Page 108 - 2016 Yearbook

Debating

T his year, the Assumption debating team enjoyed a me. Although we had mixed bag of wins and losses, we certainly
enjoyed every debate and our final year of competing for ACK.
successful and entertaining season in the DAV competition.
We debated a range of topics, from whether we should “open Once the interschool competition was finished, preparations
all international borders” to the “legalisation of Uber” to the were underway for the debate of the annual Assumption Sacred
potential for “corporate sponsorship of schools”. It was our first Heart Exchange. Florence McKay, Edan Boyd and myself were
year competing in the Essendon region rather than in Watsonia, arguing that “sport has lost its way” against our opposition
and most teams enjoyed the more rigorous level of competition, in Adelaide. The competition was fierce, the adjudicating
even if this meant we came home with a few less wins. C grade questionable, and we ended up coming away with a loss.
debaters this year included Eve Van Rhine, Jack Holloway-Smith, Although this was a very disappointing result, we were proud of
Forest Nichols, Claire Bourne and Amber Lucas. All members of our efforts and are confident that next year, Assumption will be
the C grade team were able to greatly improve upon their skills able to dominate at home.
throughout the five rounds, and their strong teamwork ensured
them several successful nights. A testament to the positive Debating also featured during the Old Collegians Reunion Day,
attitude of the team was Forest’s ability to write a speech on the where our team debated against a team of past ACK students,
afternoon of the debate when someone unexpectedly pulled which also included our very own Mr Calvert. Although both
out, and still very nearly come away with best speaker. Another sides were well-argued, the students were able to come away
memorable performance was from three members of the B with a win this time.
Grade team – Reid Collier, Mike Washington and Edan Boyd, The past couple of years I’ve been involved in debating at ACK
who in their first ever debate, had a whopping 7 point win over have been incredibly enjoyable, and helped me improve my
Copperfield College, with Mike Washington also receiving best public speaking skills and ability to think on my feet. I would
speaker. strongly encourage any students entertaining the idea of joining
the team to do so, you’ll get an enormous amount out of it, and
One of our A grade teams this year was made up of year 11
students, including Stephanie Doyle, Gabrielle Meli, Tricia Marie five nights in a whole year certainly isn’t a difficult commitment
Mifsud and Brayden Corkhill. Their ability to match the standard of to make. On behalf of all the year 12s, good luck to all debaters
their opposition, who were mostly year 12s, was very impressive. next year, we’re sure you’ll continue to do Assumption proud.
The other A grade team consisted of Florence McKay, Zack Monica Kelly - captain
Pizzingrilli, Jesse Van Rhine, Tylar Crawford-Paige, Rhys Day and

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