Just Dance to victory

Perth primary school students are winners in a sports competition with a difference.

Calista Primary School and Eden Hill Primary School students both experienced success at the national FUSE Cup e-sports competition in Queensland.

The FUSE Cup involved school students competing against others from schools across Australia in a range of video games including Just Dance, Mario Kart, and Rocket League.

It allowed students to highlight their gaming skills, connect with industry experts, learn about career opportunities and digital wellbeing, and interact with their peers.

Calista Primary School Year 6 student Jireh Caranay was crowned Australia's National Champion in the Just Dance primary school division.

In the team categories, Eden Hill Primary School placed second in Rocket League, while Calista Primary School placed third in Just Dance.

Jireh said he won a trophy, boom box speaker and a Mario lamp.

“I enjoyed the trip as a whole and everything that happened on it,” he said.

“It’s probably maybe three to four years where I have been playing since I got a Switch and I’m just happy that after this long that I’m actually doing something with it and that all my hard work paid off.”

Calista Primary School digital technologies specialist teacher Elaina Lam said she was proud of her students.

“As the STEAM and ICT coordinator at Calista Primary School, I am always on the lookout for exciting and fun ways to get students engaged in school through technologies,” she said.

“With the rise in e-sports and gaming online, the FUSE Cup gives teachers like me the opportunity to introduce online and competitive gaming in a safe and supported environment, as well as opening dialogue with students about how to be safe and respectful online.

“It also promotes digital wellbeing in students and allows an increase in positive online and gaming social interactions.

“We believe with the constantly evolving world around us, we need to set the students up for success in the 21st century.”