Extracurricular Updates

Artwork: Marcus Wang, Year 10, Plenty Campus

Zara Cassidy, Year 11, Ridgeway Campus

The Debating Selection Tournament was my first real introduction to Ivanhoe Grammar School’s Debating Program, and it changed how I see public speaking and argument. In the beginning, I was nervous about structuring speeches, responding to rebuttals, and thinking on my feet, but as the weeks progressed, my confidence continued to grow. Each round I participated in challenged me to analyse complex topics, anticipate counterarguments, and work closely with my teammates in a challenging, high-stakes environment. 

The tournament ran over four weeks in ECP and is designed to identify speakers and organise them into teams for the school’s officially ranked debating teams. It allows coaches to fairly assess students’ skills in argument construction, delivery, teamwork, and adaptability before selecting representatives for interschool competitions. What I found most interesting about the tournament was how debates are not just about 'winning',  but rather about learning to see issues from multiple perspectives and building persuasive yet logical arguments. I especially enjoyed the collaborative preparation meetings, where brainstorming with teammates helped me structure my ideas and made the entire experience both challenging and rewarding.