Debating Finalists

Claire Hatchman - Head of Student Engagement & Activities

We were so proud to announce that FIVE of our debating teams made it to the Queensland Debating Union finals. To get to this stage means that teams have to have won a majority of their debates in the regular season. All of our teams performed exceptionally well with 10.1, 9.1, 8.1 & 8.2 all winning their first round of debates. 10.2 should also be congratulated as it was their first year as a team and they put up a great fight in their first finals experience.

Round 2 saw our teams step up in a short preparation round, always filled with more nerves and stress than a prepared speech. Unfortunately, we saw no survivors with each of our finalists taking a loss in Round 2. These teams still spoke exceptionally well and learnt a lot from this experience.

Thank you to Ms Bradford, Ms Evans and Ms McDonald for helping with supervision of these debates throughout the finals – as well as all our teachers who helped out at some point throughout the season. We will be back in 2025!

Model UN National Conference

We are thrilled to recount our remarkable experience at the UN Youth Australia National Conference in Brisbane, held from the 3rd to 8th of July, 2024. As Year 10 students, being chosen to represent Queensland at this prestigious event was an incredible opportunity and an inspiring milestone in our journey.

The conference assembled 80 high-achieving students from across Australia and New Zealand, all in years 10 to 12. For us, as Year 10 participants, it was both validating and exciting to be involved in such a high-level discussion at this early stage of our involvement in UN Youth Australia and international relations.

One of the standout moments of the conference was our debate in the Queensland Parliament Chamber. Engaging in this formal and impactful setting allowed us to experience firsthand the dynamics of political discourse and policy-making. It was a unique opportunity to express our views and understand the complexities of governance and legislative processes and sometimes to get people to agree with you!

The workshops, held at the University of Queensland, were another highlight of our experience. These sessions were immersive and highly educational, providing us with a deeper understanding of the conference's central theme, "Critical Technologies in a Critical Time." We explored how emerging technologies such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, and autonomous robots affect economic, security, environmental, and social aspects of society. The workshops challenged us to think critically about the benefits and potential risks of these technologies and their implications for the future.

We also had the privilege of engaging with key representatives, including the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations and UNICEF Australia. These interactions were particularly enlightening as we discussed the most pressing issues that concern young people today. Some of the key issues we addressed included:

Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: We explored how climate change is impacting our planet and discussed strategies for promoting environmental sustainability and mitigating the effects of global warming.
Mental Health and Well-being: We examined the challenges surrounding mental health among youth and discussed the importance of mental health support and resources.
Educational Inequality: We addressed disparities in educational opportunities and resources, emphasizing the need for more equitable access to quality education.
Technology and Privacy: We discussed the implications of technological advancements on privacy and security, highlighting the need for responsible use and regulation of emerging technologies.

Overall, the conference was a transformative experience for us. It provided us with valuable insights into global issues, allowed us to develop our advocacy skills, and connected us with a network of passionate and driven individuals. We can’t wait to bring our newfound knowledge of Model United Nations back to Mount Alvernia and continue to advocate for global issues within our community. We are excited to apply what we've learned and contribute to making a positive impact.

Senior English Speaking Union Public Speaking Competition

Mount Alvernia students Amaeh (Year 11) and Charlotte (Year 12) excelled at the recent ESU public speaking event, addressing Barack Obama's quote: "Just Because We Have the Best Hammer Does Not Mean That Every Problem Is a Nail."

Charlotte emphasised the need for adaptable problem-solving, delivering her insights with confidence and clarity. Amaeh connected the quote to personal decisions and choices that we make along our journey, impressing the adjudicators with her eloquence and depth.

Congratulations to both speakers for their remarkable performances. Special commendation to Amaeh, who advances to the grand finals in August, showcasing her exceptional public speaking talents.

State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP)

During the last week of my holidays, I had the honour of experiencing and performing in Brisbane’s SHEP. When I was nominated last term to participate in SHEP I was beyond excited, especially when I learnt I was accepted into the program. For quite a while now, Griffith University has been in partnership with schools across Queensland to connect young musicians with a team of highly trained and professional conductors, musicians and university Arts students – so when I was told I had been nominated, I was a bit nervous for what repertoire we were going to cover.

The program I was placed in was the Year 7- 10 vocal ensemble which was held from Friday to Sunday (when we had our performance). When I first arrived at rehearsals, I was met with a bunch of other young musicians who were equally thrilled to learn our scores and have a wonderful time. Overall, the ensemble I was in learnt 7 songs ranging from Australian classics like Waltzing Matilda to songs in different languages – Oye La Musica – which funnily enough, the school choir has been learning. During the process of learning the scores, we were taught by two professional musicians: Kate our conductor and John our piano accompanist.

Across the 3 days I was at SHEP, I was able to meet lovely people from all over Brisbane and even from the Gold Coast. Saturday was by far the largest and most gruelling day as it included an 8-hour rehearsal with the aim to memorise and learn all 7 songs and choreograph. In the middle of the rehearsal, we were able to create music that sounded amazing and find our vibe after signing with each other for a short amount of time.

Once we arrived on stage, I felt a bunch of nerves and excitement before we could present our 5 chosen songs - Eye of the Needle, Ordinary Miracles, Waltzing Matilda, Feed the Birds and Oye La Musica. When we were performing, the entire choir felt very in sync and beautiful. My favourite part of the performance was when the Year 10’s got to sing the solo for Ordinary Miracles and sing Feed the Birds.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend the Brisbane SHEP this year, and I can’t wait to continue my choir journey (in the September holidays I will perform with Queensland SHEP).

Mt A Community Cookbook