Strathcona. Bring out her best.

Confidence and courage. These are the attributes that make Strathcona girls such high achievers. We’re proud of their achievements. We’re even more proud of who they are.

Student Achievements

Strathcona girls aren’t afraid of a challenge. In fact, they enjoy the chance to test their skills and prove their capabilities. We encourage our girls to extend themselves in a range of areas from the artistic to the sporting to the academic. It’s just the beginning of a lifetime of achievements.

Diplomacy The Winner In School United Nations Debate (2009)

Topics ranging from the death penalty to the diplomatic status of Taiwan were on the agenda in Boroondara when Strathcona students won a United Nations debating competition for secondary students in the area.

The United Nations competition, held on August 3 2009, was based on the Thant Trophy, an initiative of the United Nations Youth Association. Fifteen teams, each comprising two students, represented each of the United Nations Security Council’s 15 member nations.

Strathcona students Tessa Clegg and Gemma Hallett (both Year 10 students) were equal winners with a Scotch College team. The students debated a series of draft resolutions conducted according to the rules that govern the Security Council at its meetings in New York.

Tessa and Gemma represented Turkey and the students were challenged to develop their research and debating skills. They demonstrated their confidence in public speaking through many spur of the moment speeches and questions to other delegates. The Strathcona students were congratulated on their enthusiasm during their preparation for the competition and the poise they displayed on the day.

Strathcona Students Receive Premier’s Awards (2009)

Michaela Groves, Jessica Wilson and Jessica Stanley all completed VCE in 2008 and have received Premier’s VCE Awards for their outstanding results.

Michaela Groves received the award for her perfect score of 50 in English, Jessica Wilson for her perfect score in International Studies and Jessica Stanley for Drama.

The Premier presented the students with their medals and certificates at a ceremony at the new Melbourne Convention Centre on Tuesday, 21 July 2009.

Michaela is now studying Health Sciences at the University of Otago in New Zealand with a view to transfer to Medicine after first year. Jessica Wilson is at Monash University studying Arts/Law and Jessica Stanley is also at Monash University studying Arts.

Strathcona Student Lays Down The Law (2008)

Caitlin McNamara — Year 12

Caitlin McNamara was named one of Victoria’s best young advocates in the annual Bond University High Schools’ Mooting Competition.

Caitlin was one of a team of three who represented Strathcona at the Melbourne Magistrates Court. This is the second year in a row in which Caitlin has received this award.

The Bond University High Schools’ Mooting Competition is held nationally and involves more than 100 schools around Australia.

A moot is a legal argument based on a prescribed set of facts. Mooting is designed to teach and test a range of intellectual and practical skills, and to give participants an insight into the legal system. Moots stimulate the operation of a real court.

Strathcona Student Wins Award For Youth Radio Role (2008)

Lucy Butler — Year 12

Lucy Butler is a VCE student, a football coach and a radio presenter.

The City of Whitehorse named Lucy the Young Person of the Month. The award recognises people aged under 27 who make an outstanding contribution to the community and provide positive role models.

Each Monday night, Lucy presents ‘Your Planet Needs You’, a youth-focused socially and environmentally aware program on Whitehorse Boroondara Community Radio (3WBC 94.1 FM). The program is researched, produced and presented by young people.

The Whitehorse Council’s July newsletter commented on Lucy’s ‘passion for improving the lives of young people by providing them with a way of discussing issues of relevance to them has led her to be named as the Whitehorse Young Person of the Month.’

Lucy hopes to continue her studies in media and broadcasting after completing her VCE this year.

Speaking Up Makes Student A Winner (2008)

Emily Miller — Year 10

Emily Miller won the prestigious annual Rotary Four-Way Test Public Speaking Competition. The competition was run by the Rotary Club of Balwyn and involved students in Years 10 and 11 in the City of Boroondara.

Emily’s speech about organ donation took her from representing her year level in Strathcona’s public speaking competition, to semi-finals at Trinity Grammar and ultimately to her success in the Rotary competition.

Emily and her fellow finalists were evaluated by a panel of judges who looked for confidence; delivery; speech development, effectiveness and value; appropriate choice of topic and correct grammar.

Student Goes Into Battle For Defence Spending (2008)

Rebecca Gumley — Year 12

Rebecca Gumley made an impassioned plea in support of Federal defence funding when she was runner up in the state finals of the esteemed Plain English Speaking Award. The competition has been running since 1977 and is organised by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Rebecca competed in a series of school and regional heats. In the final Rebecca also had to present her speech on adequate defence spending as well as a three-minute impromptu speech only four minutes after learning what the topic was.

Following the completion of her VCE, Rebecca has been accepted to study next year at the Australian Defence Forces Academy in Canberra.