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Issue 51 – October 2014 – QUEEN MARGARET CALLING
I
It would be an understatement to
say that this year’s National Student
CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting) was nothing like
what I was expecting.
When I got an email to say that I,
along with Alex Heather-Sclater, had been
accepted to represent the nation of Malawi,
I was pleasantly surprised. But I was also
cynical. Was the Commonwealth not just
some old fusty relic of the British Empire?
How would this conference be relevant?
I was very wrong. From the outset,
CHOGM was funny, fascinating, unique
and passionate. Headed by the Hon. Peter
Dunne, day one began with forming
our own “Commonwealth Charter”, a
declaration which all member countries of
the Commonwealth agreed to - embracing
human rights, democracy, and justice.
From then on, we launched into debate.
Enthusiastically, we discussed solutions to
modern crises, such as the MH17 crash,
drug trafficking, the spread of HIV in
Northern Africa, and more. My personal
favorite moment was a group discussion of
environmentalism. The Green MP Kennedy
Graham led this group and I found that
my knowledge from my International
Baccalaureate
Environmental
Systems
& Societies class came in handy as we
considered ways to combat climate change.
CHOGM was not just valuable for the
flood of new insight it gave me.
Alex and I also got to meet so
many fascinating people. As well
as making friends amongst the
national school representatives
attending, CHOGM gave us the
opportunity to chat amicably with
military colonels, MPs, diplomats,
and even the Prime Minister.
Their words were informative
and inspirational - as Mr Key
said himself, looking around the
room, “You are all here because
you are passionate about changing
the world, and determined to
More Than The Commonwealth Games
Eloise Sims and Alexandra Heather-Sclater were selected to participate in the Student Com-
monwealth Heads of Government Meeting held at Parliament. Eloise shares their experience:
succeed.”
The CHOGM was absolutely brilliant.
Alex and I learnt so much, particularly about
how relevant the Commonwealth is today.
It’s a lot more than just the Commonwealth
games. It’s a group of nations united in their
values, yet so diverse in their cultures and
beliefs, being able to act as leaders on the
world stage in paving the way for democracy.
Language Perfect World Championships
Elite Award
Jennika Patel
Jiaru Lin
Charlotte Barber
Charlotte Hollywood
Mira Karunanidhi
Prajna Baskar
Gold Award
Jessica Kaiser
Su Ying Shen
Eden Woodrow
Antonia King
Ashley Chandra
Clara Evans
Olivia Wana
Zoe King
Sabrina Kao
Lauren Eagleson
Amy Flynn
Tessa Frazer
Lara Cooke
Hannah Sinkins
Isabella Barber
Kate Macrae
Jenna Eagleson
Monica Saili
Nicole Bewley
Marseille Bowie
Anamika Nampoothiry
Cailin Broadley
Bridie Sheedy
Julia Sasse
Alisha Paotonu
Silver Award
Stella Zhang
Minnie Bodman
Hayley Apanowicz
Emma Power
Summer McClure
Madeleine Knowles
Emily Young
Stephanie Rumbal
Lily Szymanik
Lucy Poole
Jourdan Craig
Sonesavanh Phouphayly
Gwenn Rivoallan-Jones
Annabelle Bruynel
Meg Wilson
Bronze Award
Phoebe Telfar
Sofia Ryan
Bridget Olphert
Siena Ash
Grace McLean
Victoria Ryan
Rachel Paviour-Smith
Asia Ropeti
Dayna Wells-Reid
Heidi Craig
Meghan Schwarz
Rebecca Clowes
Kate Bolton
Matisse Uluilelata
Katherine Lopez
Charlotte Wilson
Rosa Ellingham
Crystal Amor-Ponter
Kate Mercier
Hannah Withers
Chloe Nicholson
Annie Simpson
Isobel Scherf
For ten days each year Queen Margaret College students become engrossed in the Language
Prefect World Championship where they compete against students from over 1000 schools
around the world. A number of students excelled this year and we congratulate them on their
achievement in second language learning .
Caitlin Kelly
Rachael Baber
Lily Dalton
Tayla Taggart
Emily Register
Olivia Chin
Huynita Wong
Caitlin Heesterman
Stephanie Cheevers
Ella Wilson
Sazia Vintiner
Bella Finlayson
Tamsin Cooper
Simone Ryan
Matahi Pott
Chloe Schuster
