Mount Stromlo High School students spent much of October playing computer games.
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However, rather than the games being a distraction, the students have been working on their literacy, numeracy and scientific knowledge.
Those efforts have paid off. Mount Stromlo has been named the top Australian school for years 8, 9 and 10 at the World Education Games.
The school also came second in the country in the year 7 category, while students Tim Cooper, Tim Loft and Aedan Jason came 53rd, 84th and 85th, respectively, in the world in the spelling component.
The trio joined almost 300 other students at the school in competing against 6 million counterparts from 159 countries between October 13 and 15.
Divided into three sections focusing on spelling, maths and science, the competition pitted students randomly against one another in real time as they answered as many questions as possible during the allotted period.
Aedan and Tim Loft said they most enjoyed science, while Tim Cooper favoured maths.
Having just started high school, the boys are still deciding on their careers.
However, Aedan is considering engineering and architecture.
"I've thought of it, but I haven't decided on anything," Tim Cooper said.
"I want to get a job that best uses my abilities."
Teacher Rod Grieve organised the school's participation in the games.
He said the intention was for students to focus on their goals rather than the overall competition.
"The idea is to encourage the students to do their best, get them to reach their personal best, and these three boys and many other students in the school achieved their personal bests during that time, which was great to see," he said.
"Some students went home and did a lot of it there."
Mount Stromlo's closest Australian competitors were Sandgate District State High School in Queensland, which came first in the country for year 7, and Robinvale P-12 College in Victoria.
Mount Stromlo principal Michael Kindler said the integration of digital learning helped the school boost spelling and mathematical and scientific knowledge.
"Now learning can be anywhere, any time, and that's kind of crossing the border of school hours from 9am to 3pm, and kids are taking advantage of that with remarkable results," Dr Kindler said.
"We are using software to improve student performance in national testing and international testing."
