Student achievements

Congratulations to the following students:

Emily Keane (Year 12), who has been selected to represent Tasmania at the National Finals for the Evatt Competition, to be held in Western Australia in November.

Emily, right, pictured at the 2019 Evatt state final as a Year 10 student.

The Evatt Competition is a Model United Nations-style debate where students in Years 9 to 12 investigate world affairs and issues by developing mock Security Council resolutions from the position of an assigned country. It provides a forum for high school students to meet other like-minded students and develop their public speaking and negotiation skills in a positive, non-teaching environment.

Emily had to go through a lengthy application process to be selected as one of six students in Tasmania to compete. In pairs, delegates will be assigned a country and one resolution a week prior to the competition. They will then develop their stance on the prepared resolution from the perspective of their assigned country. On the day of their round, they will debate, amend and finally vote on the prepared resolution, as well as one impromptu resolution. Good luck for the finals, Emily!

Molly Topham (Year 11), who joined other students from all across the state yesterday at a gathering at Government House for Youth Speakout 2021—a yearly event celebrating and expressing themes of Reconciliation by the next generation.

Molly (Year 11) pictured with her proud parents at Government House on 12 October.

The Youth Speakout was the culmination of months of work from students who expressed their thoughts on Reconciliation through art, writing and speeches.

Molly had the honour of presenting her moving speech to the Governor General and esteemed guests at the event. Her speech was about recognition and the need for palawa people to be respected and listened to in all places that matter, from access and protection of burial grounds to teaching the true history of Australia in relation to the invasions of Aboriginal lands.

Well done, Molly for having the courage to ask the hard questions and speaking so eloquently about issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The future of our humanity relies on the youth of today and we’re in very good hands!

Lara Vincent and Miranda Guy (Year 12), who have been acknowledged for their excellence in creative writing alongside some of Australia's most promising young writers in the Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers.

Lara and Miranda were the only Tasmanian secondary-school aged students to be shortlisted for the prize, with Lara awarded joint first place in the creative nonfiction category for her story, What Home Is.

As shortlistees, Lara and Miranda joined just 13 other candidates from across Australia (and three in their nonfiction category). Their pieces were selected from more than 550 entries and represent a bravery with writing and a willingness to take risks.

Both Lara and Miranda should be delighted with their efforts. Congratulations and well done to you both!

In more exciting news, the girls took to the airwaves on Sunday 10 October for a live studio chat with ABC Radio presenter, Christopher Lawrence. You can listen to their interview online here.

Miranda and Lara were also recently filmed reading an excerpt of their stories, which you can watch here. (Timestamp – Miranda 20:25, Lara 40:15)

Trigger warning: Lara survived 17 foster homes, and her story indirectly references assault. The content is therefore suitable for mature audiences only.

Sophie Weeding (Year 12) who has continued to achieve her goals this year in her chosen career pathway.

Sophie (Year 12) pictured at this year's Building Futures Showcase.

Sophie has been nominated for the Tasmanian Trading Awards and the TASC Outstanding Achievement in Vocational Education and Training Award. She is also a finalist for the Business and Service Industries Student of the Year (Certificate II and III) Award at the upcoming Work and Training Graduation and Awards Ceremony.

Sophie has completed the Certificate III in Hospitality through a school-based traineeship at Brighton's Best Bakehouse, as well as studying hard to complete her TCE studies and receive a university offer.

Congratulations on your hard-earned success, Sophie. The world is your oyster!

Amelia Everard, Mia Wanandy (Year 2) and Anya Nordinson (Year 1), who won first place in the Year 1/2 category of the Catholic Education Tasmania Book Blog Regional Championships for 2021.

As prize winners, Anya, Mia and Amelia received Fullers Bookshop vouchers which they excitedly traded in for books.

For their submission, Amelia, Mia and Anya reviewed The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl.

The competition encouraged Catholic primary school students to engage in reading for pleasure and share that growing passion with their friends and family.

Well done on being crowned southern champions, girls! We look forward to following your writing journeys!

National History Challenge finalists

The following students have been selected as finalists for the National History Challenge:

State Finalist for Years 1-4

Eliza McCullough (Year 4): The History of Origami and its significance

State Finalist for Years 5-6

Abigail Creese (Year 6): The significance of Eddie Mabo

State Finalists for History of Sport

Jasmine Williams (Year 6): The significance of Pauline Menczer

Clare Wanandy (Year 7): How is Cathy Freeman a significant figure in sport?

State Finalist for Year 10 and Women’s History

Kasota Clayton (Year 10): First: How Edith Cowan paved the way for Australian women in politics.

These students were judged in the top three in Tasmania for their category and will attend a ceremony later this year to determine the Tasmanian winners. We wish them the very best of luck in the next round of the competition!

ICAS English Competition

Well done to all Year 3 to 10 students who participated in the ICAS English Competition. Special mention to the students who achieved the following awards:

Distinction: Martha Coleman-Crane, Mila Hardaker (Year 3), Annabel Hutchinson, Matilda Cunningham (not pictured), Lucy Kearney (Year 4), Jorgia Eyles, Nikita Rajesh (Year 5), Sasha Bennett (Year 6)

High Distinction: Cara Watt (Year 5)

Frank Macdonald Essay Prize

Congratulations to the following Year 9 students who entered the Frank Macdonald Essay Prize: Shelbii Chinnock, Sophie Kitto andChloe Brittain. We are extra thrilled for Chloe, who has been shortlisted for the prize.

James Gittus (Year 2) who competed at the Bridgewater PCYC Judo Open on Sunday 12 September and walked away with a silver medal.

The occasion was made even more special for James, as he won his first-ever mainstream judo match. As the smallest in his division, weighing just 24kg, this was a phenomenal achievement.

James started off in the Seishan Martial Arts no-limits team, but with hard work and determination, he has built his skills so that he now competes and trains in both the mainstream and no-limits teams. Amazing effort, James!

Cecilia Hutchinson and Amelia Howell (Year 11), who starred in the Musical Theatre Crew Senior Performance Ensemble's production of Anything Goes. The musical ran at the Theatre Royal from 17–25 September.

We were 'overboard' with excitement to hear that Amelia and Cecilia performed in Anything Goes!

If you have a student achievement to share, please get in touch by emailing stmarys@smc.tas.edu.au.