Debating is a much-loved co-curricular activity at Tintern and is open to eager students from Years 7 – 12. The Year 8 to 12 competition is hosted at Tintern and teams from schools across the Ringwood region debate from Terms 1 to 3. The friendly competition between schools creates an exciting environment on debating nights.
As Debating Captains, we were able to work with students from other Year levels and really enjoyed getting to know them and help them throughout the year. We coached a D grade team, and helped to set up the Senior College and sometimes the Science buildings by adding labels to help visiting students find their debating rooms. Coaching the D grade team was enjoyable, and it was an enriching learning experience and challenge, as we helped our team to build their arguments and prepare rebuttals for their debates.
Two Tintern teams, C grade and Tintern 2 D grade, made it to the finals this year, the first round of which is called the playoffs. Both teams lost their final, but they gained much from the experience and will be back again next year, we are sure. Making the finals is very impressive as this puts them in the top 30 teams in the state for their age group.
The Junior Secondary debating program will again be held at Donvale Christian College during Term 4. Last year it was most successful, with 24 Year 7 and 8 students from Tintern learning all about how to debate, then trying their skills in 3 friendly debates against other schools. This program is an excellent way for students to start their debating journey.
Thank you to all A to D grade debaters for their dedication and enthusiasm throughout the year. Congratulations on a fantastic 2023 season! Well done to the C grade and D grade team, who made it to the finals.
Thank you to Mrs Derry and all of the incredible coaches, Ms Kouchek, Mrs Wallace, Mr Henderson and Ms Mendonca, who make this event possible. We are so grateful for your support through the countless hours of preparation prior to the nights and for your support on debating nights.
Zara Jansz, Salma Maher and Anika Mulemane | Debating Captains
