Debating and Public Speaking

CSDA Debating

The final regular round of the CSDA Debating competition saw our 12 CSDA teams come up against St Pat’s in the final Saint of Origin Round with the Debate of Origin. It was a fiercely contested round, with Pat’s eventually finishing as the victors. It was fantastic to see so many parents, staff, friends and families supporting all of our teams and seeing the skills of the Santa debaters on show.

After the six rounds, three teams progressed into the finals rounds. The Year 7A team and Year 11A sides progressed through to the Elimination Rounds and the Year 10A, who remained undefeated for the regular rounds, progressed straight through to the Quarter finals, which will be held in Week 1 of Term 3. Our Year 7A side was unfortunately knocked out in Elimination 1 and our 11As won both of their Elimination rounds and will join the 10As in the Quarter Finals.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the CSDA competition this year. It was great to have so many rounds go ahead in person after many interrupted and online seasons. Thank you to the coaches and adjudicators for their dedication and the families for their support of the Program.

A special mention to our Year 12s who have shown great commitment to debating over their many years at the College. We hope to see many of them return next year in coaching and adjudicating roles.

Archdale Debating

The Archdale debating teams have finished the first five rounds of the IGSA competition, and all teams have had success, working on their skills week in and week out. For now, the competition takes a break until Week 2, Term 3, with 2 remaining regular rounds before the finals. We wish the teams the best of luck for the remaining rounds and we hope to see many progressing through to the finals.

NSW Plain English Speaking Award

Congratulations to Molly Hoogland who has made it all the way to the State Final of the NSW Plain English Speaking Award. The Award has required Molly to deliver an eight-minute speech on a topic of her choice, as well as having to present an impromptu speech on a topic of the adjudicators choice, with three minutes preparation time. The State final will be held on Thursday 22 June at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre in Surry Hills.

IGSA Festival of Speech

The IGSA Festival of Speech will be held again in Term 4, and we are hoping to increase our team of Santa students representing the College. Please keep an eye out on the Debating and Public Speaking VO page for information and an expression of interest form.

Rachael Simmons
Assistant Director of Sport and Co-curricular Activities