Debating Success

Darwin High fielded five teams in the 2016 school debating competition and we once again won the competition. Students debated topics on a range of issues, from drugs in sport to welfare payments, over five rounds of competition. The winning team consisted of Eddie Gardiner, Sage Walle, Nisangi Wijesinghe, Mark Jerusalem and Emma Stevens. Eddie Gardiner was awarded best speaker for the competition. Three members of the winning team, Eddie, Sage and Nisangi have been selected in the NT Debating Team and will attend the National Debating Championships in Sydney.

Dedicated staff from the English/Humanities faculty volunteered their time to coach 30 students in the five teams. Special thanks to Kate Leadbeater, Ashleigh Casey, Shele Parker and John Shield for coaching teams. Each Tuesday after school, debaters and coaches travelled to Casuarina Senior College to compete against schools in the Darwin region. The competition was also a rewarding experience for the teachers, watching some otherwise reserved students rise to the challenge of debating difficult topics.

The grand final was held at Parliament House on April 26. The topic for the final was “that film and television studios should cast LGBTIQ people in LGBTIQ roles”. It was a difficult topic for the students, who researched affirmative action programs and rights movements in preparation for the debate. The Darwin High team won the affirmative case by a narrow margin on a split decision from the adjudicators. It was an exciting win!

The Darwin debating competition is one of friendly rivalry among students from various schools. It is a testament to the maturity of our students that they can interact respectfully with their peers from all over Darwin. Any students wishing to participate in debating for 2017 should speak with Mr Cameron in the English/Humanities faculty. Well done to all involved.

Image: Eddie Gardiner, Mark Jerusalem, Emma Stevens and Bruce Cameron with the trophy.