From the Principal 

In a little over a week’s time a contingent of eleven Year 10-12 students will travel with me, Tim Cameron and Valetta Bolton to the Yale Model UN Europe conference in Brussels, Belgium. The conference emulates the workings of the real UN and tasks students with representing their assigned country on two key issues facing the world community today. Students need to research both their country and their issue, and then prepare a series of papers, propositions, resolutions and speeches to deliver in the sessions of the UN. 

The issues that students will be considering are complex and difficult. Students will consider everything from The Weaponization of the Cyberspace to The Prevention of Illicit Firearms Trafficking, from Protection of Children and Women in Conflict Zones to The Management of Transboundary Aquifers.

So, why on earth would a student sign up to spend so long cramped on an airplane, or give themselves so much extra homework? Partly they will be thinking of the experience of conversing and arguing with some of the best young minds from around the world, partly they will be thinking of the researching, writing and speaking skills that will benefit them long term. However, I also like to think that they liked the idea of the difficulty and discomfort; that the challenge was appealing because it is so challenging. I’m looking forward to watching on as students represent their assigned countries, but also our school. Well done to them for taking up this challenge.