Around the School

Finally, debating returns

For some of our Novice speakers it was a long wait, but the 2025 WADL Debating season has begun and we have already secured a win. 

The first round of debates is always a trial of fire. There are so many aspects of debating that only make complete sense after you have “entered the ring”. It always brings me great joy to note the energy that our students bring to preparing their cases, but what impresses me the most is the way students deal with defeat. There is much to be gained in dealing with defeat. Indeed, it may be argued that one of the great benefits of debating is the way it teaches students to harness resilience. Few of us can think of any great success stories, be they entertainers, politicians, sportspeople or business leaders, who achieved success without overcoming challenges. It may be argued that those who achieve success were inevitably those who were best able to reflect on defeat. 

In the first debate, both of our Novice teams argued the affirmative position on the motion: ‘This House prefers online learning to in-person learning’.

The St George’s Two team - Emmeline Tribbick, Amy Stapley-Oh and Leilah Pooley - narrowly lost to the Scotch One team. While across the hall, the St George’s One team - Mason Shoobridge, Christian Lustig, Milo Gorman and Xavier Koirala (support) - debated the same motion, defeating the Scotch Four team and earning us our first win. 

Meanwhile, our St George’s Senior Team of Alfred Keane, Diya Makwana and Lawson Forester were defeated in their first debate for the season over the motion that “This house, as a climate activist, would pursue cyber-attacks against polluting companies that have historically ignored lobbying’’.

I have long claimed that students learn as much about themselves, from debating, as they learn about debating, and this week’s Round Two debates against Scotch College did nothing to dispel me of his belief. Mark Twain once wisely observed that “courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear”. Twain’s advice was writ large over Griffin Bingham’s face from the moment he was called upon, as a last-minute substitute debater. I would like to congratulate him for the courage he showed; for his grace under pressure.

Congratulations are due as well to the St George’s One team: Mason Shoobridge, Emmeline Tribbick, Harper Pope and Leilah Pooley, who triumphed over Scotch Four debating against the motion that: This house supports the popular use of platonic AI companions. Commiserations are due to our St George’s Two team: Evan Ruffles, Angus McAullay, Xavier Koirala and Griffin Bingham - who were defeated by Scotch Two.

Thank you very much to the families who came out to support our debaters. We command an impressive cheer squad; win or lose.

Mr Damien Kerrigan

Head of Learning Area - English and Languages

Draconic Defenders begin Mock Trials

Our Mock Trial team, the Draconic Defenders, competed in the first round of the WA Law Society’s Mock Trial Competition. Facing off against Wesley College, our team took on the role of the Prosecution in a gripping legal battle over an alleged shoplifting incident. The case centred around a law student and social media cosmetics influencer accused of stealing a $600 face cream. The Defence argued that she had absentmindedly placed the item in her bag and rushed out of the store in a hurry to make it to an exam, while our prosecution team worked hard to prove that this was no simple mistake.

Representing the Draconic Defenders, Fred Keane delivered a strong opening statement as one of our barristers, with Cooper Grant providing key support as the team’s solicitor. Isabelle Seymour took on the role of the store owner from Unicorn Cosmetics, while Maisy Liddy-Morrow played the security guard, both providing compelling witness testimonies. Diya Makwana gave a powerful closing statement as barrister, and Zoe Ratcliffe kept proceedings running as the court orderly. Indi Caudo, Izabella Kodituwakku, Ashot Markosyan and Blake Pearce joined the team at the Supreme Court to watch the trial. 

Despite presenting well-structured arguments and challenging the defence’s claims, the high burden of proof—beyond reasonable doubt—proved difficult to meet. As a result, the judge dismissed the charges, and Wesley College ultimately claimed victory, earning slightly more points in the final tally.

While the result was not in our favour, the Draconic Defenders walked away with valuable experience and key lessons that will strengthen our approach in the next round. We are proud of our team’s performance and look forward to our next opportunity to prove ourselves in court.

Mr Ken Maddess

Head of Learning Area – HASS

"Intern Adventures" – Creative Arts

This week St George's Marketing Department Intern PIPER HARVEY popped into an Art Class – and here’s what she found . . .

Creative projects aplenty are unfolding in the Art Department, with students producing impressive portfolios that showcase their individual talents, innovation and hard work throughout the term. 

A standout project for the Year 8 students is their exploration of the captivating works of renowned local artist Shaun Tan. Focusing on Tan’s thought-provoking and often surreal art, students are expressing their creativity through a hands-on sculpture project, crafting their own “lost or found things” in ceramics. Using hand-building techniques and clay construction, each student will create a unique sculpture that reflects their personal interpretation of Tan's work. 

Meanwhile, the Year 12 students are diligently working away on their portfolios in preparation for their final assessments at the end of the year. 

These artistic efforts will be among the many artworks on display later in the year during the school's highly anticipated Creative Arts Exhibition in the city in October. This exhibition will provide an opportunity for the entire school community to appreciate the students' talent and the depth of their artistic exploration. From vibrant, hand-crafted sculptures to striking portraits, the students' work will offer a glimpse into their artistic minds. We are looking forward to it!

Miss Piper Harvey

Marketing Intern (Notre Dame University)