4 minute read
Student successes
Debating
Korowa students have used words as weapons in the intellectual battle known as debating, with ideas clashing and minds racing. Over 100 students are participating in debating this year, and most are involved in multiple public speaking competitions and activities.
Debating has seen a rise of opportunities, including the Brighton Grammar competition for Years 7 and 8 students, the Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition, the Deakin Law School debates, the Melbourne Grammar Debating Day and the International Women’s Day Debating Competition just to name a few! We also have two students, Alice Libermen and Audrey Ye, in the DAV State squad and Cici Chen received a Best Speaker Award at the Monash Asian Studies Debating Competition.
One thing I’m particularly proud of this year is how debating has fostered connections across year levels. Many of the senior students have been wonderful mentors and adjudicators for junior debating teams, and events, and both younger and older students have learned from each other.
Our achievements in debating are not only testament to the students' skills, but also their hard work and determination. So much time and consideration has gone into these debates, and these students should be celebrated for their success and effort.
Korowa’s debaters have demonstrated the power of words, persuasive technique and eloquence, all of which I’m sure they will use in the future to transform the world as we know it. Their global awareness and ability to debate the status quo is a powerful thing.
Music
Elaine Shi, 2023 Music Captain and have been valued participants in the Music Program at Korowa for many years. By their own initiative, they have entered the Victorian Flute Guild competition for the past two years this year taking out first place in the Under 18 Duet section.
These talented musicians play the flute in the Wendy Taylor Orchestra and Wind Symphony and continue to be involved in the music program despite the demands of Year 12.
Berthe Mouchette French Poetry Competition
Earlier in the year, students from Year 7 – 12 took part in the Alliance Française Berthe Mouchette competition. The students are required to memorise and recite a poem in French. Nineteen students were selected as finalists in this competition from a field of over 6,000 students statewide. We wish them the very best of luck as they participate in the finals.
Netball –Year 8 Flames
The Year 8 Flames netball team are to be congratulated on their win in the Grand Final of the Autumn Netball season! This outstanding achievement highlights the exceptional talent and hard work of our dedicated student athletes. Guided by their passionate coaches, led by Korowa’s Director of Netball, Shelley O’Donnell OAM and supported by the Korowa community, the Flames showcased their unwavering commitment and spirit throughout the season. Congratulations to the Year 8 Flames for the achievements.
GSV Representative Swimming
Andie Tolentino was selected in the GSV Representative Swimming team that competed at the 2023 Victorian School Associations Competition where she claimed four first place finishes. At the GSV Finals Evening, Andie claimed three Gold and one Silver medal.
Rowing
Abbey Sharrock, a Year 11 rower, successfully gained selection into the 2023 Victorian Pathways Eight. The Victorian Pathways Eight is the best Year 11 rowers in Victoria who, are selected via a trialing process to compete against Pathways Eights from across Australia.
The program is designed to provide with athletes the opportunity to continue in the sport after school through to Club, State and National levels. It is a chance to experience the National rowing selection process, compete against their counterparts nationally, work with high-level coaches and support staff and encourages school rowers to make the next step in their rowing journey.
After weeks of intensive training, the crew travelled to the 2000 Olympic Rowing venue in Penrith NSW, to compete in the National Pathways competition against all other States and Territories.
The Victorian crew won the final and were crowned the National Pathways Eight winners.
Jane Robinson OLY, Director of Rowing, said “we are very proud of how Abbey adapted so quickly from sculling to rowing sweep and her achievement has been inspirational to the entire Korowa Rowing community”
