HUMANITIES

MODEL UN

On Friday 15 May, students from McKinnon Secondary College, Avila College, OLSH, South Oakleigh College and St Bede’s College gathered for an engaging and thought-provoking day for Model UN. This year’s topic was ‘Rewrite the Future: Quality Education for All’, encouraging students to explore the challenges many countries face in providing equal access to quality education. Representing different nations from around the world, students worked together to debate solutions and address barriers such as lack of resources, insufficient funds and so forth. 

The day began with a welcoming speech from the former Australian Ambassador to the United Nations, Amanda Gorely. Then came the position statements given by a nation’s delegate/s. After that came the caucus and finally, the voting of the amendments which led to the final resolution. Throughout the sessions, students delivered speeches, negotiated with other nations, and proposed resolutions aimed at improving global education systems. 

One of the highlights of the day was hearing the wide range of ideas presented during the caucus. Some delegates focused on improving access to technology, while others discussed the importance of teacher training. It was wonderful to see how different countries approached the issue in unique ways. The moderated caucuses and voting time were especially interesting because they allowed students to challenge each other’s ideas and develop a stronger solution together. 

Personally, I found Model UN both enjoyable and rewarding. It helped me build confidence in public speaking and taught me the importance of communication, teamwork, and compromise. I also gained a much deeper understanding of the global education crisis and why equal access to learning is so vital. It is definitely something all students should try to participate in. 

Jade Pang, Year 10 

THE SIMPSON PRIZE

Each year, the Simpson Prize is available for Years 9 and 10 students to enter, by crafting a response to a historical prompt and analysing sources on Australian experiences in the First and Second World Wars. Through the Prize, award winners have the opportunity to attend a Canberra Study Program, and an extensive international commemorative tour.

Applications for the 2026 program are now open to current Years 9 and 10 students. Please find more information on the Compass newsfeed or contact Miss Arneil. Applications close on Wednesday 4 November.

We are incredibly proud to announce that one of our Year 10 students, Jade Pang, was the Victorian runner-up for the 2025 Prize. Jade has kindly written a reflection on her experiences during her recent trip to Canberra.

Caitlin Arneil

History Teacher

STUDENT REFLECTION

As the Victoria runner-up in the Simpson Prize, the trip to Canberra felt less like a destination and more like an encounter with history itself. History was tangible, it was almost lifelike and breathing in the spaces it had shaped.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip for me was visiting the Australian War Memorial, where I was able to learn more about the very people and events I had researched, and two other students even laid a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony. History felt curated, held together by artefacts and testimony, yet always incomplete. It made me think more deeply about how national memory is shaped, and what is included or left out of that story.

Throughout the trip, I also spent time with other students from around Australia who shared the same passion for history as I did, which made discussions feel dynamic and challenging in the best way. Overall, the experience helped me see history less as something fixed in the past and more as something we're actively participating in by studying and interpreting it.

Jade Pang

Year 10 Student