Shelford Debaters

It is with great pride and pleasure that I introduce the Year 10 debating team that were victors in the C Grade Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) competition: Wendy Z, Jessica O, Finley R, Roshni W, Thanya V and Alice J. The team of Wendy, Jessica and Finley defeated Melbourne Grammar School at the grand final on the night of Thursday 27 October in a unanimous decision by the adjudicators to win the championship. 

The debating season began in March, this was truly a marathon effort for the entire team; they are commended on their hard work, dedication and determination which was unwavering across the past 10 months. The students progressed through the initial five rounds, the playoffs, the octo-finals, the quarter-finals and the semi-finals before making it to the much-anticipated grand final. Along the way, the team would meet with myself, meet with each other, discuss ideas with other teachers and catch up after school including the weekends to ensure they were best prepared to tackle their topic. 

At times the team was faced with debating a stance on a topic that didn’t necessarily align with their own views. However, they showed maturity beyond their years in their genuine desire to understand a perspective that may have been foreign to them. As a coach, I take it upon myself to encourage the team to understand that a point of view they disagree with isn’t necessarily ‘wrong’, but rather a view that is not their own. One of the highlights across the year was watching the team come to this understanding and grasp a difficult concept that remains out of reach for many, adults included. Living in a world where ideological division seems to be increasing, this truly is one of the lifelong advantages of participating in debating: understanding nuance in complex issues, gaining new perspectives and increasing one’s capacity to empathise with those who have opposing views.

I would like to thank the girls for their tireless efforts, Chanie S for her role as Shelford Debating coordinator, all the teachers who’ve helped and supported along the way and Principal Katrina Brennan for building lots of hype with her emails and announcements to staff and students. There was a lot of excitement and anticipation which made the victory all the more rewarding.

It has been an absolute joy coaching this wonderful team.

Glen Trevaskis

English Teacher