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MCKINNON SECONDARY COLLEGE DEBATING TEAMS START THE 2025 COMPETITIONS WITH GUSTO!

Debating is a great opportunity for students to work in teams and under pressure, gain knowledge of diverse topics, develop impromptu arguing and most importantly, gain the confidence to speak publicly.

As part of the Debaters Association of Victoria Schools Competitions (Years 9 – 12), we have five registered teams representing McKinnon Secondary College this year: one from Year 11, two from Year 10 and two from Year 9.  

We hit off the first round of debates on Wednesday, 26 February at Brighton Grammar School between 7 pm to 9 pm. The topics ranged from ‘That all school and university exams should be open book’, ‘That tickets to all sporting events should be free’, and ‘That the government should prohibit businesses from being cashless’. Our students came well-prepared and argued convincingly for their side of the topic; so much so, that four of our five teams won!  

Students so far have shown great enthusiasm and commitment to spending weekly lunchtime sessions improving their speaking skills and researching the topics to be argued. Furthermore, they avail themselves for the nightly competitions held roughly every three weeks.  We are extremely proud of them.

The second round of debates will be held on Wednesday 12 March. 

We look forward to another successful night!

Andrea Zappner, Fusun Ozcagli & Jessica Catterall

Debating Co-ordinators