General News

SIS Debating 2021

This year debating was about to begin just as our lockdown season began, however our resilient and verbose students stayed the course and we were able to enter 4 teams for both rounds:

We had a lot of success with four of our students winning Best Speaker: Bianca Mercado, Nityasrii, Alannah Egan and Sam Franks. Students debated on why everyone should be vegans, why teachers should be vaccinated and why single use plastics should not be banned. They challenged their analytical thinking and extended their creativity whilst collaborating and having a ball. For some students this was their final year after many years of competing and for others it was their first challenging experience. We are very proud of you all and Mr Barton and I were heartened by your enthusiasm and good sportsmanship. 

Bernadette McDermott

Learning Adjustment Leader Exceptional Learners

“Debating is and has always been something to look forward to each year. It’s an opportunity to get out of our comfort zones and make interesting cases regarding the assigned topics. It’s always a pleasure to meet new people. Although this year the zoom experience was very different, it gave us exposure to a different atmosphere. We were challenged to adapt, which was just a good boost to our resilience. It was an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience and I’m so grateful that regardless of the COVID-19 implications we were still able to have two amazing rounds of debating.”   

- Aishwarya

“Debating over Zoom was an unusual, yet enjoyable experience and was a way we all got to know each other through being out of our comfort zones. The assigned topics were interesting and provided insight into different perspectives of controversial topics. The zoom experience was challenging and with internet connection issues, the stress was surreal for me. However, regardless, this experience was definitely a highlight and provided a change in the rhythmic timetable for school. It was definitely a confidence booster and it was great to have the support of the teachers and other debaters across both days.”  

- Gurvisha Singh

“Debating over zoom was epic,  and our team worked well. Debating over zoom was pretty epic, and I got a victory royale, our team worked well together, and overall it made lockdown a little better, and gave me something to look forward to when I woke up in the morning, better than every single day turning into a zoom-filled slog, anyway. Shout out to Mr Barton for helping us out.” 

-Vasu Kaushal 

“Although debating through zoom is new territory, it was actually unexpectedly fun! It was really nice to talk to other schools and get their perspectives of online learning. It was great to connect with other people in a really isolated time. As an intermediate student that stepped up to senior, it was a shock to see how different debating was, the topics, the people, the way everyone spoke. I learnt a lot on how to improve my debating from older debaters and overall a great thing to do during lockdown.”  

- Sam Franks

“Overall, debating this year was a unique yet fun experience, especially due to the debate being online. Talking with our cameras on was nerve-racking at first, but as I gradually completed the debate speeches, I became more comfortable in speaking. During the entire debate, I was able to learn and develop new skills I would be able to use in other oral presentations. Yes, it can be anxiety-inducing in the beginning, but as time progresses, it will be worthwhile.”   

- Bianca Mercado

“It was definitely a new experience, but not one I didn’t enjoy. Seeing ourselves improve really made me have a sense of pride. My first debate was confusing if I’m being honest. I was about to cry during my speech. It was hard, but it was just the start of something better. I told myself to improve, and I looked at myself, and genuinely said, “I need to be confident.” My second debate was planned, and I messed up in the middle. This time however, was much more comforting, and I had a chance to go again. I then realised the most important part of debating, Growth. I improved, and promised myself to keep doing so. I listened to the people around me and told myself to believe in myself, which led to our first win. We had to work together, and help each other. Everyone was there, for each other, and it’s definitely something that I’ll never forget.”  

- Nityasrii

“I had a great time! I got great advice from some of the senior students. I was able to meet some really awesome people in our school to help break up the drudgery of my normal school routine. It was definitely something I’d want to do again. I also got a lot of new inside jokes. There are definitely worse things in the world.”  

- Charli Williams

“I enjoyed being a part of debating. It was fun, a little nerve racking but exciting. I liked using the feedback from the adjudicators to improve my debates. It was stressful at times but I would definitely do it again. My team was very encouraging and kind. I really liked the whole experience and the support was incredible.”   

- James Cortese

“Taking part in debating on zoom was a different experience, I found it to be a very enjoyable experience though. It was different to being there in person, but I'm still not sure if it was easier or harder on my nerves.  My team had a mixed result, but we were all incredibly proud of our efforts.  I look forward to continuing to take part in SIS debating in the future.”    

-  Alannah

“Debating over zoom this year was so different to the usual in person day! But it was really fun, to be able to work with new people in our teams and also chat with heaps of other schools after the seriousness of the debate was over - something different for remote learning.”   

- Bonny

“Participating in this year's debates was different yet fun. I found that because the debates were online we had an advantage of not messing up our speech with cue cards and we had more time to prepare for the topics but, nothing was more stressful than turning on our camera. It was a unique experience and I enjoyed the struggles and successes. Personally, debating this year was the highlight of remote learning this year.  Thank You to Mr Barton and Mrs McDermott for helping and supporting us.” 

- Harmanpreet Kaur 

Mark Sinclair

Romero House Leader & Senior Mathematics - Cranbourne Campus

As you know, parenting is a tough job! We use an evidence-based program which adopts a strengths perspective, encouraging parents to recognise that they are the experts of their family’s needs and challenges, and are best placed to identify parenting strategies that will be most useful to them.  With the programs being offered in a group setting, parents have the opportunity to learn from, and support one another, which is a very empowering process.

Please note that these are not the only programs available.  Parents who are interested in obtaining more information about other options (topics and/or days/times which are more suited to their needs and schedules) may make enquiries to Parentzone, or explore the options available via the Website.  Unfortunately, we anticipate most of our programs being offered online in Term 4, although we are hopeful that restrictions will ease and allow us to offer the extended programs face to face.

Carey Cole (she/her)

Parent Resource Coordinator, Parentzone South (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday)

Education Specialist, TEACHaR South (Tuesday)

p: 1800 319 353   m: 0437 428 281  w: anglicarevic.org.au