{"id":26621,"date":"2026-09-24T11:51:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T01:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/?post_type=article&#038;p=26621"},"modified":"2026-09-24T11:51:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T01:51:57","slug":"end-of-debating-competitions-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/article\/end-of-debating-competitions-for-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"End of Debating Competitions for 2026!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This year has been another highly successful one for debating at SCEGGS. We are very proud of every student who has attended a training session, competed in an Inter-House Competition, participated in Eastside, ISDA or Archdale&#8230; or even debated in a Social Debating Competition! The opportunities to debate and practice debating skills at SCEGGS are endless. It brings our debating community so much joy to know students are trialing and giving debating a go all the way from Year 5 to Year 12.<\/p>\n<p>Here are this week&#8217;s updates:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Trials\">Debating Trials &#8211; Term 4, 2026 and Term 1, 2027<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Squad\">SCEGGS Representative Squad<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Monday\">Monday Assemblies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Archdale\">Archdale Updates<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Festival\">Festival of Speech &#8211; Debating<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Coach\">Head Coach Report for 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Social\">Social Debating<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4><strong><a id=\"Trials\"><\/a>Debating Trials \u2013 Term 4, 2026 and Term 1, 2027 <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Trials for 2027 debating teams will occur later this year:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Trials for Year 8-10 will be held in Term 4 this year, after examinations. This is due to the large number of students we had trial this year and to allow ample timing, ascompetitions begin in February 2027.<\/li>\n<li>Year 6 ISDA and Year 7 students will begin training in Term 1, 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Registration information will be shared via Clipboard in due course. Further updates will also be published in this newsletter next term.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><a id=\"Squad\"><\/a>SCEGGS Representative Squad <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Congratulations to our very own Yang Zhou (Year 11) for qualifying for the IGSA Representative Squad for 2026! Yang competed against students from schools across the state and earned a place in the team. The competition has begun and her IGSA team has been successful thus far. We are very proud of Yang for her commitment to Debating inside and outside of SCEGGS and she is representing the School with pride.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><a id=\"Monday\"><\/a>Monday Assemblies 2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>We also thank Yang Zhou and Caitlin Cameron (Year 11) for stepping up this term and speaking at assemblies each Monday and keeping our school community informed about debating activities and achievements. They have both done a stellar job.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><a id=\"Archdale\"><\/a>Archdale Updates <\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5>Quarter Finalists<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Seniors v Meriden \u2013 That the Australian government should increase public investment into AI development<\/li>\n<li>Year 8A v Wenona<\/li>\n<li>Year 8B v MLC School<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Semi Finalists<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Year 10 v Monte \u2013 That we predict that gender inequality in the West will worsen, rather than improve, in the next 10 years \u2013 Affirmative<\/li>\n<li>Juniors v Mt. Saint Benedict College \u2013 That the votes of young people should be weighted more highly in political elections \u2013 Affirmative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Grand Final Winners!<\/h5>\n<p>Both SCEGGS teams were victorious in their respective Grand Finals this year, a testament to the strength of our debating program. Congratulations to the following students:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Juniors \u2013 That we should impose penalties on sports clubs when their players are charged with a criminal offense (e.g. fines, points deductions, etc) &#8211; Negative<\/li>\n<li>Year 10 \u2013 That we predict the United States will be less, rather than more democratic in 2036 than it is in 2026 &#8211; Negative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">\n<p><strong>Archdale Juniors<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"312\">\n<p><strong>Year 10 Archdale<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">\n<p>Anastasia Botros<\/p>\n<p>Cynthia Cai<\/p>\n<p>Clementine Reuss<\/p>\n<p>Isla Roberts<\/p>\n<p>Anna Slack<\/p>\n<p>Emily Whiting<\/p>\n<p>Audrey Young<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"312\">\n<p>Flora Balagna<\/p>\n<p>Radha Bhindi<\/p>\n<p>Alice Flynn<\/p>\n<p>Josephine Hatherall<\/p>\n<p>Anna Luo<\/p>\n<p>Olivia Roberts<\/p>\n<p>Sophia Whiting<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>To have two teams crowned Archdale Premiers in the same season is an outstanding achievement and reflects the dedication of our students, coaches and debating community.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-26621 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-medium'>\n<figure class='gallery-item link-'>\n<div class='gallery-icon'>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/Picture1-1.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightcase:1:slideshow\" title=\"Juniors \u2013 Archdale Grand Final Winners\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/Picture1-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption'>Juniors \u2013 Archdale Grand Final Winners<\/figcaption>\n<div class='gallery-item__overlay d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center'><span class='fal fa-plus fa-2x'><\/span><\/div><\/figure>\n<figure class='gallery-item link-'>\n<div class='gallery-icon'>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/Picture2.