Ultimate Classmates

Two Proserpine students were crowned winners in a national television show that pitted them against some of Australia’s brightest youngsters.

Using their brainpower, Proserpine State High School year 11 student Liam Stuchbree and year 12 student Mac Rogers teamed up to win the brand-new Channel 10 show ‘Ultimate Classroom’.

The challenge-based series saw the boys compete in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) test like no other. Facing 15 other Australian students, they built replica bridges, deciphered codes, flew drones, and solved puzzles to come out on top.

The pair kept their win a secret for three months after wrapping production and returning home to the Whitsundays.

“We had so many people asking us how we went and we just couldn’t say a thing. They kept trying to get it out of me,” Mac Rogers said.

“I think I convinced most of my friends that we did pretty badly. They were definitely surprised when they found out we won!”

Much of the show was filmed at Amberley Air Force Base with Defence Force personnel dictating the challenges, as well as maths teacher and YouTube star Eddie Woo – including the finale which saw the contestants attempt to complete a Bedlam Cube.

The solid dissection puzzle comprised of thirteen pieces has over 19 thousand distinct ways of being assembled into a cube. It took its creator almost two years to solve and acted as the shows final problem.

Liam and Mac solved it alongside their fellow pink team member to clinch the overall win.

“It was a lot of gambles that came together really well,” Liam Stuchbree said.

“It was an awesome experience and to win as well was amazing. The highlights had to be going for a ride at the end in some of these huge Air Force planes and as winners we received a laptop each and GoPros.”

The boys said, although there were some embarrassing moments watching the show back now, it was an incredible experience.

“It was really surreal filming all day for the challenge and then doing these ten-minute recaps at the end of the day where you pretend you’re in the moment,” Mac said.

“Watching it back, there were a few awkward parts we kind of wish they’d cut out, but it came together really well. Such a cool environment where we filmed in Screen Queensland Studios.”

The boys were unsure if they’d be called back in the future for an All-Star season of Ultimate Classroom, but they can be happy knowing they would forever be the debut Ultimate Classmates.

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Mac Rogers and Liam Stuchbree from Proserpine State High School won Channel 10’s Ultimate Classroom

Alongside 15 others, the boys competed in the national television series led by 1.6m subscriber YouTuber and maths teacher Eddie Woo, which aired from late September to early October