Primary and Secondary Debating

Our Seniors win the Archdale Debating Competition!

This Tuesday our Year 7A and Senior team represented SCEGGS at the Grand Finals of this year’s Archdale Debating Competition. In what was a spectacular debate, our Senior team won against Abbotsleigh in the final, where they were affirmative on the topic: That the environmental movement should take more radical action in the fight against climate change (e.g., blocking roads, vandalism, blowing up pipelines etc.). The team consisted of Samantha Dawson, Alexandra Kuo, Helena Piazza, from Year 12 and Beatrix Rivers from Year 11. It was a privilege to watch this debate. For our three Year 12s – Samantha, Alexandra, and Helena – this was their final debate in a SCEGGS team. This cohort of Year 12s started Year 7 the year I started as Debating Coordinator, and it was very special to get to see their school debating topped off with this achievement. I have seen the dedication, enthusiasm, perseverance, and care for each other that led to this point – there is so much to be proud of, and I couldn’t think of a more deserving team. And with this win came some of the widest smiles I’ve ever seen! 

Our Year 7 team consisted of Flora Balagna, Anna Luo, Josephine Hatherall, and Lilly Zadgan. They debated on the negative of the topic: That we should not use juries in criminal trials. Although they lost in a 2-1 decision to Roseville College, being runners up in this 24-school competition is an immense achievement, and we are all so proud of the team – they have worked hard throughout the year, and this achievement is a testament to the fact that they have improved every single round. They all have long and bright debating careers ahead of them, and I am very excited to see their debating skills, and debating friendships, continue to grow.

Primary Debating

Our Year 6s debaters have been hard at work over the past week, completing their final round of lunchtime IPSHA debating, and competing in the IPSHA Debating Gala Day last Friday. It was success all round – both teams won their Round 7 IPSHA debates, and we won three out of four debates at the Gala Day. Lunchtime training will now continue, and we will work towards organising social debates between the SCEGGS debaters at lunchtime next term.

Our Year 5s have also been having lots of fun in our Introduction to Debating program. Each week we are met with a huge amount of enthusiasm, and it is great to see their skills and confidence grow.

Imogen Harper
Debating Coordinator