External Competitions

Throughout the year, students from Foundation – Year 12 are encouraged to participate in a wide range of external competitions across areas such as literacy, STEM, history, public speaking and the creative arts.

These opportunities are designed to extend learning beyond the classroom, challenge students to think critically and creatively, and allow them to explore their individual interests and talents.

Competitions are tailored to varying abilities and interests. Formats include writing pieces, research projects, video submissions, creative design challenges and online contests. Many are run nationally and provide students with the chance to engage with peers across Australia while developing valuable skills such as problem-solving, communication, collaboration and resilience.

Contact: Kate Wright – Head of Enrichment Programs

NOTE: For competitions that are now closed, dates for next year will be added as soon as they are available.

Term 1
Competition Link Description Age/Year Level Entry Details
Spooky Stories Writing Competition Respond to a prompt and write a spooky or horror story! • Youth: 12 and under (500 words)
• Open: aged 13+ (1000 words)		 Entries Close: 6 April 2026
Science Talent Search (STS) STS allows you to choose a category (including Posters, Creative Writing, Working Models, Games etc) and investigate a scientific topic. This competition develops your research and critical thinking skills. • Years 7 – 12 Registrations Open: 3 March 2026
Registrations Close: 25 May 2026
Submissions Open: 12 June 2026
Submissions Close: 27 July 2026
Australian Schools Sharemarket Game Students develop their knowledge of the share market, investing in real ASX listed companies. • Years 7 – 12 Game 1 Registrations Open: 12 February 2026
Game 1 Begins: 12 March 2026
Term 2
Competition Link Description Age/Year Level Entry Details
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards Write a poem on any topic (or write using the optional prompt, ‘The Traveller’). Poems should be 80 lines or less. • F – Year 12 Entries Open: 1 March 2026
Entries Close: 30 June 2026
What Matters Writing Competition Share what matters to you through an original written piece of 600 words or less. Entries may be fiction, non-fiction, persuasive writing, prose or poetry. • Years 5 – 12 Entries Close: 15 May 2026
The Parliament Prize (Public Speaking) Record a 90 second video responding to the question, ‘What would you say to Parliament if you were an MP?’ • Years 5 – 12 Entries Close: 12 June 2026
Australian History Competition Australia’s largest history competition! Students complete a multiple-choice paper in one hour. No extensive background knowledge of history is needed. Ideal for students who are interested in history and/or have strong reading comprehension skills. • Years 7 – 10 Registrations Close: 31 March 2026
Competition Dates: 25 May – 12 June 2026
Maths Talent Quest Students choose their own topic and complete a mathematical investigation. Projects typically take the whole term to complete. Resources are available on the website including rubrics. • Years 7 – 12 Projects Commence: Week 2 | Term 2
Term 3
Competition Link Description Age/Year Level Entry Details
National History Challenge Free research-based competition for Australian students. It gives students a chance to be historians, researching world history, examining Australia’s past, investigating their community or exploring their own roots. It emphasises and rewards quality research, the use of community resources and effective presentation. • F – Year 12 Registrations Open: 20 July 2026
Closes: 21 August 2026
Poem Forest Poetry Competition Draft your own poem linked to the theme of nature (maximum of 20 lines). • F – Year 12 Entries Close: 25 September 2026
Australian STEM Video Games Challenge Teams of 1 – 4 students design and develop a video game based on a given theme. Any coding platform can be used provided it is free for educational use. • Years 3 – 12 Registrations Close: 7 August 2026

Australian Maths Competition

Contact Maths Faculty:
Kristie Beames
kxb@mentonegrammar.net

 Australia’s largest maths competition. Students complete a multiple-choice test paper. • Years 3 – 12 Dates: 4 – 6 August 2026
Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee Students are challenged to spell 30 words as quickly and accurately as possible, using an online platform. • Years 3 – 8 Registrations Open: 20 July 2026
Closes: 21 August 2026
Kingston Storylines Writing Competition Write a short story of up to 500 words on the theme of your choice. Entrants must live, go to school, or play sport/recreation in the City of Kingston. • Aged 5 – 16 years Entries Open: 13 July 2026
Entries Close: 20 September 2026
Australian Schools Sharemarket Game Students develop their knowledge of the share market, investing in real ASX listed companies. • Years 7 – 12 Game 2 Registrations Open: 16 July – 24 September 2026
Game 2: 13 August – 22 October 2026