SCHOOL NEWS

2021 MCKINNON MODEL UN

On Thursday 20 May, 60 students and their teachers from Dromana Secondary College, Glen Eira College, Keysborough College, Kilbreda College, Melton Secondary College and Shelford Girls Grammar joined 60 of our students from Years 9 to 12 to participate in the 2021 McKinnon Model UN. 

This year’s topic ‘Rewrite the Future: Quality Education for All’ offered students an opportunity to learn about international relations, the UN system and important global issues, in an engaging, dynamic environment, while developing negotiation and public speaking skills.

This event, which was delivered by the UNAA Victoria in partnership with McKinnon Secondary, is a creative simulation of the United Nations General Assembly in which students represent Member States of the UN. In teams of 3 or 4, students step into the shoes of country ambassadors and draw on negotiation and diplomacy skills to ensure the views of their country are heard. Students interacted with delegates from other schools during the caucus sessions, presented their country’s position to the General Assembly and moved amendments to the clauses to pass a UN Resolution.

It was very rewarding to see students research, discuss, negotiate and cooperate on a simulated ‘world stage’ and there was definitely evidence of an inspiring future generation to shape a better future. 

Congratulations to all participating students and schools which made this event an enjoyable and enriching learning experience for all. 

THANK YOU FROM UNAAV

We wanted to thank you all for bringing your students along to what was our first time running an in-person Model UN since early 2020. And what a great day it was to return to face to face debate and collaboration. Thank you to Andrea Fowler for always organising and hosting such a fantastic community day and most importantly thank you to the students who engaged in the issue so vigorously on the day.

I have attached the resolution passed on the day for you to share with your students.

Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2022. And I will let you all know about other Model UNs that are running in your area later this year.

Dr Sally Northfield || Education Program Manager

United Nations Association of Australia (Victorian Division)

The RESOLUTION passed on the day

Andrea Fowler

Model UN organizer

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Last year some Year 8 girls got the opportunity to participate in the Cricket Victoria Girls Leadership Program. We all finished an online forum containing six modules which we had to expand on about our leadership skills and journey. The program also included joining an online call with Bobby Macumber, a Melbourne based comedian among other things. After completing this program we received a certificate and an invitation to a breakfast along with other girls from around the state.

Accepting the invitation, on Tuesday 18 May we set off to Junction Oval, City Power Centre in St Kilda where we were greeted by the lovely staff. After a nice introduction with Bobby herself we indulged in a lovely breakfast which included croissants, fruit and many other filling treats and quiches. Following the meal we had insightful discussions with the three guest panelists; Isobel Anstey a basketballer who recently got a scholarship to play college basketball for UCLA, Sophie Day and Kim Garth who are both cricketers who play for Victoria Spirit and are in the WBBL. 

We all arrived nervously but soon felt comfortable enough to talk to some other girls. Overall we had a really great day. 

We would like to thank Cricket Victoria for hosting this forum and we would also like to thank Ms Weiss for organising this event and coming along for this wonderful day.

Jooyeon Ji, Sooyeon Ji, Mia Cashmore & Katelyn Nguyen

Year 8 Students