State Debating

The atmosphere in the Great Hall at Sydney University was electric, the anticipation almost palpable as the final round of the Year 11/12 Premiers Debating Competition began. Two teams, battle-hardened and intellectually sharpened by weeks of rigorous debates, stood on the stage, ready to engage in what would be the most challenging debate of their school careers.

The topic for the debate had been released just an hour prior: “That the Olympic Games should always remain politically neutral “It was a subject both timely and complex, demanding not only a mastery of facts and figures but also an ability to think critically.

The affirmative team Norah Davis, Audrey Lenzo, Mika Faass and Taylor Harding from Kirrawee High, argued passionately for the status quo.

The opposing team from Newtown School of Performing Arts countered with compelling arguments.

As the debate progressed, the audience was captivated by the sheer intellectual rigor on display. Each speaker delivered their points with precision and eloquence, their arguments bolstered by carefully chosen evidence and expertly crafted rhetoric. The clash of ideas was intense, with both teams skillfully rebutting the other's points, turning what might have seemed like a simple debate into a complex and nuanced discussion.

When the final speaker for each team concluded, the room was filled with a tense silence. The adjudicators, tasked with the near-impossible job of declaring a winner, took their time deliberating. Whispers spread through the audience as students, teachers, and parents speculated on who might emerge victorious. 

When the name of the winning team was announced, there was a brief moment of silence, followed by a wave of applause. 

But it was the runners-up who truly shone in that moment. Rising from their seats, they turned to their opponents with smiles on their faces, offering handshakes and sincere congratulations.   Despite the obvious disappointment of coming so close only to fall short, they displayed a grace and sportsmanship that earned them the respect of everyone in the room.

In the end, the final debate was not just a contest of ideas but a celebration of the values that debating instills: critical thinking, articulate expression, and above all, the grace to acknowledge a worthy opponent. Both teams left the stage with their reputations enhanced, their minds sharpened, and their futures brightened by the experience. 

Please click here to view the gallery