Student Leadership Group

MODEL UNITED NATIONS HOSTED BY DROMANA COLLEGE 

On Friday 8th September Dromana College proudly hosted a Model United Nations for five other schools. The day was officially overseen by the United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) and we were lucky enough to have in attendance Dr Sally Northfield the Global Education Manager (UNAA) and Professor Ian Howie whose previous life saw him work for many years at the United Nations in New York. 

A Model United Nations is essentially a role playing simulation of the real General Assembly where students as nations, discuss and debate topics from their countries political and cultural perspective. Each country is comprised of approximately four students who work in a team as a delegation. The topic chosen was ‘Pathways to Peace’ where countries were debating ways to reduce the violent conflict seen in our world. This topical and important discussion was presented most professionally by the students. Professor Howie commented that the statements by the students were some of the best, he had ever seen. 

The students were debating the following draft resolution and the goal is essentially for as many countries to agree to this document as possible without their nationally interest’s being significantly compromised. This is where the diplomacy is needed and most important. The preamble is essentially the aspirational outcomes that countries would like to achieve whereas the operative is essentially the actions that are required to take place to achieve the objectives.

With an almost unanimous vote, the draft resolution was successfully passed after many hours of debating proposed amendments to the original document. The day was an absolute credit to all the students involved which included 40 students from Dromana College and students from the following schools: Frankston High School, Rosebud Secondary College, Leongatha Secondary College, Cranbourne Secondary College and Mornington Secondary College. Special mention for Leongatha Secondary College students who left home at 6:30am to get to Dromana. Also, for the Cranbourne Secondary College students who found out about the day and organised themselves completely independently of any teacher assistance. 

A special thank you must go to all those involved in helping organise the day.

It was a great day overall and highlighted that our future is in safe hands. The passion, authenticity and belief in a better world was clearly evident by all students. 

Maddison Olsen & Alex Woolley 

PASSED RESOLUTION:

PREAMBLE:

1.1 Recalling the determination of the peoples of the United Nations, to save succeeding generations from the devastation of war and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small; 

1.2 Reiterates that criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of war in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons are in any circumstances unjustifiable, despite considerations of political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature, that may be invoked to justify them; 

1.3 Further recalling that the prevention of conflict remains a primary responsibility of all members of the United Nations, and it is the responsibility of each individual state to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity;

1.4 Reaffirming that discrimination between human beings on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin or gender and sexuality is an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations among nations and is capable of disturbing peace and security among peoples and the harmony of persons living side by side even within the same state; 

1.5 Acknowledges that serious abuses and violations of international human rights or humanitarian law, including sexual and gender-based violence, can be an early indication of a descent into conflict or escalation of conflict, as well as a consequence of conflict; 

1.6 Emphasizing the responsibility of all Member States to effectively and robustly regulate the international trade in conventional arms and to recognize that disarmament and non-proliferation are essential for the maintenance of international peace; 

1.7 Acknowledges that for all States to realise the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and peace itself, require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields; 

1.8 Calling attention to the need for a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and sustainable peace that promotes social progress and establishes conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained. 

OPERATIVE:

2.1 Calls upon Member States, that have not already done so to ratify the instruments of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and to take appropriate steps to implement these instruments domestically, which could contribute to timely prevention of conflicts; 

2.2 Reminds all Member States to intensify efforts to secure a world free of all war acts threatening human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy, and in cooperating to prevent and suppress conflict, armed force shall not be used, except when it is in the common global interest to do so; 

2.3 Emphasises that States should take all necessary steps to enhance cooperation and to prevent and combat violent conflict by building inclusive, robust institutions that are truly accountable to their people, by listening carefully to grievances and then acting swiftly to address them; 

2.4 Reaffirms the duty of all Member States to settle their internal and international disputes by peaceful means, through negotiation, enquiry, good offices, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and judicial settlement, or other peaceful means of their own choice; 

2.5 Urges all states to promote international peace and security and to do their utmost to achieve a reasonable degree of disarmament under effective international control, as well as ensuring that the resources released by these effective disarmament measures are used to support sustainable development, particularly in developing countries; 

2.6 Suggests all states increase their efforts in diversifying sources of energy to tackle the causes of climate change as a major driver of conflict and to support climate adaptation in developed and developing countries in their transition to renewal energy without the arise of economic or social complications; 

2.7 Urges wealthy developed nations, in the spirit of shared responsibility and global solidarity, to provide financial assistance for the refugee programs of UNHCR, in particular refugee camps and resettlement programs in low income developing Member States that experience considerable refugee intakes beyond their economic means; 

2.8 Strongly urges wealthy developed nations to contribute material assistance, including a minimum of 7% of their COVID-19 vaccine supplies, to developing nations to address conditions conducive to the spread of conflict such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, social exclusion and marginalisation. 

