The Philosophy in Schools Association of NSW invites NSW secondary students in Years 10-12 to participate in our annual Essay Competition, proudly sponsored by the Royal Society of NSW Southern Highlands.

2023 Competition

Download information about the 2023 competition here: https://www.philosophyinschoolsnsw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PinS-NSW-Essay-Competition-Guidelines-2023.docx677.pdf

“As a teacher who runs Philosophy Club, I really value the opportunity that the Philosophy Essay Competition gives to students to consider a philosophical question or issue in greater depth and to conduct their own independent reading and research into this area. In the 2 years that we have entered, I find that the Essay Competition gives a voice to those students who are not always confident to speak readily or respond quickly in a Community of Inquiry, but this competition gives them time to reflect and think deeply and compose a response that is relevant to them and their lives”. – Priscilla Curran, Meriden

2022 Winners
1st place: Jasmine Ye; Meriden
2nd place: Ariane Saywell; Loreto
3rd place: Isabella Yaw; Meriden
Judge: Michaelis Michael
For information about the 2022 competition 

Click here to view Jasmine’s essay 

2021 Winners
1st place: Sneha Shygale; Meriden
2nd place: Yu Ming Lee; Sydney Boys High School
3rd place: Yaohong (Sherry) Jiang; North Sydney Girls High School
Judge: Dr Sandra Lynch

2020 Winners
1st place: Lucia Gelonesi; SCEGGS Darlinghurst
2nd place: Sarah Kostoglou; Meriden
3rd place: Dunja Dudic; Meriden
Judge: Prof Matthew del Nevo

2019 Winners
1st place – Annabel Chen, North Sydney Girls High School
2nd place – Ivy Ngo-Nguyen, Meriden
3rd place – Rifah Ahmed, Strathfield Girls High School
Judge: Dr Phil Cam