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Debating keeps growing at Tension Woods College with the school entering its largest ever number of teams in the recent Debating Eisteddfods.

Six teams, comprised of students from Year 6 to 12 took on the challenge of public speaking. More than half of the students were either making their debating debut or in just their second debate, so the Eisteddfods were always going to be a valuable experience in developing their confidence and their skills. The Year 6 team of Sarah Van Rijthoven, Paul Hammond and Amelie Hayes made their debating debut exploring the topic ‘That all children should have pets’. Each student showed their personality and differing strengths which mark out an effective team in the making. This potential will keep developing as they gain more experience.

For the first time in nine years, the College entered teams into the Junior Secondary division. The boys team, consisting of first-timers Liam Nott along with Aiden Mustey argued the affirmative side of the topic ‘That it is not ethical to eat meat’, against Penola High School. Competing in your first debate is always a nerve-wracking experience, and the boys acquitted themselves well, going down by only a single point. The girls team, including Maddy Stevens, Amelia Taylor and Edie Jones, argued the negative side of the proposition ‘That debating is a waste of time’ against Grant High School. Not only were they persuasive and entertaining, winning the debate, but they went on to win the division as Best Junior Secondary Team, with Edie Jones awarded Best Junior Secondary Debater. An outstanding effort from both teams!

The Senior Secondary division had three entries from the College. Adele Prosperi-Porta, Jemima Aungon and Christian Denham argued affirmatively ‘That debating is a waste of time’ in their first ever debate, perhaps going against their own argument by winning the debate with humour! Thanks to Marilena Wilson for coaching this team. The team of Laura Cesario, Alex Brodie and Baie Perryman tackled the topic ‘That internet censorship is inappropriate’, convincingly outflanking and outthinking their opponents in their arguments and providing their usual mix of facts and fun. Baie backed up her outstanding third speaker performance by reading a speech written by Breydon Verryt-Reid in the next debate, ‘That our society is sick’, alongside Caitlyn Poel and Evangelia Wichmann. This team again developed a comprehensive case with great ideas and strong rebuttal, winning the debate and going on to win the Best Senior Secondary Team in the division. Evangelia Wichmann and Adele Prosperi-Porta were also joint runners-up as the best Senior Secondary Debaters.

While success onstage is always pleasing, the real achievements have been offstage. Students have pushed themselves, learned to work as teams, how to write effective speeches with strong arguments, develop the ability to predict and dissect opposing arguments and most pleasingly, develop a supportive environment to share ideas and experiences to establish a positive culture around public speaking. Many thanks also to James Gilham for his knowledge and input and Katrina Mott, for her rebuttal ideas and questioning of arguments. Next stop: the much-anticipated staff vs. student debate in Term 4!

Adam Taylor | Senior School Teacher

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