Debating

Throughout Term 2, the Kew High School Debating teams have been working hard preparing for and competing in debates in the DAV regional competition. Debaters have developed their critical thinking and logic skills, and improved significantly their ability to think on their feet, especially when writing rebuttal arguments. Working in a team is an essential part of debating, and it has been wonderful to watch members of all teams collaborate with and support one another while preparing for competitions, as well as during the sometimes stressful debates themselves.

Our B Grade team were victorious in their first secret topic debate in May, where they had only an hour to plan a debate arguing ‘that new buildings should have to pass a beauty test.’ Our 6 D grade teams, made up of students from year 7 and 8, have won a number of debates, with many others losing by only a point or two. Topics debated this term include ‘that we should abolish standardised testing (eg. NAPLAN)’ and ‘that convicted criminals should not be allowed to publish accounts of their crimes’. Several students have been named ‘best speaker’ by the adjudicator of their debates, after receiving the top score for their debating matter, manner, and method. Students awarded best speaker include Robert Garner, Elizabeth Rogers, Sunday Booth, Leo Lewi-Smith, Ferdinand Faeth, and James Pringle.

Teams will participate in one more debate in term 3 before the end of the regional competition. Well done to all those who participated.

Expect more public speaking events and opportunities in semester 2