Thirty-four school teams across Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE), representing a broad community spirit that stretches to suburbs like Manly, traded textbooks for tactics in a massive strategy-based video game competition that proved gaming is a serious pathway to developing career skills.
The BCE Minecraft Esports Gala Day, a two-day event held on November 6 and 7, saw students from primary and secondary schools gather at San Sisto College in Carina. The challenge was ‘Capture the Flag’, played within the controlled environment of Minecraft Education. Students did not rely on chance; they used pure intellectual effort and teamwork to capture flags before the time limit expired.
Esports: The New Classroom
The competition was managed by The FUSE Cup, an organisation that focuses on fostering positive gaming habits and digital citizenship in schools.
BCE’s involvement in Esports demonstrates a clear commitment to modern learning. A Senior Advisor for Learning and Experience at BCE, Ange Barton, noted that the students did not simply turn up to play; they had been practising and strategising their game plans for months. Ms Barton emphasised that competitive gaming offers students the chance to explore skills vital to the modern global industry, including leadership and strategic direction.
BCE believes that its 77,000 students have varied interests, and Esports provides a valuable opportunity, just like other whole-of-system competitions such as Rugby 7’s and STEM MAD (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Making a Difference). The event was focused on developing future-focused skills in areas like strategy, problem-solving, negotiation, and teamwork, preparing students for an ever-changing professional world.
Safe, Social, and Supportive
The competition distinguished itself from typical online gaming by promoting healthy gaming habits. A key difference was that students competed against others who were physically present in the same room, rather than opponents playing online from unknown locations.
Ms Barton stressed that this in-person, controlled environment ensures the competition is safe, structured, supervised, supportive, social, inclusive, and values-focused.
The FUSE Cup’s Chief Operating Officer, Dan Martinez, supported this philosophy, confirming that their competitions are designed to be safe, structured, and values-focused to support young students’ wellbeing while they participate in competitive school-based activities.
A Year 11 student from San Sisto College named Caitlain said the competition was a great chance to represent her school in a fun manner. She explained that she got to learn new things and compete against real people, highlighting the social and competitive advantages of the format.
Community Teams Engage
Thirty-four teams participated in the inaugural event. Day one featured primary school teams, including All Saint’s Primary School (Albany Creek), St Mary MacKillop Primary School (Birkdale), and Our Lady of Assumption School (Enoggera).
Day two involved secondary colleges such as Carmel College (Thornlands), St Columban’s College (Caboolture), Trinity College (Beenleigh), and the host, San Sisto College (Carina). The broad representation across the system cemented the competition as a vibrant community event celebrating diverse student talents.
Published Date 19-November-2025
