eSports. St Dominics Newcastle kicks off eSports with a high-energy Interhouse LAN showdown.

St Dominics Newcastle has officially entered the digital arena with the exhilarating launch of its eSports programme, marking a bold leap into the future of education. In a ground-breaking move that blends competitive gaming with 21st-century learning, the school hosted its first-ever Interhouse LAN event on campus on 10 May – and the energy was electric!

The event, held at the vibrant Douthwaite Centre, brought together around 50 enthusiastic learners. They battled it out across popular titles like Minecraft Battle-Build, Rocket League, Valorant, and Fortnite. Far more than just a gaming session, the tournament was a celebration of strategic thinking, teamwork, creativity, and innovation.

LAN atmosphere

From the buzz of controllers to the cheers of classmates, the LAN atmosphere was alive with excitement as learners showcased not only their gaming prowess but also their ability to work collaboratively, solve problems on the fly, and communicate under pressure – all critical skills in today’s digital world.

Adding a special touch to the day were Magdeleen de Kock and Sherylee McBride from the Curro Sports team, who also travelled all the way from Johannesburg to support the event. Their presence highlighted the national significance of eSports in schools and the growing support for digital co-curricular programmes.

“This event has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Executive Head, Mrs Shirley McGhee. “It’s more than just games – it’s a gateway to digital confidence, leadership, and new career paths. We’re incredibly proud of every learner who took part.”

And the winners are…

U/13 Minecraft: Nirvikar Ramlucken, Kungawo Matiwana, and Phindile Ngcashi
U/12 Minecraft: Nabeela Seedat (absent from photo), Aarav Siveraj, and Mbusi Magudulela
U/16 Minecraft: Shriyaal Siveraj, Jason Fan, and Tony Chen
Valorant Champions: Tony Chen and Jason Fan
Rocket League Champions: Shahmeer Badloo, Kopano Ntsebeza, and Tshiamo Coka
Fortnite (U/13 & U/16):

(Back row) Melo Dlamini and Lwandile Thwala

(Front row) Ayalinda Xintolo, Vukile Cebekhulu, Tshiamo Coka, and Shahmeer Badloo.

Every winner walked away with more than just bragging rights; they gained confidence, experience, and a front-row seat to the future of school-based eSports.

As St Dominics Newcastle looks ahead, this successful launch signals the start of many more on-campus LAN tournaments and the exciting development of a fully-fledged eSports programme.

The message is clear: learning at St Dominics is no longer limited to the classroom. Whether coding, building, competing, or collaborating, our learners are being equipped with the skills they need to thrive in a fast-paced, digital-first world.

This is just the beginning. The future of learning is here – and it’s powered by play.