Teaching and Learning
Great results in the National History Competition!
The Australian History Competition gives our capable historians the chance to shine at a national level. This year, our students have again done particularly well, with some outstanding individual results and the school’s average across the board above the state and national averages. We congratulate all the students for their efforts; they should be proud of themselves.
For several years, Year 7 and 8 students have sat the same paper, while Year 9 and 10 students have sat a Year 10-based paper. Each year level was graded differently, taking into account what students have covered in their year-level curriculum within the school environment. This year’s results showed an overall growth in skill set in the competition analysis.
The study of History extends far beyond facts or recall, and at the College we are dedicated to developing each student’s ability to apply critical and creative thinking, focusing on historical skills, including terms, concepts, chronology, knowledge, interpretation, contextualisation and source analysis.
National History Competition results:
High Distinction: Olivia Baulch, Matilda Drage, Jim Herrmann (Yr 8);
Distinction: Lewis Cay, Theo Horne, Henry Bufton, Hugo Cameron (Yr 7), Georgia Brown (Yr 8), Leila Robertson (Year 9), Hamish Brown, Henry Horne (Yr 10);
Credit: Patrick McDonald, Ed Whinney (Yr 7), Dylan Holt, Mi-Ha Kim, Annika Fitzsimmons (Yr 8), Hannah Young, Holly McGuigan, Ruby Rudge (Yr 9), Davi Costa Lima Barroso, Jack Gibson, Lucas Rouse (Yr 10); and
Merit: Chloe Holt, Tom Robertson (Yr 7); Poppy Edgar, Finn Hawthorne, Ada O’Brien (Yr 8); Ebony Leishman (Yr 9); Mackenzie Ker, George Prosser (Yr 10).
Along with other participants, some of these students will receive their certificates in a House meeting; some will receive them in an upcoming assembly.
Congratulations to all the participants, who did a marvellous job. The skills of History are vital in many other subjects also, and the History Faculty plays an integral role in working with students to develop their analytical and academic abilities at a whole-school level.
Jody Ogle
Head of History & Humanities
Students vs Staff: Who Really Has It Easier?
It was students versus staff — but with a twist!
In a lively College debate on the motion “Kids today have it easier than previous generations,” both sides were challenged to argue from a perspective very different from their own.
The students argued FOR the motion, channelling their inner “back in my day” and making the case that young people today benefit from greater access to information, online banking, more flexible learning, increased comforts and a very different approach to discipline than generations before them.
Meanwhile, the staff argued AGAINST the motion, stepping into the shoes of today's students to argue that growing up in 2026 comes with its own unique pressures. Their case explored the realities of social media and constant connectivity, academic and exam competition, cyberbullying and online scrutiny.
The role reversal led to plenty of humour, spirited arguments, and some surprisingly persuasive points from both sides.
Beyond the laughs, the debate encouraged students and staff alike to consider how experiences differ between generations — and perhaps appreciate that while the challenges may have changed, every generation has its own version of “doing it tough.”
Watch the recording below and decide for yourself: do kids today really have it easier?
Click here to watch.
Click here to watch.