News Centre
Plenty of Tough Guys and Gals at Selwyn!
Last Friday, the Health and PE Learning Area took 68 students from Level 2/3 to the 2021 Secondary Schools Tough Guy/Gal mud run in Helensville. This was a further assessment opportunity for them to gain performance standard credits. Selwyn was one of the toughest schools to compete against in Auckland with 3 finishers in the top 12!...
Marking an Honourable Achievement
We are pleased to learn that our Year 12 student William Bennett, a Cadet Corporal at Meadowbank Division of St John Youth Cadets has been announced as the East District Cadet of the Year.His duties as will include visiting every Division in his District, being a committee member for District and Regional Competitions, presenting and ...
Selwyn at the Prime Minister’s Dawn Raid Apology
Year 12 History student Brianna Murgatroyd writes:As most have seen, Hon. Jacinda Ardern's official government apology for the Dawn Raids has been circulating the news. The ceremony encapsulated the audience, from the beginning of the Cook Island welcome to the powerful spoken word, 'Raiding the Dawn'. It was incredible to witness such a strong leader take accountability for something she had not seen nor done. The apology exuded manaakitanga which was felt throughout the audience. I am honoured to have attended on behalf of Selwyn College, after receiving an invitation from the Polynesian Panthers who came and spoke to us at school last year. It was a privilege to be included in such a momentous part of New Zealand history - a powerful experience that I will cherish forever.
Final of the International Ethics Olympiad
2021 saw Selwyn enter a team in the Ethics Olympiad for the very first time. We were so proud of the students as they made their way through the New Zealand final and into the International one! They can be extremely proud of their 10th placing in the world and we are absolutely delighted for them!The team comprised of: Luke Cameron-Smith, Sean Hollier, Evelynn Turin, James Boland, Linda Pham and Poppy Jones.Team member James Boland writes:Argument is the key to success in philosophy. The International Ethics Olympiad forced us as a team to bring philosophical arguments to key issues facing our generation today: representation in media, defunding the police, fast fashion and sustainability, and COVID-19. Prior to the tournament, we were required to research philosophical lenses through which we can discuss these issues, such as: utilitarianism, contractarianism, Kant and his categorical imperatives, proportionalism, and much more. Then we were given a question, such as, “How do we weigh the ethicality of striving to achieve a goal against the practicality of achieving such goal?” and then required to unpack it and offer up constructive dialogue in conjunction with another team. Us and the other team were not opponents, rather two interlocutors who, through conversation, were trying to come closer to the truth. Each member of our team chose a separate ethical framework, such as utilitarianism or Kantianism, and then we would each take turns going around discussing how each of our frameworks came to the same conclusion, which, as it was supported by many philosophical frameworks, must be closest to the truth. Our teamwork skills were tested as we all have very strong personalities, however, we found commonality in our drive to succeed, which allowed us to really listen to contrasting perspectives and engage in constructive dialogue. Also, for nerds like us, sitting in a room with other amazing teams and reputable adjudicators was a delightful experience - we are very grateful for being given this extraordinary opportunity. The key insight we all took away from this experience is that arguments are always stronger with more perspectives, whether they be more philosophical lenses or minority views, as more input allows for a more nuanced, thoughtful, and successful dialogue.
River Drefers & Barri Merimo Soaring in Basketball
Congratulations to our Head Student River Drefers and Year 12 student Barri Merimo who are both members of the Auckland 17s Basketball team. During the last school holidays, they represented Auckland in the annual U17 national tournament, which was held in Dunedin.The competition comprised of the 20 top teams in the country and we are thrilled to learn that Auckland came 2nd, losing to Canterbury, after reaching the final match unbeaten. A great effort all the same!
‘Play it Strange’ Songwriting
Selwyn College submitted a number of songs for the ‘Play It Strange’ Songwriting competition and we are thrilled that three of our students have been selected as finalists. Congratulations to:Lara Whitehead for ‘Bitter’Jed Scott for ‘I Can’t Remember What I’m Chasing After’ Eva Hall for the song ‘To My (Fake) Exes’‘Play It Strange’ provides pathways of creativity through songwriting plus the recording, performance and celebration of their songs. All finalists receive a signed certificate, a $50 NZ Rockshop voucher and a day in a professional recording studio to the value of $750 to record their song. Their songs are then mastered for the annual album, which is available for download for free on all platforms. Congratulations! We look forward to hearing the album!