Debating News

An Update on Debating......

Once again, in Round Three of the Debaters’ Association of Victoria Regional Competition, our debaters shone in a tight field with all our participating teams coming away with wins!

"I am really enjoying being a part of the D Grade debating team! Both the challenges and teamwork involved in preparation for debates, and the electric atmosphere at debating nights, all make it quite fun." – Caitlin Fankhauser

This is thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of both our students, in their lunchtime meetings and through their teamwork outside school hours, and the parents who support them. Mullauna is certainly holding its own amongst the private schools.

“I have been enjoying the challenge of debating a topic against random people as the challenge of rebuttal and predicting what they will say is fun.” - Floyd Dahmen – D Grade debater

Round Three:

The A Grade team, comprising Casper Potgieter-Strachan, Alex Sayle and Matilda  Ridgway, had their first secret topic released one hour before the debate: ‘That the government should offer financial incentives to become vegetarian.’ Mullauna took the negative stance and won, in a high-quality debate, against Yarra Valley Grammar School. Congratulations to Alex Sayle who was awarded best speaker and Casper Potgieter-Strachan who was highly recommended.

B Grade Team

The B Grade team had a bye.

In Grade C, the team of Bryn Norris, Angus Pappas and Jasmine Armistead were given an advised topic on Technology & Innovation (an advised topic is a general theme provided before the round and the exact wording announced onsite one hour before the debate): ‘That companies should be required to offer a new service or produce one new good every year.’ and took the negative stance. They had a resounding win against Our Lady of Sion College. Angus Pappas was best speaker.

"Winning best speaker in the last debate was a great achievement, but winning our first debate as a team was the real highlight." - Angus Pappas

The D Grade team won the debate against Donvale Christian College arguing convincingly the negative on the topic: ‘That the government should prioritise funding the arts over sports.’  Team members Caitlin Fankhauser, Scarlett Scott and Lucy Gordon presented considered arguments, with Caitlin Fankhauser awarded best speaker.

Teiva Levy (D Grade) is “excited to take part in the next round of debating on June 7.”

A special thank you to the students Jasmine Armistead, Nooshin Khaleghi Sohi, Rasheed Korbatieh, Casper Potgeiter-Strachan, Bryn Norris and Morgan Sellers, who came on the Mullauna College Open Night to hold a live debate in mixed level teams with a secret topic: ‘That Australia should reduce its foreign aid spending.’ 

Also, thanks to my fellow coaches: Wayne Howell, who supported the B and C Grade students, and Alister Graham, mentor to the D Grade team.

Tamsin Davidson

Debating coach and coordinator

Head of the English Faculty