Our 9A squad consisted of Zali B as first speaker, Rebecca M as second speaker, Lyla F as third speaker and Sta O as team advisor. In the Semi Finals, our Year 9’s debated as the affirmative side against Magdalene Catholic College on the topic ‘That we should allow emergency workers to strike.’ Our girls proposed a model of a staggered strike, in which no more than 20% of the emergency workforce be allowed to strike at once in order to minimise any adverse impacts upon these essential systems. They then argued that it is necessary to maintain equal rights for all workers across all industries, and that the current state of emergency worker’s salaries, hours, and conditions provoke a need for them to strike. Magdalene’s case centred around the essential nature of these worker’s roles, arguing that lives should not be compromised for the sake of worker’s short term needs, especially through something as controversial or potentially violent as a strike. They also provided a counter-model of a 10% increase to all emergency worker salaries, funded through a charity concert, arguing that this would remove the need for strike. After a tense and hard fought debate, our girls remained graceful in an unfortunate defeat, based on a need to improve their rebuttal. Making the Semi Finals is a tremendous achievement. We are incredibly proud of them for their efforts.

Our Year 10 squad, consisting of Ava M as first speaker, Ruby K as second speaker , Holly B as third speaker, and Grace Q as team advisor, took on the challenge of debating the negative against Magdalene Catholic College on the topic ‘That we should increase immigration’. Our opponent proudly argued that increasing immigration was not only necessary to secure the Australian job market, but it would also assist our country in healing its racist past by strengthening our nation’s multicultural identity. Our girls fired back that, due to the current state of affairs in Australia (including the cost of living crisis and the lack of appropriate government and social support for current residents) it is not the right time to increase immigration, lest it further exacerbate the cycle of inequity already present within Australia. At the end of the debate, our speaker's arguments proved to be slightly better supported and presented, and so they proudly walked away with a hard-earned victory! 

Congratulations to both squads on their wonderful achievements. The Year 10 squad will now take on Broughton Anglican College in the Grand Final, to be held towards the end of the Term. We wish this team the very best of luck in preparing for their Grand Final as they attempt to bring the Year 10 MISA Debating trophy back to St Pat’s!

Laura Bryannie - Debating Coordinator