GROUPS Debating
This year we were in the fortunate position of having four top-quality senior debaters, and so were able to field a four-person Senior A team. Ellie Stevenson, our team captain, formed the mainstay of the Senior A team this year, as well as representing Canterbury at the New Zealand nationals midway through the year. Joining Ellie on the A team were Year 12 students John-Paul Lay, Angad Vraich and Jamie Yee, who alternated speaking in second and third positions. On the whole, the team performed very well. We maintained a good standing in the Canterbury regional tournament, ultimately losing to St Andrew’s College 1 in a hotly contested final, with the adjudication panel split 2–1. Unfortunately, we faced losses in our two major interschool tournaments as well, coming second to both King’s College (away) and Otago Boys’ High School (home). We did, however, retain the
trophy in our annual showcase debate against St Margaret’s College on the humorous moot that “This House would storm Area 51”. Despite mixed results, the team is in fighting form and, after a year’s practice at A-grade debating, we expect to field a formidable side next year. John-Paul Lay has already been selected for the Canterbury
development team and will likely participate at nationals in 2020. The 2019 Canterbury coach has agreed to work with us on a part-time basis next year to provide some pointers, and we hope to achieve victory next year against all our major rivals.
Sian Evans MiC Debating
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Register 2019 Groups
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