History Debating

In an exciting start to the week, Year 10 History debaters had the opportunity to participate in not one but two zoom debates on Monday! With topics spanning the second half of the twentieth century, our team of dedicated researchers investigated the nature and key features of the space race as well as Australia’s post-war immigration policies in order to construct thoughtful cases in preparation for their debates.

Angelica Philips, Helena Piazza, Samara Foulds and Lydia Bodsworth participated in our first debate against Ryde Secondary College, arguing the negative on the topic That the USSR won the space race in the twentieth century. Both sides provided compelling reasons for why their allocated superpower should be declared the winner. However, with an argument that likened the space race to a marathon, the SCEGGS team proved that even though the USSR was the initial leader, the Apollo 11 moon landing signified the end of the space race with the US as its victor.

Following on from our debate on the space race, our second group of Year 10 speakers, Alexandra Kuo, Leyla Ozen, Ruby Cooney and Laura Davies debated North Sydney Girls High School, arguing the affirmative case that Australia had to populate or perish after WWII. 

With arguments centred on Australia’s perceived need to build its population in the wake of WWII for defence and economic growth, and the recognition of the positive long-term consequences of post-war immigration, the SCEGGS team gained a narrow victory.

Well done to all our debaters on Monday, and to the teams from Ryde Secondary College and North Sydney Girls High School for an engaging morning of historical debate!

The History Department