22 October 2020

Junior Debating Update

Article by Mr Michael Tod

Junior Debating Update

Round Two of the JSP debating competition took place on Thursday 10th September via Zoom.

Our Junior team, consisting of Year 7 student Georgia Neicho, and Year 8 students Curtis McCoughtry and Max Craven, once again took up the challenge to represent the school and make their case. Taking the negative position on the topic, ‘That we regret the use of participation awards’, the team, after a first round loss, were especially keen to test their oratory skills against their opposition, Haileybury College.

Georgia spoke with great poise as the first speaker, succinctly outlining the team’s case before demonstrating how fun runs were community events where participation, not winning, was the real victory. Curtis, as second speaker, coolly dismantled the opposition’s key arguments with great finesse. He then pointed out some psychological facts underpinning a person’s competitive nature and carefully explained how our survival as a species relied more on cooperation than competition.

Our third speaker, Max provided a witty and engaging summary of our team’s key arguments after thoroughly undermining the opposition’s case, dissecting their arguments with surgical precision. The adjudicator praised both teams and awarded the win to Saint Ignatius College.

Congratulations to our junior debaters for their marvellous performance and first victory. The support of all parents involved is also greatly appreciated.

Michael Tod Junior Debating Coordinator

Feature

Events