 at Knox Grammar to assist us with our Home games
External Tournaments
Fees for entry into any external Chess Tournament as well as membership of the NSW Junior Chess League will be reimbursed for current Chess Club members by the Club – email Clare at accts.jcchessclub@gmail.com
Pymble Saturday Fun Tournament
In April and again in May, John Colet was represented by a contingent of children from the Club at this event, which is run by the Sydney Academy of Chess on the last Saturday of each Month. The standard of competition is quite high in the top half and I am very impressed by the results of the children. It is wonderful Tournament experience for the children and it really spurs their interest in Chess. In April Daniel S came 3rd and in May Thomas J came 5th. The next one is on Saturday the 25th of June.
Upcoming Northern Beaches Chess Challenge
Excitingly, the Sydney Academy of Chess has recently announced that they will host a Northern Beaches Chess Challenge at Forestville on Saturday 9 July during the School Holidays. I am hoping for a good JCS turn out. Both the Pymble and Forestville Tournaments count towards children’s official NSW Junior Chess League Ratings.
Chess Club Protocol
I have been working with the School to write the above document to explain the purpose of the Club as well as how it is organised and run and related policies. I will put a copy of the recently finalised document on the Club’s Closed Facebook Group “John Colet School Chess Club” and anyone that would like a copy can email me on JohnColetChessClub@gmail.com
Yours in Chess,
Simone P
