Mullauna Links

Debating News

August 2023

Our Grade A Team is through to the State Finals.....this is an outstanding result.

An amazingly successful evening of debating in the final round of the Ringwood Region Debates.

 

Grade A (Matilda Ridgway, Casper Potgieter-Strachan and

 Andrew Fankhauser, with Alex Sayle in support) won in a highly entertaining and engaging debate against Luther College on the secret topic:

‘That Reality TV does more harm than good.’ (Affirmative)

  • Andrew Fankhauser was declared Best Speaker.
  • This ensures their entrance to the State Finals.
  • They sit 2 points above their competition on the ladder. 

 

Grade B (Nooshin Khaleghi Sohi, Lauren Baker, and Jeseca Goda) had a resounding win against Yarra Valley Grammar School with the secret topic: 

‘That extreme sports should be removed from the Olympics.’ (Affirmative)

 

 

Grade C (Angus Pappas, Leroy Szabo and Bryn Norris) did not win on the night, duking it out with Mount Lilydale Mercy College. Topic:

‘That medical professionals should not be allowed to strike.’ (Affirmative) 

  • They spoke very strongly and with great Manner. 

Grade D (Floyd Dahmen, Teiva Levy and Taylor Cameron) were triumphant against Heathmont College with the topic: 

‘That we regret the use of participation awards.’ (Negative)

 

 

3 out of 4 - Mullauna College once again proves its mettle!

 

Our Grade A joined the prestigious Deakin Debate Day at Deakin University during their school break. They competed against the top teams from around Melbourne. There was fierce, but friendly, competition.

Round One: ‘That we should raise the age of criminal responsibility in Victoria.’ (Affirmative).  St Kevin’s forfeited.

Round Two: ‘That animal welfare laws should offer the same protections to farmed animals and domestic pets.’(Negative). Melbourne Grammar won this time.

Round Three: ‘That judges should consider algorithms that predict rates of                   re-offending (e.g., COMPAS) when sentencing offenders.’ (Affirmative). Nossal took the debate, but our team was exceptional. 

In other superb news, Alex Sayle is now a trained debate adjudicator for the Debating Association of Victoria. 

 

Thanks again to my fellow coaches; Wayne Howell, who supported the B Grade students, and Alister Graham, mentor to the D Grade team.

 

Tamsin Davidson

Debating coach and coordinator

Head of the English Faculty