Debating at Thomas Hassall is well and truly underway for the term.
As the new co-ordinator for debating and public speaking in the Senior School, it has been a crazy start to the year. However, I have been so encouraged. While the large percentage of debaters on the Year 9 and 10 MISA teams this year have never debated before, every student has risen to the challenge and worked hard both during the prep time and at home.
Round 1: Thomas Hassall vs St Carmel Catholic College. Both teams lost, but did brilliantly for their first debates.
Round 2: Year 9 vs Oran Park Anglican College, with a win and Year 10 vs St Benedict’s Catholic College, with a forfeit from the other team (win by technicality).
Next week will be Round 3, with both teams competing against St Francis’ Catholic College, our Year 9s on the topic of sport, while Year 10 discusses the pros and cons of the ATAR system.
Our HISCES Competition also begins next week.
The competition provides a bit more pressure, with often harder or more complex topics, and no prep time for the Year 11 team. Students are given one hour on the day to write their speeches with no access to the internet or computers, testing their general knowledge, teamwork and persuasive writing skills.
Our Year 7 and 8 team will compete against Shire Christian School, while Year 11 debates All Saints Christian College. We wish them all the best!
Finally, the public speaking competitions have started for the year, headed by our Year 8’s. Congratulations to India Wheatley, the female representative for Thomas Hassall, and Luke Logozzo, our male representative.
Further updates to come next term, along with other competitions for the older grades.
Mrs Patricia Guthrie
Senior School Teacher – English
