English News
City of Casey Fresh Words’ Competition
They all say every cloud has a silver lining. COVID-19 has affected all of us in some shape or form – yet, it has become a time for us to take care of ourselves. I felt waves of emotions at first. I wrote many poems and short stories about my surroundings and emotions. In the midst of the lockdown, I had become an aspiring author. I gave in my pieces to various online writing competitions. like the ‘VATE’ and ‘City of Casey Fresh Words’ competitions to get my writing known. It certainly was the first time an online event would happen; but we were all here, and we were living in the same moment. I was nervous at first, but the silver lining had appeared.
I was nominated a first place for my category. I was ecstatic – this was a new opportunity to showcase my poem in a digital way. Usually, there would have been an award ceremony held at Bunjil Place. Instead, the finalists were requested to record a video of their short story or poem, which would be showcased online. It was a revelation of absurdness, doing something that I had never happened before. Only recently, I received a parcel from the City of Casey – a certificate, voucher, and a booklet. I was pleased to see that there were two other finalists and winners from our school with beautiful forms of writing. This uncertain time and experience have both taught me something. COVID-19 has ignited my passion to write, but it has also given me a time to congratulate others, to spread this kindness and positivity around.
Jashan Suran
Year 9
Staff Vs Student Debate
The annual staff vs student debate is typically a lighthearted source of much-needed stress relief and is typically held as a whole school assembly in term 3.
This year, in a departure from tradition, it was held from home as a live whole school event, in another departure from tradition, the student team finally snagged a win this year! The team was composed of Eamon Sommerville, Mridul Garg and myself and we competed against a phenomenal staff team that included Doctor Schroor, Ms Winton and Mr Clarke. The topic debated was "it had become clear that survivalist courses must be taught in schools", staff were affirmative. Ms Banaag was chairperson and Elita Pinto, a returning student adjudicated the debate.
The typical banter was very entertaining for both the audience and for participants and though plenty of jokes about competence and capacity were exchanged, both teams raised amazing points and sophisticated cases that made the day even more interesting. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who put the effort in to ensure that this debate would go ahead, even under the circumstances that undoubtedly made it more difficult, in particular Ms Mackin who was incredible in running the event behind the scenes and the myriad of staff who worked hard, whether it be in writing speeches or in setting up the complex logistics that are behind every debate.
Prachi Beniwal
Year 12
House Debating 2020
Over the course of last week, the 2020 House Debating Competition drew the 4 houses together in a fierce bout for House spirit and bragging rights. Across topics ranging from teenage employment, space exploration and advertisements towards children, the representatives of each house stepped up to deliver stellar speeches tackling these issues. With the semi-finals spanning across Monday and Tuesday before the final on Friday, it was a spectacular week of speeches, rebuttals and difficult decisions for the judges. But once the smoke cleared on Friday, it was Phoenix house which rose from the ashes to win the competition.
The week began with a debate between Pegasus and Garuda on whether VCE students should look for employment or an internship to balance with their secondary studies. Although Pegasus presented a strong stance on the importance of early employment for the future, including the benefits obtained through soft skills learnt in the work force, Garuda’s nuanced consideration of students’ mental health and the realities of employment clinched them a win and earned them a spot in Friday’s debate. Likewise, Tuesday’s debate between Phoenix and Griffin was slightly more ambitious by questioning the importance of funding technology for future space exploration. In this debate, Phoenix’s grounded approach to modern issues and criticism of future investment trumped Griffin’s convincing projections of space travel in the years to come.
With that, Phoenix and Garuda faced off on Friday in an incredible debate which was a nail biter till the very end. The responsiveness and quick wit of both sides created fluent debate as Garuda attacked Phoenix’s defence of advertisements targeted towards children. After clashing over the ethics, effects and responsibility of such advertisements, Phoenix House ultimately lifted the cup. Overall, House Debating was fantastic and an extremely exciting program this year, which brought out the best in each house. With many of this year’s debaters being in years 11 and 10, the future of House debating and external competitions looks bright!
Joel Siaw
Year 11