Some Academic Highlights 

Gifted and Talented Program Students Attend Junior Academy Conference

Dee Broughton, Gifted and Talented Coordinator

Having taken a group of senior students to the Julie Arliss Academy Conference earlier in the year and seeing just how rewarding the day was for them, I had the opportunity and pleasure of taking a group of Year 7 students to the Junior Academy Conference, this time at Siena College.

The conference is philosophy-based and involves university style lectures, suited to students of high ability as the subject matter presented is both complex and rigorous.

The first session centered on consciousness. Academic, Julie Arliss, explored the way consciousness is measured in animals and humans and the way philosophers have approached consciousness, primarily Plato and Aristotle. The students found this lecture most interesting and thought-provoking.

The second session was an interactive session, set up as a ‘Community of Inquiry’, a philosophical process of sharing ideas. The students had the opportunity to discuss with students from other schools whether 'self-sacrifice is ever reasonable’. This pushed many of our students outside their comfort zones, while Aiden Hosmer courageously shared his considered opinion with the whole room. Well done, Aiden!

There was also a lecture on the science of Nanotechnology, which piqued the interest of some of our keen science students. Fnally, students were treated to a lively debate proposing ‘that Science has replaced God’.

Students were also asked to participate if they wished and Kilvington was well-represented, having Peter Wang, Casey Watt-Calder, David Overton and Hamish Bruce all speaking with clarity and passion on the topic.

It was a proud moment for both Mrs Laura Tough and I, who attended the conference with the students.

Julie Arliss Academy Conferences have proven to be an excellent addition to the opportunities provided to our Gifted and Talented students at Kilvington, and we are sure to enthusiastically attend both Junior and Senior conferences next year!

Australian Maths Competition 

Lizzie Bush, Junior School Enrichment and IT Teacher

Recently, Years 3 to 6 Maths Enrichment Students participated in the Australian Maths Competition. Students worked hard to solve 30 challenging problems designed to test their mathematical thinking. Our students received some excellent results which included:

• 72% of Year 3 and 4 students received a Distinction or higher
• 100% of Year 3 students were above the 90th percentile
• 85% of all Maths Enrichment students received a Credit or higher
• 33% of students achieved above the 90th percentile
• All students received Proficient or higher (no participations awarded)

Well done to Henry Hu, Yash Kapoor and Chloe Mouchacca who received High Distinctions. Congratulations to all students for their wonderful efforts!

Debating Playoff Win! 

Clare Mackie, Debating Coordinator 

Kilvington's B Grade Team were victorious recently in the final Debating Playoff, meaning they have made the October Finals.

This is the most successful team Kilvington has fielded in Debating since my time coordinating, highlighting the strength and dedication of the students involved.

Kaitlyn Truong, Josh Boghikian and Elisabeth Yeo, pictured below, argued the negative side of the debate: 'There should be a mandatory jail term for white collar criminals'. Elisabeth Yeo was further recognised as the best speaker of the debate.

I hope you will join me in congratulating these students if you see them, and wish them luck as they compete next month as one of the top 16 teams in the state, vying for a spot in the quarter finals!

Melbourne Press Club's 'Fake News Fightback'

by Beatrice Hendy, Year 12

On Tuesday August 29, Year 11 and 12 Media students attended the Melbourne Press Club's 'Fake News Fightback'. 

In his introduction, Melbourne Press Club CEO, Mark Baker, thanked Kilvington staff and students for attending, and acknowledged the connection Press Club had with Kilvington board member, the late John Allin.

US reporters, Tonya Mosley and Aaron Glantz, spoke regarding President Donald Trump's obsession with 'fake news'. 

Noah Dixon-Sole in Year 12 asked an intriguing question regarding whether fake news could infiltrate Australia. This was discussed and concluded with an interesting response which benefited all students.

Our experience is one we will not forget and would like to thank our teacher, Mrs Whitfield, for taking us to this event.

Kilvington Writers Festival Awards

Congratulations to the winners of the Kilvington Writers Festival Awards. Author, activist and journalist, Tasneem Chopra, attended and spoke brilliantly on 'courage', the theme of the writing competition.

Well done to to the winners: Arhan B (Y7), William D (Y9), Gemma W (Y11) and John Knapp, Staff.

And to the Highly Commended: Melissa D (Y7), Jesse T (Y9), Lauren R (Y12) and Belinda Cupples, Staff.