Debating

Over the past 3 terms, St Andrews College has been competing in the 2022 CSDA Debating Competition. It has been a phenomenal season with our debaters going above and beyond by giving up their Friday nights to debate both in person and over Zoom and compete in multiple rounds of the competition. Our debating season culminated in great success with our 7A team winning their Grand Final and taking home the trophy for the Year 7 division of the competition.

Debating uses the skills of argument to debate and discuss important issues about our beliefs, government policies and proposals on how to improve the world or face up to problems in society. Debating builds a unique set of skills, helping students to analyse problems, think critically, synthesize arguments and present these ideas in a clear and convincing manner. Most importantly, it is a fun and enjoyable experience for all students involved!

Our debaters have shown tremendous skill and dedication throughout the competition and they are all to be commended on a wonderful season of debating.

The 2022 Debating Teams consisted of the following students:

7A – Georgia Nash, Aishriya Lal, Nina Iskaov

7B – Ellie Sibir, Mehgan Bartlett, Gabriella Azar

8A – Samuel Thoms, Ana Donjerkovic, Gowri Madhisetty

8B – Archisha Thumma, Aaron Geevarghese, Aarshia Saheba

9A – Elyscia Barret, Alexandra Marasigan, Isabelle Metcalfe 

9B – Aditya Rawal, Raphaella Thimiopolos-Wilson, Alexandra Iskander

10A – Jericho De Leon, Joshua Sammut, Euleila Barret

10B – Jeda Osorio, Nicole Cabale, Alastair Pineda

11A – Caitlyn Dela Cruz, Dorothy Anzoa, Ada Domingo

11B – Yashika Sharma, Theresia Purwadi, Kritika Aryal, Keya Pandya

Senior Opens A – Hayley O’Connor, Wasim Farah, Angela Abouchaaya

Senior Opens B – Aditi Pal, Viktoria Vidovic, Chegutdit Deng

Every single team debated to the best of their ability and it was fantastic to see them all improve each week. It was a very successful season for the College with the 7A, 9A, 9B, 11B and Senior Opens A debating teams making it through to the Elimination rounds. Our debating season culminated in great success with our 7A team winning their Grand Final and taking home the trophy for the Year 7 division of the competition.

During the season St Andrews College hosted 4 rounds of the debating competition and it was amazing to see so many students volunteer their time to act as chairpersons and timekeepers. Thank you so much to every single student who was involved and offered their assistance – particularly those students who helped out all 4 times! Also I would like to thank Mrs Melissa Welsh for providing the catering for each of these rounds.

St Andrews College would not be able to enter the Debating competition if it wasn’t for the wonderful staff at the College who gave up their time each week to

support the students. Thank you to all the staff who came to support our students at various times throughout the season. Another integral part of the debating process, and a part that the students most value is the time that staff members have taken to adjudicate debates throughout the season and act as a source of support and guidance. For this, I would like to thank Mr Duncan Dewar, Ms Simone McKechnie, Miss Cherry Malonzo, Miss Christina Rujicia, Mr Danny Cetinic, Mrs Frances Kramer, Ms Edwards and Miss Douglas. 

I would also like to thank Lachlan Sibir, Patrick Sheehan and Rachael Khalil who are past students of the College and whose love of debating had them volunteering to come back and adjudicate for the College.

Finally, I would like to thank Dr Kennaugh for his continuous support of the Debating Competition; all teams appreciate and value his support and guidance across the season.

Thank you once again to all students, staff members and parents for your support of the 2022 CSDA Debating Competition. It has been a wonderful season and I am immensely proud of the entire St Andrews College community.

Mrs Emily Parker
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator