Interschool Debating

Debating has started up again and our first round was Tuesday, 15 April 2008. Interschool debating is organized by DAV (Debaters’ Association of Victoria) and we compete against many private and government schools in our region. We have 10 people on our 2 teams, made up of Year 8 students and two Year 9 students from last year. We are incredibly lucky to have Ms Kristy Arthurson and Ms Tracy Mills helping out with the coaching this year.
Ms McIntyre

FIRST DEBATE
After many training sessions, the big night came. Both Vermont teams were against Tintern teams. We were quickly divided into separate rooms to begin the debate. Both debates were tight and undeniably exciting. In the end, Vermont 1 won their debate, but Vermont 2 unfortunately lost theirs (by only two points). The best speaker awards were given to Sarah B, Christina E and Caitlin C, although everybody spoke wonderfully. Thanks to parents for coming and supporting our speakers!
Caitlin C

SECOND DEBATE
The second of our Interschool Competition's five debates was held on 7 May 2008 Wednesday night. Unfortunately since one of the opposition teams forfeited, we only had one Vermont team competing. We had a strong team of John-Henry G, Caitlin C and Victoria M debating the topic that “We should tax video games to fund programs to fight childhood obesity.” It was an equally tough debate and both teams spoke exceptionally well. After plenty of preparation, our speakers presented their very persuasive arguments. Unfortunately Vermont was beaten by Mt Lilydale Mercy College by 4 points. Thanks to the teachers who put so much time into coaching both teams, thanks to the parents who came along to support their students and thanks to the marvellous speakers who spoke so outstandingly.
Sarah M

THIRD DEBATE
Do celebrities influence teenagers? This was one of the questions answered at Monday night’s debate – ‘that celebrities have too much influence over teenagers’, which both of our teams won! Well done to the affirmative team – Kaely K, Steph V and Sarah M, who were against Billanook College – and the negative team – Victoria M, Christina E and Sarah B, who were against Aquinas College. Sarah B and Kaely K both won Best Speaker on the night. All of these fine debaters have done our school proud. Thanks to the parents for being so supportive and encouraging. We look forward to our next debate in a few weeks’ time!
John-Henry G

FOURTH DEBATE
On Tuesday night, 17 June 2008, our debating teams competed against Box Hill High School and Tintern Anglican Girls' School
in the fourth of our five debates. Our topic was "that compulsory voting should be abolished". Our students did well but we
lost by a small margin.
Mrs McIntyre