The goal of the Mayoral Academic Challenge is to be a catalyst for assisting local primary schools with funds for much needed equipment and their various projects and to promote the innovative abilities of our children and the excellent education facilities that are in the Cessnock Local Government Area.   

It is our goal to have as many students as possible standing in front of the doors of opportunity that lead to successful outcomes.

The Challenge has been running since 2006. 

Sponsors involved with the Challenge have an opportunity to promote their image in supporting young people to advance in their education through their early and informative years.

Details of the Challenge

• Individual schools determine their teams consisting of three students from each school.
• A series of heats, semi-finals and finals determining the final winners ie 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
• General knowledge questions appropriate to students of 10-12 years old from areas of entertainment, Australiana, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, maths, science, the world, sport and leisure, technology and general knowledge.
• Since the inception of the Challenge in 2006, ten primary schools and one High School have been assisted financially.
• The Challenge is open to all schools in the Cessnock Local Government Area and the prizes can vary ie 1st, 2nd and 3rd money to be determined depending on sponsorship.
• In 2007, an extra dimension was added to the Challenge with the Primary Schools' winning team competing with a Year 10 winning team from the four local High Schools.  The Primary School was the overall winner.

Many thanks to our valuable sponsors for the 2012 Challenge

• Cessnock Achievement Centre
• Cessnock Ex-Services Club
• DLW Corporate Services
• Hunter Resource Recovery
• Rover Motors Pty Ltd

For further information please contact Pauline Ross on 4993 4210 or pauline.ross@cessnock.nsw.gov.au