Debating Update

Junior Debating – Semester Two Program

The Debaters’ Association of Victoria (DAV) offers the opportunity to students in Years 7 and 8 at schools in the Geelong Region to take part in an introductory program during second semester.

Dates for the program this year are as follows:

Training night: Thursday September 5th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Round 1: Thursday September 19th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm (this includes an Exhibition Debate after the fixture)

Round 2: Thursday October 17th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm (including a further Training Seminar immediately prior to the fixture)

Round 3: Thursday October 31st from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

What is required of student participants at SICG:

• a firm commitment to the full program including the three formal debates (no withdrawals are permitted as this is unfair on teammates and on students in other schools who prepare as expected for each fixture)
• attendance at all set lunchtime meetings on Mondays (from 2nd September through to 28th October) to prepare and rehearse speeches
• organization of own transport arrangements to and from the venue (Clonard College, 225 Church St, Herne Hill, Geelong); parents are welcome to attend the debates as members of the audience

All participants are assisted and supported with the preparation of their arguments and the rehearsal of their speeches. This ensures that students are equipped with the necessary skills and able to debate with confidence.

Any Year 7 or Year 8 student who is willing to take up the challenge of Debating and who is prepared to make the commitment required is asked to have a parent or guardian express their interest by emailing Mr Michael Tod: todm@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Expressions of interest close on Friday 30th August after which time the SICG Debating teams will be registered and organized. We look forward to fielding several teams for this program.

Ms Andrea Dart Senior Debating Co-ordinator and Mr Michael Tod Junior Debating Co-ordinator

Senior Debating

On Thursday 1st August, our Senior team gave a very good account of themselves in the final round of the DAV’s Geelong Region Schools’ Competition. Debating against Geelong College, the team tackled a secret topic with just one hour to prepare their case. We took the negative position with the topic being “That we should break up big technology companies”.

First speaker Nikita Page opened by arguing that founders of the companies deserve to have ongoing credit for their creativity and ingenuity and rebutted the affirmative team’s opening comments. Second speaker Noah Gullan continued with rebuttal and focused on the harmful effects of dismantling corporations. Our third speaker Madeleine Crothers rebutted strongly and summed up the negative case very well.

They were well supported by Joshua James who assisted with the development of their arguments during the preparation time. Speakers enjoyed the debate and had fun meeting their opponents who emerged with the points on this occasion. Picture in the Gallery image: from left, Madeleine Crothers (Year 12), Joshua James (Year 11), Noah Gullan (Year 11), and Nikita Page (Year 12).

Our students can be extremely proud of their efforts and their performance in representing SICG so capably. Overall the team finished in fourth place this year which is our best placing for some time and a creditable performance. Congratulations to our Senior Debaters on a wonderful series of performances this year.

At the moment our Senior Debaters are working to organize a Teacher Vs Student debate for Year 12s and planning the introduction of House Debating for students. Their enthusiasm and support for Debating is a mark of their exceptional leadership and their preparedness to take on a challenge.

Ms Andrea Dart Senior Debating Co-ordinator