MISA Debating Day 
On 15 March, eight of our Year 7 MISA Debaters journeyed to John Therry Catholic College, Rosemeadow, to participate in the MISA Debating Workshop Day. Our eight students were: Chaiyya R, Valentina SM, Aurora F, Alif R, Hannah B, Hannah M, Armeet K, Annalise D. The girls first listened to a presentation on how to debate, which included key information such as the speaker roles, and how to break down a topic during preparation time. After morning tea, the girls participated in their first ever debate where they took on the topic 'That life is better in the country than in the city'. This allowed the girls to break open their first topic and to experience first hand the pressures of a debate, including managing their time in the preparation room. The girls handled it wonderfully and came to the lunch break with some solid feedback and a new found love for debating. After lunch, the girls entered their second debate on the topic 'That commercials are the best part of television'. This debate allowed our girls to refine their skills and to apply the feedback that they received in the first debate. At the conclusion of this second debate, the girls felt far more confident about their speaking abilities, and their ability to work as a team, whilst trying to prove their point to be right and true. Thank you very much to the girls for their efforts and positivity throughout the day, and we wish them the best of luck as they move towards the start of the MISA Debating season. Finally, thank you very much to Miss Bryant for her organisation of the day, as well as the staff at John Therry for all of their work in ensuring the day was a great success!

Frensham Debating Day at St Patrick's
On 19 March, the St Patrick's Debating community hosted Frensham School Mittagong for a Debating Training Day. This allowed our new debaters to learn the pivotal skills they will require in each competition here at school. The girls started the day with a presentation from Miss Bryant, as she taught the girls how to debate, the speaker roles, and how to win an argument. After morning tea, the girls got the chance to break down several topics, and then refute the arguments they had just made. They were subsequently able to watch a debate between some of our experienced Year 9 and 10 debaters, and collectively the group awarded the debate to our Year 9s in a 12-11 split decision! After lunch, our new debaters were able to debate themselves, on topics including 'that everyone should own a pet'. The day was also a good opportunity for our girls to socialise with the Frensham girls. Thank you very much to the Frensham staff and students for making this day such a success, to our girls for participating with passion, and to Miss Bryant for organising the day.

Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking
On 24 March, four of our girls travelled to St Gregory's College, Campbelltown for the first round of the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition. Representing our College in the Junior division, we had Louise F,  Emma G and Sarah M, and in the Senior division we had Lily C. The girls were required to pre-write their speech on a number of topics that could have been chosen, including life in colour, the right attitude and in the spotlight. The girls all spoke with a great deal of passion, confidence and fervour. At the end of the evening, we had great success in the Junior division, with a clean sweep of the top two placings. Congratulations to Louise F for winning the Junior division, and to Emma G for placing as the Runner Up! Louise will now move through to the Regional Final, which will take place in May.
Congratulations again to all four speakers for representing the College with pride and passion and enthusiasm.

Christopher Duncan - Senior Debating Coach