From the Coordinator Debating & Public Speaking

Throughout this term St Andrews College has been competing in the 2020 CSDA Debating Competition. It has proven to be a challenging season filled with modifications and adaptations due to COVID-19. But our students have risen wonderfully to the occasion and demonstrated dedication to this competition. Overall it has been a phenomenal season with our debaters going above and beyond by giving up their Friday afternoons to debate both in person and over Zoom and compete in multiple rounds 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 2020 Debating Teams consisted of the following students:

7A – Caitlin Donavon, Aditya Rawal, Raphaella Thimiopoulos-Wilson

7B – Makoi Malual, Elyscia Barret, Isabelle Metcalfe

8A – Emma Croser, Joshua Sammut, Euleila Barret

8B – Alexus Romeno, Jeda Osorio, Jericho De Leon

9A – Josiah Prasad, Niamh Healy, Theresia Purwadi

9B – Ayush Goyal, Yashika Sharma, Caitlyn Dela Cruz

10A – Hayley O’Connor, Angela Abouchaaya, Viktoria Vidovic

10B – Wasim Rahman, Chegutdit Deng, Aditi Pal

Senior A – Hashwitaa Maynoor, Maheka Karunaratne, Phoebe Bibon

Senior B  – Shreya Bhaskar, Charisse De Mesa, Patrick Healy

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 8A, 8B, 9A,10A and 10B teams all making it through to the Quarter Final rounds. This is an amazing and hard-earned achievement!

Our 10A team will compete in their Semi-Final round this Friday. We wish them luck this week!

During the season St Andrews College hosted a number rounds of the debating Competition; including over Zoom, 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 numerous times!

The following students have given up their time this year to support their fellow students and assist in the competition:

Year 12 - Owen Walker, Sahibjot Nijjar, Shivani Raman, Zodiac Prasad, Rachel Khalil, Arop Leek, Paige Henry, Pokua Antwi, Anok Angok, Mariah Radovu, Tolu Ajayi

Year 11 - Maryssa Ghazaleh, Emilia Milas, Angelo Marasigan, Maiah Lazaro, Natalie Boustani, Bilgi Erren, Olivia Ciocca, Vila Hokafonu

Year 10 - Jasmine Zolerick, Shanuken Ramesh, Aditi Pal, Katelyn Calia, Wasim Rahman, Nicola Ciocca

Year 9 - Ava Alley, Bianca Infante, Ada Domingo, Jackson Sibir, Ferdinand Cordoba, Sabrina Tomas

Year 8 - Alyssa Guillermo, Chloe Garcia, Patricia Tuazon, Frienczel Espino

Year 7 - Tewodros Worku, Ava Bylsma, Alexandra Marasigan, Youssef Tannous, Amik Marok, Hamish Seymon, Luke Smith, Rachel Laycock

The experience of being a debating helper and the gratitude to these wonderful helpers, was beautifully outlined by Year 12 student Owen Walker. Owen has been a long time helper at debating and penned a lovely letter, thanking his fellow helpers for enriching his experience at the College.

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I’m Owen, of Year 12 of this school. I’m not a debater, never has, never will be, but I like to do what I can to show how I care for this club. I have been at this school for nearly six years, when I started here in Year 7, I was an outcast, because I didn’t know anyone here who I went to primary school with and I was too shy and nervous to try and talk to anyone else but as things progressed and people starting opening up to let me in, I was able to some extent, break free from my shell and join in some school events that normally I wouldn’t be able to enjoy to its full potential. I was able to get to know a lot of people that I wish I knew when I started in Year 7, overtime I made friends and overtime I lost them, some of which are too frustrating to even explain and hold myself together for. Needless to say, deciding to join this club, not as a debater, because I can debate sometimes, I just can’t write extended responses that are supposed to last for more than five minutes, I mainly joined because I had friends who were debating and I wanted to do what I can possibly do to support and assist them, even if everything leading up to this night were to be in vain (It probably is). If I knew what I was getting myself into and how the people were by being a part of this club, I would’ve joined years ago, but that’s another story. I had my ups and downs throughout the years, but this club was probably the only thing I’ve actually been looking forward to at all this year, in fact I enjoyed this club so much last year that I couldn’t wait to come back for this year, it was shorter than I would’ve liked because of the (completely) unexpected arrival of the Coronavirus but you know things happen and all that so you just have to make do of what you have left. It’s my last night here and there are some people here who I may never see again after tonight, it was nice knowing you while it lasted. So I want to say thank you for this club and Miss Pett for hosting this club.”

By Owen Walker, Year 12 2020

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 the following staff for coming to support our students at various times throughout the season, Mrs Utoikamanu, Miss Chang, Mrs Welch, Mr Thrum, Mrs Osterlund and Mrs Cooper. 

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 Mrs Lyndal Simmonds, Mr Daniel Camilleri, Mr Duncan Dewar, Mr Jarryd Leaves, Ms Simone McKechnie, Miss Cherry Malonzo, Miss Christina Rujicia and Miss Silvana Dahdah.

I would also like to thank Mickaella Douglas, Lachlan Sibir, Martin Healy and Patrick Sheehan, 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 Mr Kennaugh for his continuous support of the Debating Competition; all teams appreciate and value of his support and guidance across the season.

Thank you once again to all students, staff members and parents for your support of the 2020 CSDA Debating Competition. It has been a wonderful season and I am immensely proud of the entire St Andrews College community.

Miss Emily Pett
Leader of Learning Wellbeing - Year 10
Public Speaking and Debating Coordinator