Students ranging from Year 8 to Year 12 have enjoyed great success in the philosophical arena in 2011. Engaging in weekly coaching sessions and philosophical debates under the coaching and mentoring of Katherine Alpert and participating in the National Philosothon and Queensland State Philosothon, SLC students have extended their philosophical skills, deepened their understanding of the world around them, and cogitated on the meaningful questions in life.
Left to Right: Alexander Rucker, Adam Cassidy, Wilson Gavin, Martin Doyle, Thien Pham, Marco Chemello, Hamish Barnett, Broden Diggle, Ms Katherine Alpert (Coach)
National Philosothon
Congratulations to the students of St Laurence’s College, who participated in the inaugural National Philosothon in Sydney from July 11 to 13, 2011. St. Laurence’s College has been ranked as one of the top five schools in Australia, in a competition which requires outstanding critical and creative thinking, excellent mental stamina and extensive preparation, as students cogitate on the deep questions of life in an intense marathon of discussion on philosophical questions. Our eight students contributed outstanding performances, with Hamish Barnett (Year 8), Joshua Keenan (Year 12), and Alex Cunningham (Year 12), in particular, reigning victorious as “the most valuable philosophers” in the majority of their debates.
Left to Right: Alex Cunningham, Matthew Lenarduzzi, James Aldridge, Martin Doyle, Hamish Barnett, Adam Cassidy, Lawson Costello, Joshua Keenan, and Ms. Katherine Alpert (Coach).
Queensland State Philosothon
Left to Right: Ms Katherine Alpert (Coach), Wilson Gavin, Hamish Barnett, Broden Diggle, and Martin Doyle
Congratulations to the SLC State Champions – Year 8 students Hamish Barnett, Gavin Wilson, Broden Diggle and Team Captain Martin Doyle (Year 9) – for their outstanding victory at the Queensland Philosothon Competition. Our students showed their colours as true gentlemen of the hill, cogitating on the deep questions of life in an intense philosophical marathon. All members of the team contributed exceptional performances to help St Laurence’s College win the team aggregate trophy; while Hamish Barnett was awarded the prize for best philosopher in his division.
Congratulations Queensland State Champions, you have done the College proud!
Katherine Alpert
Director of the SLC Philosophy Program