It appears the art – or science – of philosophical enquiry is alive and well in schools in Western Australia. Some 100 students from Years 8-11 representing 16 participating and 3 oberserving schools attended the The 2008 Hale School Philosothon on 29 October. The competition (begun in 2007 with an intial 9 schools and 45 students) encourages students to participate in ‘Communities of Inquiry’ – investigating philosophical questions following their reading of background material and their own research.
In preparing for this event, students are given opportunities to practice critical thinking to develop and hone their skills. Certainly, at Hale School (host and originator of the Philosothon), the Philosophy Club has seen a significant rise in membership with boys expressing an interest in entering the competition and attending the annual Philosophy camp.
The 2008 Philosothon winners were;
First – Christ Church Grammar School
Second – Hale School
Third – Perth College
2008 participants were;
Australind SC
Carey Baptist College
Carmel School
Christ Church Grammar
Guildford Grammar
Hale School
John Septumus Roe
John XXIII
Pemberton DHS
Penhros College
Perth College
Scotch College
St Mark’s AGS
St Mary’s AGS
St Stephen’s Carramar
Wesley College
The judging panel included eight senior lecturers from WA’s four public Universities and the community facilitators included eight PhD Philosophy students from these universities. This year, the judges’ observations suggested that the standard of inquiry had improved. The judges were:
Dr Raymond Driehuis
Dr Felicity Haynes
Dr Nic Damnjanovic
Dr Richard Hamilton
Dr Alan Tapper
Dr Stephan Millett
Dr Peta Bowden
Dr Miri Albahari
Dr Joseph Naimo
Philosothon organiser and Head of Religion and Philosophy at Hale School, Matthew Wills, will be speaking in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney about the Philosothon and teaching Philosophy and Ethics in the RE classroom.
Please note this is an independent seminar not related to Dialogue Australasia Network. Bookings and enquiries can be made directly with Matthew.
