Students
Debating
Debating is a sport of arguments. It is public speaking at its most challenging, but also its most interesting, exciting and imaginative. It is about developing ideas, producing emotion in the listener, thinking on your feet and sounding like you know what the economy is even though you don’t. But above all, it’s a lot of fun. This year, we have been working hard to raise the profile of the mighty East debating faculty. A record number of teams participated in the New Zealand schools debating tournament this year, and have succeeded hugely.
Background
Debating is one of the many activities for students that are offered at East. It is a type of sport, played in teams of three. A topic is proposed at the beginning of the competition and each team is given a side. They then have to convincingly argue that side, with each speaker getting a turn to put their case to the judge. The winning team at the end of the debate is the one who presents the most clever and compelling argument. The topics vary hugely, from electoral systems to closing zoos to sponsoring children in the third world; and even metaphorical moots such as ‘it’s time for a change’.
Debating competitions for secondary school students are held throughout the year. There are many different grades of competition, ranging from junior grades to premier grades. There is also a Wellington team, who represents the region at the national debating championships. At this competition a team is chosen to compete for New Zealand at “worlds”, the world debating championships.
In 2009
Regionals
The Premiere team did wonderfully at regionals, with Julia Wells again being selected for the Wellington Secondary Schools Team which will go to nationals later this year.
Showcase Debate
The Premiere team took on (and lost to) a team of Social Sciences staff, debating the merits of 'being green'.
In 2008
Teams make Quarter and Semi Finals
This year Wellington East has had huge successes in debating. There were a record number of teams entered in the competitions and many of them have met with considerable success. Junior Certificate 1, Junior Premier, Senior Certificate 1 and Premier B all got through to the quarter finals in their grades, with Junior Certificate 1, Junior Premier and Premier B making it to the semi finals. Coming up soon is also a Year 9 inter-class debating tournament, debating many topics, including voluntary euthanasia, dairy prices and the ethics of animal testing.
Russell McVeagh Success
The Premier B team (Jessica Fulton, Julia Wells and Vanessa Bramwell, coach Ms Wards) also competed in the Wellington Regional Russell McVeagh competition. They lost to Marsden in the semifinals, coming fourth in the region. Julia Wells was awarded the prize for the most promising speaker at the tournament and was also selected for the Wellington team. In May she competed with this team in the New Zealand Schools Debating Championship, in which her team made it to the final. This was held in the legislative chamber at parliament, in front of a crowd of two hundred. Unfortunately they narrowly lost to Waikato, coming runners up in the competition.
Debating Dinner
We are currently working on organising a debating dinner for after the tournament, where prizes will be distributed and a mock debate will be held for entertainment between the Senior Prems and the teachers.
Links
This link contains details about New Zealand debating competitions
This link gives details about world debating competitions
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