VICTORIAN PHILOSOTHON

PHILOSOPHY NEWS: 2013 VICTORIAN PHILOSOTHON

Congratulations to seven of our very own student philosophers who participated in the 2013 Victorian Philosothon: Michael Aguilera, Samuel Dunn, Sara Cooper, Daniel Barsegian, Celine Ikin, Geordan Tyzack and Alexander Livanos.  Students tackled the following philosophical discussion topics on life's Big Questions: Should Nature have rights? Should we fight for a philosophical education? and What is poverty?

McKinnon students practiced the pillar skills necessary in philosophical dialogue using the Community of Inquiry approach; critical, creative and caring thinking skills, as they engaged with each other as well as students from ten other schools across Victoria.

"The Philosothon was the most intellectual fun I have had in a very long time, as it gave me the opportunity to have a philosophical conversation with a lot of new people, proving to me that Philosophy certainly goes further than Mckinnon Secondary College.  Philosophy is something you carry with you forever.” - Samuel Dunn (Year 11)

"The Philosothon is a great experience for all philosophers, it encourages you to give your input in.  You also learn a lot of interesting things about the topics through discussion.  I had a great time at the 2013 Philosothon!" - Geordan Tyzack (Year 7)

For more information on philosophy in schools please visit http://vaps.vic.edu.au/

Michelle Rocca

Philosothon Coordinator 

PHILOSOPHY NEWS: MSC SENIORS INVITED TO FACILITATE 2013 PHILOSOTHON

Two of our very own veteran philosothon participants, and seasoned philosophers in their own right, Ned Dann and Aaron Sanford, were invited by the Victorian Association for Philosophy in Schools to guide novice participants, from eleven schools across Victoria, in deep philosophical discussion.  Our seniors were the only students selected in this leadership role, as McKinnon Secondary College students continue to take initiative to learn discussion and collaborative problem solving skills, as well as challenge themselves and others during Philosophy Club each week.  Ned and Aaron's passion for engaging students from all year levels in life's Big Questions, combined with their well-developed skills in Community of Inquiry discussion facilitation, landed them these leadership roles.  Among the facilitators were Monash University and University of Melbourne graduate students.

"The Victorian Philosothon was a great experience for me. Serving as a facilitator I was able to absorb the discussions of my peers and was exposed to the numerous points of view of different people across Victoria.  My role in the communities of inquiry as an independent umpire taught me various techniques in communicating with others, guiding and helping students expand upon the ideas of others.  What I had first considered daunting turned out to be a rather enjoyable diversion from the stresses of normal school work.  It is possible for everyone to gain something new from such an experience whether they are a facilitator or a student competitor.  Overall I would recommend this event to anyone with an interest in philosophy, competition, or simply those with big ideas and opinions about life's big questions."

- Aaron Sanford (Year 11)

To Ned and Aaron:  Thank you for accepting this rare leadership opportunity and using your facilitation skills to engage and encourage other students to participate in cultivating life-long skills through philosophical discussion. You did McKinnon proud!

Michelle Rocca

Philosothon Coordinator