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES:

1. Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) 

2. Bhutan (Kingdom of Bhutan)

3. Bolivia (Plurinational State of Bolivia) 

4. Canada 

5. China (People’s Republic of China)

 6. Costa Rica (Republic of Costa Rica)

 7. Finland (Republic of Finland)8. France (Republic of France) 

9. Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)

10. India (Republic of India)

11. Iraq (Republic of Iraq)

12. Lebanon (Republic of Lebanon) 

13. Liberia (Republic of Liberia)

14. Myanmar (Republic of the Union of Myanmar)

15. New Zealand 

16. Pakistan (Islamic Republic of Pakistan) 

17. Poland (Republic of Poland) 

18. Rwanda (Republic of Rwanda) 

19. Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) 

20. South Sudan (Republic of South Sudan)

21. Switzerland (Swiss Confederation) 

22. Ukraine 

23. United Kingdom (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) 

24. United States of America  

TERM 3 CASUAL DRESS DAYS

During Term 3 the Student Leadership Team ran two casual dress day fundraisers as we did not run one during Term 2. The first was run on Thursday 4 August and the nominated charity was Beyond Blue. The theme was rainbow or bright colours to celebrate and support diversity within our society. There was also some music provided by Mr Gardner at lunchtime in the Year 8 Area. Thankfully the sun did come out and the total raised on the day was an impressive $1300.

The second casual dress day was run on Thursday 8 September in recognition of R U OK? Day. Dromana College has developed a strong relationship with R U OK? as an organisation and we were supported with numerous resources and merchandise to distribute on the day. During the day there was a staff morning tea at recess followed by live music performances courtesy of the Music Department at lunchtime in the library. The Wellbeing Team provided a range of resources from Headspace along with some activities to engage and promote the importance of mental health. At the time of writing approximately $1100 had been raised from the day for R U OK? All students who participated in the activities provided had their name taken down to go into a draw to win an R U OK? prize pack. 

Yet again Dromana College has come together as a community to help support others and promote important causes. The Student Leadership Team thanks all the students and staff who participated and supported each day. 

YEAR 8 GRACE BOEHNKE JOINS THE VICTORIAN STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE

Hi All,

I'm Grace Boehnke the Year 8 Year Level Captain and I have recently been elected to be on VicSRC's Executive committee. This means I will advocate for student voice on a state level with other student leaders from around Victoria. The executive is a body of 15 students and to be elected required a rigorous application process. 

On Friday 2nd of September, I attended the annual congress that VicSRC holds to give all Victorian students a chance to advocate on what they think needs to be changed in the education system. I discussed ideas with my fellow leaders and was able to listen to guest speakers and other stakeholders in this space. 

It was an amazing day and I got to hear so many valid points that I will most definitely be talking about with our wonderful student leadership team at Dromana. 

Grace Boehnke 

Year 8 Year Level Captain

VicSRC Representative for Dromana and Executive Member

YEAR 12 HUMANITIES DOMAIN CAPTAIN SARAH WALLACE ACHIEVES THE QUEEN’S GUIDE AWARD

Year 12 Humanities Captain Sarah Wallace has recently achieved a fantastic award for her work within the Girl Guides Australia. Sarah has been awarded the Queen’s Guide Award which is the peak achievement award for youth members of Girl Guides Australia. The Award recognises the leadership and self-development skills that Sarah has worked hard to develop within the Girl Guides Australia. 

In February 2023 Sarah will be going to parliament house to presented with her official certificate of recognition. Sarah should be extremely proud of her efforts both in and outside of the college. It is a fitting recognition of her strong commitment to her local community. Well done!