Proud winners

The Catholic Schools Debating Association (CSDA) named Santa Sabina overall winner of the Senior Aggregate Shield (pictured), and joint winner of the Junior Aggregate Shield for 2022. These shields are awarded to the school/s who have had the highest number of teams progress past the regular rounds.

Debater Molly Hoogland of Year 10 was selected into the Independent Girls Schools’ Association (IGSA) representative debating team. Molly

PHILOSOPHY, ETHICS AND GOLD MEDALS

Questioning the answers

At Santa Sabina the study of philosophy and ethics is not considered niche – these are sought after options, particularly in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 where the students can choose to study elective Philosophy and World Studies or to join the co-curricular option of training for and participating in the Australian Ethics Olympiad.

In 2022 the number of students studying Philosophy and World Studies across Years 9 and 10 grew to 70 by the end of the year. In the co-curricular ethics program, our teams in the national Middle School Olympiads of 2021 and 2022 both received gold.

Our success in both the classroom course and the co-curricular activity indicates a healthy thirst for knowledge.

YEAR 7 (2022) STUDENT MIA BECK SUMMED UP THE BENEFITS:

‘The Ethics Olympiad has been a significant way for me to broaden my perspective on philosophy as well as my thoughts and questions about the world. I’ve improved my ability to see the small details and the big picture in many real-life situations, which I believe I’ve learned from studying ethical cases.

is the first representative from Santa selected in a number of years. Molly trained with the team from IGSA schools and debated against other representative squads across the state.

Strong results In the Archdale competition (run by IGSA) meant our Senior and Year 9 teams both progressed through to the Quarter Finals. The year 7B and 8A teams narrowly missed out on the Quarter Finals on a countback.

With the incredible support we received, my team and I have made a great achievement this year and I hope to continue with our success in the future.’

The benefits of studying Philosophy and World Studies as an elective also brings benefits other subjects. One of our two Philosophy teachers, Latisha Touma, says the students have really warmed to the course.

‘In class we analyse the validity and soundness of arguments and also attempt to understand the world around us through philosophy, politics and psychology’, says Latisha.

‘Philosophy is the “why”. Students are encouraged to question. Every day in other subject areas we have questions, and we have answers. In Philosophy we question the answers.’

Philosophy is not just for the high potential learners. At Santa it is proven to engage learners of all aptitudes, including those who signed up with little knowledge of the subject but rather an interest in ideas and in extending their thinking.

‘Philosophy is a life skill, you do not have to be gifted in it’, says Latisha. ‘It’s for those who like to extend themselves further. We have students in the course who had no idea about philosophy when they started but now it’s one of their favourite subjects.’

Finalists

As finalists in the BIOTech Futures Challenge, students Jayden Xie, Aditi Kamath and Isabella Huang of Years 10 and 9 presented their project, Heart Connect, at a symposium at the University of Sydney in August. We were told that our team’s project stood out among the countless submissions they read. At the symposium their work was marked by an expert panel of judges and watched by distinguished guests from academia, industry, and Parliament.

BIOTech Futures is an innovation and mentorship program that aims to empower the brightest young minds. The initiative connects students with world-class academics to think creatively and scientifically about solutions to challenges in the fields of health, medicine, sustainability, humanitarian aid and the environment.

Heart Connect was the students’ response to the Challenge’s requirement to research a current problem in health and medicine and develop an innovative solution to tackle the problem with the support of a university mentor.

Scan t he QR code to view the work of Aditi Kamath, Isabella Huang and Jayden Xie