Debating News
Sutherland Shire Debating Competition July – August 2025
This year OLM has entered a junior team in the Sutherland Shire Debating Competition which is a knockout style competition, involving students in Years 7 and 8. This competition requires three students to speak publicly with a non speaking team advisor. Students are given the topic on the day and have just 45 minutes to an hour to prepare their arguments.
Our team was affirmative for the first two debates, agreeing with the provided statements. The first debate topic against a Caringbah High School team was ‘That parents should be held responsible for the crimes of their children.’ Our second round debate against Kirrawee High, was a topical environmental issue, ‘That single-use plastic bags should be banned.’
Thus far we have been successful on both occasions, so our team ‘lives on’ to debate another day! All of our speakers and team advisors conducted themselves with grace and composure and continue to learn and develop their critical thinking skills.
Our next debate will be against the winner of the upcoming debate between St Patrick’s College Sutherland and another Kirrawee High team.
Well done to all the students who have contributed to the team’s success in this competition.
Miranda Martin, Lillian Greaves, Emma Broadhurst and Ava Kopke.
Ms S. Kamp, Debating Coordinator