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightcase:1:slideshow\" title=\"Year 10 Archdale Grand Final Winners\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/Picture2-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption'>Year 10 Archdale Grand Final Winners<\/figcaption>\n<div class='gallery-item__overlay d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center'><span class='fal fa-plus fa-2x'><\/span><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><a id=\"Festival\"><\/a>Festival of Speech \u2013 Debating <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Festival of Speech is back this year and we have two teams \u2013 Junior and Senior teams representing SCEGGS on Friday, 23 October. If the teams qualify, they will continue onto Saturday, 24 October 2026 at PLC Sydney. The students will commence training in Term 4. All information can be found on Clipboard.<\/p>\n<p>Congratulations to the following girls for being selected to represent SCEGGS this year:<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">\n<p><strong>Junior<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"312\">\n<p><strong>Senior<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">\n<p>Anastasia Botros<\/p>\n<p>Cynthia Cai<\/p>\n<p>Arianna Li<\/p>\n<p>Sophie Wang<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"312\">\n<p>Caitlin Cameron<\/p>\n<p>Holly Johnston<\/p>\n<p>Pascale Otton<\/p>\n<p>Yang Zhou<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><a id=\"Coach\"><\/a>Head Coach Report for 2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>2026 was another excellent year for SCEGGS debating, and I am so proud of the diligence, resilience and passion displayed by all of our debating students. Across three competitions (Eastside, ISDA and Archdale), our students approached every round with intellectual curiosity and care, debating topics that challenged them (and often also challenged their coaches). Secondary school debating is demanding, and the expectations are high. But our debaters rose to the challenge every time. Our students made arguments about current political issues both in Australia and overseas, the pros and cons of fiscal policy, the merits of social norms, and the efficacy of health policy, speaking eloquently for eight minutes with only 45 minutes of preparation, something that would be difficult for many adults. The nature of the topics combined with the requirement to think on your feet with relatively little time to prepare, is what makes debating so challenging, yet so rewarding.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pullquote\">\n<p>I know our students are more knowledgeable, compassionate, and curious people because of the lessons they learn through debating. The skills they learn will be invaluable as they move into the world outside the Green Gate.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There were some standout achievements this year. The Year 12 Eastside team showed enormous courage and strength and went on to win the Grand Final. I felt incredibly fortunate and so proud as I watched them in their final debate in high school.<\/p>\n<p>Our Year 10s won both the Eastside and Archdale competitions, an incredibly impressive accomplishment in the face of serious competition. We also retained our Junior title in the Archdale competition, holding on to the shield for another year.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, Year 11 debater Yang Zhou was selected for both the NSW State Debating Squad and the Archdale Representative Firsts, two of the most prestigious debating opportunities for senior students.<\/p>\n<p>Debating is one of the longest co-curricular commitments, spanning almost three terms and multiple afternoons a week. It asks a lot of our students, both practically and intellectually. As coaches, we feel so proud of our students every week at training, especially when they return after losing a debate, and it\u2019s warm and sunny outside. Getting to know and build relationships with students over the school year is what makes coaching so valuable. It is the reason we return to SCEGGS every year. I hope everyone enjoys their much-deserved break from debating. We are so excited to see you all succeed again next year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mia Freeland<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Head Coach<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><a id=\"Social\"><\/a>Social Debating <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Keep an eye on BTGG in early Term 4\u00a0 to read about all the Social Debating that has been happening over the past few months. There will be more Social Debating opportunities for students in Term 4, so please\u00a0 keep an eye on emails from \u201cDebating@SCEGGS\u201d to sign up for dates after Year 7-10 Examinations early in Term 4.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For questions, please email <a href=\"mailto:debating@sceggs.nsw.edu.au\"><strong>debating@sceggs.nsw.edu.au<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>We look forward to supporting your daughter\u2019s debating journey as SCEGGS continues to thrive in this exciting co-curricular space.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Suvini Kottegoda<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>Social Sciences Teacher and Debating Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year has been another highly successful one for debating at SCEGGS. We are very proud of every student who has attended a training session, competed in an Inter-House Competition, participated in Eastside, ISDA or Archdale&#8230; or even debated in a Social Debating Competition! The opportunities to debate and practice debating skills at SCEGGS are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":26624,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","article_category":[],"article_tag":[66],"class_list":["post-26621","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article_tag-debating"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/26621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26621"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_category?post=26621"},{"taxonomy":"article_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_tag?post=26621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}