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SASS, SMARTS & STANDOUT SPEECHES: JUNIOR DEBATING WRAP-UP

Our Junior Debating Season, featuring enthusiastic Year 7 and Year 8 students, has come to a very successful close. Students began their journey with a dedicated Training Night, where they were introduced to the fundamentals of debating. They then put their new skills to the test across three competitive rounds held between 3 September and 29 October.

This year’s debating topics centred on environmental, educational and political issues, giving students the opportunity to engage with meaningful, real-world ideas. McKinnon students proudly debated against strong competitors from Wesley College, Caulfield Grammar, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and Glen Eira College.

Our McKinnon East Campus also had the pleasure of hosting the events, adding to the excitement, including a surprise visit from comedian Dave Hughes, who was momentarily lost while looking for his daughter who was competing! His unexpected appearance certainly added a memorable highlight to the season.

Our students performed exceptionally well, securing wins, earning Best Speaker awards, and even receiving a certificate for being undefeated across all rounds. Beyond the results, we were incredibly proud of the skills they developed: teamwork, critical thinking, punctuality, confidence, and the professionalism they showed in their smart McKinnon uniforms.

Most importantly, many students have expressed a strong interest in continuing debating next year which is a testament to their positive experiences and growing passion for public speaking.

Well done to all our McKinnon Junior Debaters!

Ms Zappner, Ms Catterall and Mrs Ozcagli

Maths Teachers