Debating

At the end of Week 2 this term, the Ben Venue Blue debating team took on the challenge of convincing an adjudicating panel that all schools having self-defence classes was a bad idea. Standing in opposition were the former regional champions of the Armidale City Honour team. 

The Armidale City team argued strongly in favour of self-defence classes, putting forward well structured and compelling points. However it was the strong rebuttal of the Ben Venue team that minimised or negated each of these points and allowed our position on the issue to persuade the adjudicators, leading to the crowning of our debating team as champions of the New England region.

Our debaters will now travel to Sydney to compete in the state finals later this month. The team would like to recognise and thank Liam Flannagan, who has been constantly ready to fill in when required as the team reserve, including speaking as part of the win against Armidale City recently.

We also wish Vincent Arakaki the best of luck and learning while he is in Sydney this week as a member of the regional debating team he was selected into last term.

Cam Pryce

Debating coach