Clipsal is MY Classroom

“The opportunity to work with Luigi de Luca from CAMS, to see the cars in the pits, watch them race and then place the data in application is unique at this level.

The commitment of the Touring Car Masters enables us to deliver curriculum in a manner which is naturally of interest to boys”.

Dr Paula Mills, Programs Manager, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

The Clipsal 500 provides students across the College the opportunity to investigate components of machinery and mechanics as well as scientific principles.

In 2011 approximately 420 students from the Early Learning Centre to Year 11 attended the Clipsal 500, with more than 320 students engaged in active classrooms both trackside and at School as part of their learning.

The Touring Car Masters extended their community program across the College, conducting classroom sessions at the track and at Princes for the Reception and Multi level boys, while also working with Year 11 students studying Physics in the International Baccalaureate Diploma to discover first-hand how fuel integrity changes the performance of engines. While the Reception boys were investigating how transport has changed our lives with Keith Kassulke, George Nittis and Tony Karanfilovski; the Year 11s were gaining an appreciation into the thermodynamics of engines as well as discovering that recording and analysing real data from dynamic systems can be a challenge.

Year 2 classes examined how car design is constantly evolving in response to human requirements and desires. Excursions to the Motor Museum, visitors to Princes with their historic vehicles, and a visit to the Aussie Racing Cars and the Metropolitan Fire Service at Clipsal culminated in the infamous Princes 500 step-in-car race complete with racing and service vehicles from almost every era.

Team Vodafone hosted the Year 3s as they investigated the scientific principles used to create machines that impact on our lives and environment. The opportunity to have champions Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes explain the fundamentals of the machines within their driving machines was a thrill for students and parents alike!

The 3/4 R classroom had a busy time leading into Clipsal with their widespread investigation into simple mechanical principles. Classrooms conducted by former Princes parent and Communication Marshall, John Silverblade, V8 Ute champion Gary Baxter, and a panel from the Touring Car Masters including Adelaide’s own Amanda Sparks and Bob Middleton, seven time Bathurst winner Jim Richards, Alastair MacLean, and 2008, 2009 series winner Gavin Bullas, provided unique instruction as to which tools should be used in what application – and what tools need to be procured from Dad as boys establish their own collections!

The opportunity to visit Australia’s youngest V8 Supercar team owner was one not to be missed by the Year 4 classes. The inspirational Lucas Dumbrell and driver Warren Luff of Gulf Western Oil welcomed the boys and shared how Lucas – a former Formula Ford driver – became a quadriplegic after an horrific accident at Oran Park in 2008.

Now an ambitious team owner, Lucas achieves his dreams through his team.

In keeping with our commitment to deliver curriculum that is relevant and engaging to boys, Princes introduced the eduKART program to all Year 8 students in 2011.

The eduKART Program delivers a hands on made-for-boys experience designed to connect curriculum to the building, testing and driving of electric powered go-karts.

In preparation for the unit, the boys attended a number of pits on Clipsal Thursday including; old scholars Craig and Mark Rundle and Team BRM with their Formula Fords, V8 Supercar Driver Paul Dumbrell from Team Bottle-O, Lucas Dumbrell of Gulf Western Oil Racing and TEAM BOC and Fair Dinkum Sheds’ Brad Jones and Graham Sattler.

The unique opportunity to discover the machinations behind each of these elite racing operations was not missed by the students, many whom later returned to the track to spectate as the weekend unfolded. Clipsal is MY Classroom delivers unique opportunities for all students, and we thank SA Motorsport, the Clipsal 500, V8 Supercars and all categories and teams for their support.