Debating End of Season

After an incredibly successful season, Debating met up one final time for an end-of-season event organised by Ms McCabe. This lunchtime meeting featured 120 Krispy Kreme donuts as well as a large amount of sausage rolls and a slideshow with photos depicting the leaving Year 12s and their journey through Cranbrook Debating. There was a huge turnout not only from students but also the Debating Coaches, even featuring guests such as Mr Meakin and Mr Jolly, coming to give their congratulations to the most successful season of Debating in history. Mr Adams and Ms McCann, frequent supporters of the Debating programme also came to enjoy the event and their presence was very much appreciated.

During the event, a lot of reflection was done on the success of the season. Casper Nicholson, the Vice-Head of Competition Debating, spoke about how this season saw a record number of wins, in the ISDA category with every single team making the octo-finals and the Senior As team even taking home the win and beating Grammar on their third win in a row. There were also a record number of Competition debaters with 110 students in total. The success was not limited to Competition Debating, as Leonid Burshtein discussed the success of the programme with 20 signups this semester and with some previous Social debaters joining the Competition programme. This number is also expected to grow this semester thanks to the incredible help of Coach Zoe. Finally, the Head of Debating, Angus Malcolm, gave his closing remarks on the season and congratulated the boys on the very successful season, reminding them to not rest on their laurels and continue working forward.

After this, the podium was handed over to Jeremiah Edagbami, the Head Coach of the Debating programme at Cranbrook. He also announced the Junior and Senior Debaters of the Year, with the awards going to Finn Dusseldorp from Year 8 and Casper Nicholson in Year 12. He also congratulated all of the Year 12 debaters on their journey and awarded them each a medal for their help to the programme. Finally, a huge thank you was given by the boys to all of the Debating coaches and teachers for making it all possible and allowing the boys to reach their true potential in Debating. Unfortunately, there was not enough time for the traditional Comedy Debate but the new Head of Debating D’arcy Richardson has a plan to make it happen sometime soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

Leonid Burshtein, Vice Captain (Social Debating)