Debating & Public Speaking

Monash Asia Studies Debating Competition

Three teams of Huntingtower students took on schools from across Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT in this year’s Monash Asia Studies Debating competition. 

It was an intense debate that saw some of the strongest debaters from across the country assemble to take part. The tournament consisted of three prepared topic debates that focussed on issues currently confronting the wider Asian region. Debates ranged across whether TikTok should be banned, the impact of countries boycotting the Aghan cricket team, and the benefits of urbanisation on India. 

All teams did an exceptional job, but a special congratulations goes out to Jade H, Sophie L, Keira L, Prisha R, Ethan C, Sanula P and Nihar P, whose team remained undefeated and finished the tournament rounds ranked second overall on points, just two points off the leaders (out of a maximum of 720 points) after three debates. They will now progress in a final series of debates against the other three top teams in the competition: Melbourne Grammar, Presbyterian Ladies College (Melbourne), and North Sydney Boys High School. 

Well done as well to Sophie L and Nihar P, who finished as the first and third place overall speakers out of the over 200 competitors who took part. 

Lions Youth of the Year 

Earlier this term, Josie M represented the entirety of eastern Melbourne in the Lions Youth of the Year 2024 State Final.

It is exceptionally difficult to make it to this level of the competition, with the final five competitors from all corners of the state met in the goldfields town of Maryborough. They undertook a day of interviews that examined both their accomplishments and their knowledge of the world around them. Then, the final public speaking round required Josie to speak off-the-cuff about what things make the future optimistic and what is needed to increase tolerance in the world, before she presented a heartfelt and passionate speech on the value that multiculturalism brings to society and the need to respect this value aspect of Australia’s identity. 

Josie did an outstanding job, only missing out on taking that state championship by the narrowest of possible margins. We congratulate her on a truly excellent performance, and we are all extremely proud of her achievements.

Rotary Ainger Peck Award

Congratulations to Grace T and Chloe D who, after placing first and third respectively in their hotly-contested heats, have earned a place in the state final of the Rotary Aigner Peck Award. 

This unique public speaking competition focuses entirely on the delivery of speeches, which results in some diverse approaches: Grace gave a humorous plea to mathematics to stop using letters, while Chloe spoke passionately about the need for young people to share their voice. 

Students from across the city are eager to participate in this competition, and the State Final sees the top ten speakers assemble for a night of highly engaging oration. Congratulations to everyone who participated, and we wish Grace and Chloe well as they proceed into this final round!

DAV Public Speaking

Over the past several weeks, teams of Huntingtower students from across Years 7 to 12 have been competing in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior DAV Public Speaking Competition. 

It was great to see the huge enthusiasm amongst Huntingtower students to take part, and the diverse range of topics that they felt passionately about, branching across such diverse issues as gambling, environmentalism, agism, nuclear proliferation, procrastination, technology addiction, the cost of living, racism in sport, and the insect apocalypse.  Students also had to speak at short notice on a series of impromptu topics, which tested their critical thinking and communication abilities. 

The competitions were all highly contested with some extremely good public speaking on display, giving everyone involved the opportunity to both voice their views, but also listen to and learn from others. It was a fantastic opportunity for our young people to see the different passions that they all hold, and to support and learn from each other as they seek to find ways to make their views held. 

Well done to all of our students for their enthusiasm, commitment and great performances, and we wish them luck with their future public speaking journeys! 

Mr Matthew McDonald

Director of Student Communication and Engagement