FROM THE
Editors
We are very proud to commend to you the second edition of Perspective. In this edition, we extend beyond Higher School Certificate Extension course essays to a collection of student research from other grades. The papers within are drawn from course work, academic competitions and conference speeches, as well as from the HSC History and Science Extension courses where a range of impressive research projects originated.
The process of collecting these papers has been
A number of papers foreground the College’s
humbling and joyful in equal measure. Very little
strategic pillar, Social Intelligence, deepening our
editing has been needed, owing to the care and
knowledge by illuminating histories of people,
attention each student has given her research,
places and objects. Maya Hu and Hayley Zhou
writing and presentation. Whether prepared for
(Year 10) research familiar items with Asian roots,
HSC assessment, competition or class task, the
namely chopsticks and paper, respectively. Winners
core phases of scholarship are evident within this
of the prestigious National History Challenge in
collection – taking time to settle on the topic of interest, crafting a robust research question, conducting the inquiry with openness and curiosity, writing with flair, and seeking and applying feedback. The role of Editor for this journal has been primarily located in identifying and encouraging our researchers and writers and bringing their perspectives forward. We feel assured that the future is in very good hands as our students consider and offer their perspectives on topics that truly matter. A significant
2021, Joy Ye (Year 9 – National
The importance of academic literacy to students is often underestimated. It is essential for the next generation to immerse themselves in credible, and comprehensive information… We hope to encourage a generation that is well-informed and educated regarding academic journals, as they are often inaccessible or difficult to understand for the vast majority of the population. (Clark and Hartin, 2021, p.53 this edition)
winner of the Asia and Australia category) and Amy Zhang (Year 8 – NSW State winner) share their papers. Joy takes readers on an historical tour through Asian restaurants in Australia, and Amy examines the contributions of Indigenous Australian soldiers in the first World War. In their Extension History studies, Alexandra Johnson (Year 12) explores a Europeanfocused topic with Joan of Arc and Priya Mehra (Year 12) brings a traditional European lens of the historian, Leopold
number of papers in this
van Ranke, to re-assess
edition explore historical topics, reflecting students’
Paul Keating’s famous Redfern Park speech on
understanding of the value of history as a starting
reconciliation. Sophia Mitchell (Year 12) considers
place for better directions for humanity. Helena
the communication of our First Nations history
Tang (Year 7) uses historical fiction as a vehicle to
through an examination of processes in the
evocatively explore anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany
National Museum of Australia and Alice Dixon (Year
in World War II and Hanna Cheung (Year 10) reflects
12) discusses the tragic events of the Myall Creek
on an iconic painting by artist Brett Whiteley as
massacre of First Nations people in New South
she considers meanings of culture and place in
Wales in the 1830s.
Australia today.
4
Pymble Ladies’ College
