This was initially a debate that this team was very nervous about. Their opponents from St Benedict’s Catholic College were not only the previous year’s champions, but were some of the most impressive speakers our team had come across thus far, with a powerful manner of speaking that was highly inspiring, albeit quite intimidating. Heading into this Grand Final truly felt like our 9A team were David preparing to fight Goliath. Little did they know the success that was to come.

To prepare for the Grand Final, our speakers trained for a number of weeks, applying their previous adjudication feedback to improve their rebuttal and logical progression - and gosh did it improve! The team knew this debate would centre around the theme of politics, so they studied endlessly to comprehend the breadth of the political spectrum, find examples of current political issues, and remember the names and policies of significant political leaders. 

When they were finally on the bus on their way to St Benedict’s on the day of the Grand Final, they were buzzing with excitement and nerves. They may have felt intimidated by the impressiveness of our opponent, but our girls were impressive too. Our speakers were certainly proud to have made it this far and become Grand Finalists, but truthfully, they wanted to win. 

The topic for the Grand Final was “That the Australian Government should increase foreign aid”, and our team were arguing for the negative. St Benedict’s opened the debate masterfully with their well-renowned manner and sophisticated way with words. Their speakers were truly magnificent in the way they spoke. It would have been easy for us to give up right then and there - but our girls didn’t. 

Instead, our 9A team listened with critical ears, cutting through the impressive wording to realise something vital: just because someone you respect makes a powerfully worded argument, doesn’t mean that it's infallible. Thus, the rebuttals came flying from our team, hitting their opponents' case where it hurt. Though our manner remained more understated and calm, the quality of our content and logic was undeniable; formidable even. 

By the end of the debate, the panel of adjudicators declared St Patrick’s College the winners and Grand Champions of the Year 9 MISA Debating Competition. Our girls won, overpowering the Goliath words of their opponent with their stellar logical progression, breathtaking rebuttal, and spectacular case construction.

This win reminds us of an important life lesson: critical thinking. When these students grow up and enter the world of adulthood, I know that they will have faith in their own strength of mind. They will be inclined to value the logic of an argument, rather than accept blindly. They will cut through impressive words, no matter how intimidating and powerful the speaker, and value their own voice… and for that, I am tremendously proud of our 9A team. Congratulations to our 2022 Grand Champions Eliza, Navya, Jamie and Molly.

Laura Bryant - Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator