The Greenway Cup

Ed Redlich, Year 12, Ridegway Campus

Debating has been one of my favourite extracurricular activities during my time at Ivanhoe. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be part of a group of equally keen students who participated in the Greenway Cup, an annual debate held between Ivanhoe Girls and Ivanhoe Grammar School Year 12 debaters. With only an hour of time to prepare arguments on a topic regarding the penalisation of companies responsible for product shortages, it was certainly a challenge to get up and speak confidently in front of a large audience, particularly on a topic I was unfamiliar with. I want to thank Rosa and Caitlin for their help constructing arguments and their assurance in the preparation room and congratulate Victoria and Natalia on their strong debates. While, this year, we could not secure the win we wanted for Ivanhoe, I am still proud of the debate we put forward as a collective team and thankful for the opportunity to push myself to speak, even on a topic which was alien to me. In the end, credit must be given to the strong speakers on the Ivanhoe Girls affirmative side who undoubtedly deserved the convincing win. We thank them for coming over to Ivanhoe to participate with us in this annual event. 

Debating at Ivanhoe

Nicole Risteski and Paru Sreena Rajesh, Year 11, Plenty Campus

Plenty has shown remarkable success in the recent High School Debating Championships (DAV), with our students' dedication and hard work earning them top positions across various grades. These outstanding results are a testament to the commitment our students have shown towards honing their critical thinking, public speaking, and intellectual skills.  

Understanding the DAV and How Debating Works  

The Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) is the largest debating organisation in the state, offering students from schools across Victoria a platform to engage in structured debates on a wide range of topics. The competition is divided into several grades, with teams from different schools competing in multiple rounds. Points are awarded based on the teams' performance in each debate, with those accumulating the highest scores advancing to the play-offs.  

In each debate, teams consist of three speakers who play distinct roles:  

●  First Speaker: The first speaker's role is to introduce the topic, outline the team's arguments, and define key terms. They set the foundation for the debate, presenting the team’s case and explaining the main points that will be developed by the following speakers.  

●  Second Speaker: The second speaker builds on the first speaker's arguments, providing deeper analysis and evidence. They also begin to address and refute the opposing team's points, strengthening the team's position while demonstrating a thorough understanding of the topic.  

●  Third Speaker: The third speaker's role is to summarise and consolidate the team's arguments while focusing on rebutting the opposing team's points. They highlight the strengths of their own team’s case and point out the flaws in the opposition’s arguments, aiming to leave a strong final impression on the judges.  

The success of a debate relies on the coordination and effectiveness of all three speakers, each contributing to a cohesive and persuasive argument.  

Plenty Achievements A Grade:  

In the A Grade division, our Plenty Campus fielded two teams, both of which performed exceptionally well. Plenty 2 achieved a perfect score of 20 points, securing maximum points in all 5 rounds. Their consistent delivery of persuasive arguments and sharp debating skills is a direct reflection of the effort and focus they have put into their preparation, supported by the guidance of their dedicated coaches.  

B Grade:  

Our success extended into the B Grade division, where our students continued to excel. Plenty 1 matched the success of their A Grade peers with a flawless 16 points. Plenty 2 also demonstrated their commitment to excellence, earning 16 points and placing themselves among the top teams in this competitive division. Both teams are now preparing for the first round of the play-offs on Wednesday, the 4th of September, carrying with them the hard-earned results of their dedication and teamwork.  

C Grade:  

In C Grade, Plenty 2 achieved another perfect score of 20 points, while Plenty 1 performed admirably, scoring 18 points. These achievements highlight the resilience, effort, and growing expertise of our students, who have consistently worked to improve their debating skills.  

The outstanding results achieved by our students across A, B, and C Grade in the High School Debating Championships (DAV) reflect the dedication and perseverance that have been at the core of their success. Each debate has been a testament to their hard work, and as they move forward to the play-offs, they do so with the knowledge that their commitment has truly paid off. Congratulations to all our debaters and coaches—your dedication has made all the difference.