2021 Debating SA Competition

In spite of a brief interruption and delay due to COVID-19 shut down and restrictions, we had the good fortune to be living in South Australia, and students were able to participate in a full season for this year’s competition.

This year, 22 enthusiastic and articulate students stepped up to form five teams: year 8, year 9, two year 10 teams and one senior team to represent Aberfoyle Park High School in the 2021 Competition. 

APHS 8 Blue – Coach Matt Froese

     Lacey 

     Elsren 

     Jess 

     Savva 

     Keira 

     Abbie 

     Alex 

APHS 9 Blue – Coach Vanda Farrall

    Ameerah 

    Kate 

    Ethan 

    Alex 

APHS 10 Blue – Coach Kate Lonergan

    Dan 

    Cadence 

    Konon 

    Reuben 

    Georgia 

APHS 10 Green – Coach Joff Sander

    Libby 

    Lachlan 

    Yuvraj 

    Mariko 

APHS Senior Blue – Coach Vanda Farrall

    Sinchi 

    Ashwin 

    Sev 

Each team committed to preparing and delivering insightful and well-structured arguments in up to five rounds of challenging Interschool debates.

These hardworking and dedicated teams and coaches put in many hours of their own time to prepare complex responses to a range of challenging social issues.

In the words of 8 Blue Team Coach, Matt Froese:

“Even when faced with losses, they showed great enthusiasm and resilience, and steadily improved their confidence and arguments throughout the season.

Special thanks to Savva and Elsren for outstanding commitment to the entire season”

It is a testimony to the talent and hard work of our students that they received many Best Speaker Awards over the five Rounds. In particular, Konon of APHS 10 Blue Team, who was awarded Best Speaker in every one of her rounds, won the “Best Speaker of the Year” Medal in her division of all year 10 debaters.

We are especially proud to congratulate both year 10 teams for winning through to the semi-finals of the competition, and to our school's 10 Green team who challenged St Dominic’s Priory College team at Parliament House on 25 September, achieving the honourable role of Runner-Up year 10 Team in the Grand Championship Debate for 2021,

 In the words of 10 Blue Team’s Coach, Kate Lonergan:

“As someone new to the world of debating, I was super impressed with both my team and the organisation as a whole. The topics covered required research, empathy, intelligence and a global mindset - not to mention public speaking skills. My team juggled all of these with grace, confidence and determination. If these are our future leaders, our world is in safe hands”.