CSDA Round Four

On Friday 14 August, we hosted St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove online via Zoom for our final debate of the CSDA season. Prior to Friday, our training session focused on the use of high modality vocabulary to increase the impact of an argument, as well as the revision of all feedback that had been provided by adjudicators for the season thus far. When Friday night came along, several teams were able to use this new skill of high modality to their advantage. This week, we had two different topics:

• 7-10: That TikTok should be stopped
• Senior: That we are on the verge of a revolution

These were highly relevant and challenging topics that required maturity and a critical mindset to tackle adequately. It was pleasing to hear the adjudicators praise our rebuttal, as the ability to listen and critically summarise the argument of the other team was evident across multiple debates. This week, we won five of the ten debates. Congratulations to the 7A, 8A, 10A, 10B and Senior A for their wins. A special mention to Romina A, Meghan W and Emeline L of 8A who, after winning all their debates this season, have the opportunity to attend the CSDA Semi-finals (details to come). We have a number of staff to thank for their support - Mr Duncan, Miss Bella, Ms Lennox, Mr Gattone, Miss Iler and Miss Hilder. Without these staff supporting Miss Bryant and the girls, we wouldn't have been able to enjoy participating in this unique and rewarding CSDA season. Thank you everyone.

Year 8 MISA Round Two

On Monday 17 July, our Year 8 MISA team participated in their Round Two debate against Magdalene Catholic College. Our Year 8 team, consisting of Renee L, Hein J, Olivia M and Abby D, debated the subject of homework over Zoom. While arguing the affirmative for the topic 'that homework is a waste of time', our students built a case surrounding the realistic impact of homework, questioning its application to adult life and the high potential for plagiarism. Unfortunately, we were not the winners of this round, however, the girls received valuable feedback to avoid repetitive arguments and hyperboles which can weaken their case and leave them vulnerable to rebuttal. A great lesson for next time! A big thank you to Miss Hilder for her adjudication and support of Miss Bryant and the girls, and well done to our Madam Chair Jacqueline C for her professionalism in the facilitation of the debate. Our Year 8 squad has a bye for round three, so we are looking forward to their return to debating in September.

Year 9 History Debating

On Friday 14 August, a group of our Year 9 debaters took on the challenge of debating in the Year 11 division of the J.A. Thompson History Debating. The St Pat’s squad consisted of Molly M, Charley L, Isabella W, Caitlin O and Abbey C. The girls debated as the negative team on the topic ‘That Cleopatra betrayed Egypt’ against Emanuel School Randwick. The girls argued that Cleopatra could not have betrayed Egypt as allying with Rome was the best possible option; the one that actively worked to protect Egyptian sovereignty, rather than taking an anti-Roman approach, which could have decimated Egypt all together. They also proved that simply backing the wrong horse (Mark Antony who lost the Roman Civil War to Octavian/Augustus) was no more than a bad policy decision rather than a total betrayal of the nation. In the end, our girls, having withstood a fierce challenge from Randwick walked away with a well-earned victory on the basis that they were more consistent in their refutation and successfully engaged in a tense definitional battle. The girls will now move into the Quarter Final stage of the competition which will be held at a later date.

Year 7 MISA Round Three

On Monday 25 July, our Year 7 MISA team participated in their Round Three debate against John Therry Catholic College. Our Year 7 team, consisting of Eliza F, Orlaith B, Diadem A and Jamie M, debated the negative for the following topic 'That Minecraft should be allowed in schools.’ Our debaters argued that there were more effective teaching tools that did not include Minecraft’s added cost and potential for distraction and engaged well with the affirmatives case. It was pleasing to see our students applying their training by fleshing out their arguments and engaging in well-structured rebuttal. Unfortunately, we were not the winners of this round, however, the girls received valuable feedback to balance conciseness with detail to increase the engagement of their audience. A great lesson for next time! A big thank you to Miss Whitworth for her adjudication and support of Miss Bryant and the girls, and well done to our Madam Chair Lillian J for her professionalism in the facilitation of the debate.

Laura Bryant - Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator