Gifted Education Program
Writing Competition Results
IEUA Literary Award 2020 (Qld and NT) – Senior Division, Non-fiction Prose
1st Place – Benjamin Roden-Cohen 12H – “The Orwellian Playbook”
RSL Origins of Remembrance Day Writing Competition (MCA Year 6 students)
1st Place – “The Boat Home” Eli Briza 6W
2nd Place – “Remembrance Day” James O’Rielley 6V
3rd Place – “Remembrance Day Poem” – Blake Mahoney 6V
Left to right: James O’Rielley, Blake Mahoney and Eli Briza.
Middle School Ethics Olympiad
On Friday 13 November, two teams of students in Years 7-9 participated, via Zoom, in the Middle School Ethics Olympiad. These boys discussed various scenarios with other students from across Australia and NZ in an attempt to clarify their own opinions and to assist each other in developing a better understanding of the ethical implications of the situation.
Watched by philosophers from all over the world – some in Canada, South America, NZ and New York to name a few, the students were rated on their ability to rationalise, question, summarise and evaluate the different opinions and discussions. Though neither of our teams placed in the top three, they both received Honourable Mentions from the judges, which effectively placed them within the top ten.
Year 9 team: Archie Bathe 9H, Braden Gettliffe 9F, Isaac Lynn 9G, Matthew O’Keeffe 9G.
Year 8/9 team: Joseph Lewis 9F, Alex Apelt 8D, Daniel Cusack 8G, Harrison Dyer 8D, Jack Lowe 8S.
Facilitator: Mr Jamie Brake
Sincere thanks to Jamie for his dedication to the MCA Philosophy Program since the beginning of 2016. As Jamie is now commencing full-time employment, he is unable to continue working within the program. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the College, to wish him well for his future endeavours.
Australian Association of Philosophers' Philosothon
During the September holidays, seven students participated in the Australasian Association of Philosophers’ Philosothon. This is an invitational event for students from Australia and NZ. Our seven students acquitted themselves very well, and Joseph Lewis 9F received 2nd place in the Most Promising Philosopher of the Future in the Year 9 category.
Joseph Lewis 9F receiving his award from Peter McLoughlin
The Team
Back Row: (left to right) Isaac Lynn 9G, Daniel Lynn 11G, Joseph Lewis 9F, Leo Barbieri-Yates 11S, Archie Bathe 9H
Front Row: Jamie Brake (Facilitator) and Mimi Ruiz 12I.
Queensland High School Esports League
Grand Final Results
- 1st Place – Rocket League: Joshua Crook 12F, Nicholas Nucifora 12R, Nicholas Snow 12F;
- 1st Place – Overwatch: Connor Armstrong 12E, Ziggy Cooney 12D, Blake Iacopetta 12E, Pascal Mulders 12H, Harry Skinner 12D, Wilson Wong 12F;
- 4th Place – League of Legends: Dan Borbor 12F, Joseph Clarke 12G, Dominic Heron 12D, Jack Holland 12F, Clancy Kuiters 12R.
A number of other students competed during the year, and it was their success that contributed to our qualification for the Grand Final. I would like to acknowledge these students who formed the basis of our League of Legends team throughout the year: Harry Clarke 12G, Alex Corbett 12G, Sam Dalton 12G, Harry Downs 12G, Nat Purcell 12G, Christopher Strathearn 12G. Thanks also to our chief supporter and reserve Will Cruickshank 12F.
There are many elements to the QHSEL program, specifically a focus on the 4 Rs – Respect, Resilience, Responsibility and Reasoning. Pascal Mulders won the ‘Responsibility’ award on Saturday, as well as being named the MVP for our team. The Anglican Schools Commission runs the program, utilising the state-of-the-art facilities at QUT. As well as being involved in the playing of the games, students meet at QUT to experience a sense of community; often gamers are seen as individuals, but this is often not the case, and it is important to give players the opportunity to meet others with the same interests. While at QUT, students are encouraged to ‘cast’ or commentate on the games being played. Students work together in commentary and the feed is broadcast to all who log in to watch. Many of our students have taken up this opportunity. Additionally, throughout the competition days, there are a number of advertisements developed by students, that focus on gaming health – postural, nutritional and mental. Online security is also addressed.
The QHSEL has been operating for a couple of years, but 2020 was the first time that Ashgrove has participated and I thank Pascal Mulders for his enthusiasm in organising the teams and liaising with the organisers throughout the year. One of the bonuses of the program is the opportunity for high-school students to meet QUT students and to have access to scholarships that the university offers in this field.
We certainly made our mark and we look forward to our involvement in the program in 2021.