SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT College debaters success
The premier College debating team won the prestigious Russell McVeagh Canterbury Schools’ Debating Championship in an intensive two-day tournament, held at the University of Canterbury in March.
As defending champions, the team of Wills Wynn Thomas, Henry Seaton and Fawzan Sugarwala were feeling the pressure, but remained undefeated throughout to take first prize and bring the Press Cup back to College. In addition, Wills Wynn Thomas was awarded the CSU Trophy for Best Speaker, and Wills, Henry and Fawzan were all selected for the Canterbury representative debating squad, which travels to Wellington in May for the Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools’ Debating Championship. Year 12 student Wills Wynn Thomas says preparation is key to
a successful debate, as is the ability to think analytically, construct an argument that considers all perspectives, and predict what the opposition might say. “Content and style, clarity of tone and intonation, are all important. It also helps if you can deliver your ideas in a persuasive manner and show why you are right and the opposition is wrong.” MiC Debating, Chloe Harland, says debating is going from strength to strength at College, with excellent coaching and a group of enthusiastic boys setting a very high standard. The premier team was selected on the basis of their
individual strengths, but with a view to how well they would work together and complement each other. “Watching them in the tournament was just poetry,” says Chloe. “They were quick-witted, articulate and intelligent – and, after six debates back to back, they really wanted the win.” College had two teams competing in the Canterbury regional debating tournament: Team 1 – Wills Wynn Thomas, Henry Seaton, Fawzan Sugarwala Team 2 – Nick Stevens, Thomas Walker, Josh Stevenson, Junie Wee.
College Issue 32 2017
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