EXTRA-CURRICULAR HIGHLIGHTS

FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVING

The current Australian Champions, our Year 11 Future Problem Solving Team competed online in the 2021 Global Issues Problem Solving International Competition. Cordelia Morton, Lydia Colla, Imogen Wills and Hannah Merlin worked energetically to come up with their solution to the future scenario presented to them on the topic of neurotechnology. The girls were ranked 17th out of 66 teams across the world for the Senior Division, and 5th for the Presentation of the Action Plan.

The team then went on to win the National Finals in October for the second consecutive year. The girls have displayed collegiality, humour, determination and persistence throughout the year. We congratulate them on their amazing achievement.

Gisella D’Angelo & Raelene Giffney Future Problem Solving Coaches

2021 DA VINCI DECATHLON

The Da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), widely believed to be one of the world’s greatest thinkers and scholars, the Decathlon competition places a particular emphasis on higher order thinking skills, problem solving and creativity.

In teams of eight, students compete across ten disciplines including Engineering, Mathematics and Chess, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography and Legacy. ‘Chance’ was the theme of the 2021 competition, which was held online for the first time this year across three days in May. Our teams had been diligently preparing since Term 3, 2020 and were eager to put their critical thinking and collaboration skills to the test against teams from a wide range of schools across NSW. The 2021 results are outstanding and we congratulate all the students involved.

Marisa Virtich Senior Teacher, Gifted & Talented 2021 Da Vinci Decathlon Results

Year 6 3rd for Code Breaking

Year 7 3rd for Science

Year 9 2nd for Creative Producers

Year 10 2nd for Code Breaking

Year 11 2nd for Art and Poetry

Extra-Curricular Highlights

DEBATING WITH THE A-TEAM

Our Senior A Debating team, consisting of Grace Poon, Lara Nash, Sophie Bateman, Olivia Stowe and Alex Stenhouse (inset) have led the charge this year in a season of competitive, challenging and often controversial argument. This strong and formidable team narrowly missed out on going through to the quarter-finals of the Octos.

When asked why the team works so well together, Lara Nash thinks it is the bond that has grown between them in their years together. “As a team we are very close, over the years of travelling to and from debates, attending training and cheering one another on ... our team dynamic is built on our friendship, and that has really been the key to our success.”

The other team members agree. Sophie Bateman says, “I joined the ISDA team in 2019, admittedly, a little late to the table. And, honestly, I was super intimidated to be joining such a high-calibre team, but I think we all figured out very quickly that we just ‘gelled’. There was something about Lara's bull-headed determinism in the prep room, Livi's chaotic quickwittedness, Grace's calming and mediating energy and Alex's...well Alexness, that really pulled the team through even the toughest debates.”

Another key to their success is their coach. “Our coach, Juliette Marchant, has also been an incredible mentor, teacher, and friend to us all, pushing us to always improve,” says Lara. Sophie adds, “We couldn't have done it without the help of our ever-exasperated coach, who taught us more than the fundamentals of debating, but about love of all things nerdy!”

The students are very definite about the benefits of debating, and the lifelong skills it can impart. “Debating has given me so much confidence in public speaking, and in general,” says Lara. “Before starting to debate in Year 5 at my primary school, I dreaded public speaking and found it hard to speak up in any situation. I recommend debating to every girl at Loreto Kirribilli, as it is so rewarding. I attribute my confidence and assertiveness to debating, which I will carry through to university, the workplace and wherever life takes me.”

It is with a great sense of joy and achievement that the 'A-Team' conclude their debating life at Loreto Kirribilli. We hope to see them use their intelligence, skilful use of rhetoric and persuasion for a greater good in all that they endeavour in life. Thank you Sophie, Olivia, Lara, Grace and Alex on behalf of the Loreto Kirribilli debating teams!

Marisa Virtich Debating Convenor

Debating is about logic, and sustained logic at that. You've got to have the nerve to point out when someone is wrong and go further as to show why you're right. It's easy to get frustrated and let emotions override logic. However, debating will never reward you for that. It rewards your daring and your courage to challenge. Easily, this would be what I've learnt from debating and its prevalence in my everyday life only cements its importance.

SOPHIE BATEMAN

Extra-Curricular Highlights

THEATRESPORTS TEAMS PLAY FOR LAUGHS

Our Barry Senior Team represented Loreto Kirribilli brilliantly at the senior heats of the TheatreSports Schools Competition. Of note was their Number Words game, where they took the audience on a wild journey through the world of brawling bees. The students’ energy was high and their improvisation skilful, which led them to come in second on the night.

Well done to Mia Grace Otter and Coco Gracie, the Barry House Drama Captain and Councillor, as they have led our teams through the competition with aplomb. They are to be especially congratulated as we are the only school in the competition to have students as coaches, and we can be very proud of the authentic opportunities for leadership we offer here at Loreto Kirribilli.

Gillian Cooper Drama Teacher

ROWING

In another year of excellence for our rowing squad, Loreto Kirrbilli won the NSW Rowing Association Annual Point Score Competition. Alyssa Fikkers collected the trophy on behalf of the school. Alyssa was also awarded the Union of Rowers' Youth Development Scholarship.

ROBOTICS TEAM QUALIFY FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Our VEX Robotics National team competed with students from around the globe in the Live Remote VEX Robotics World Championship, streamed from the USA. The students were calm under pressure as they collaboratively and skilfully departmentmanoeuvred their robot through the required skills sequence. Well done to the girls for making it into the World Championships.