'Learning to debate means learning better ways to state one’s point with gentleness graciously,' (Rebecca Devitt) and what an essential skill this is in today's world!

Friday afternoon saw our first debating competition for 2022 - the traditional Great Debate. The Great Debate is now in its 8th year and sees students from Year 6 compete against Pimpama State Secondary College's Year 7 students. While some may argue this is an unfair competition given the age difference between the two opponents, our young debaters certainly disagree. Each and every year we aim to prove that it doesn't matter how old you are, if your arguments are strong and well supported with credible evidence, if you deliver your arguments with a passionate confidence, you can persuade any audience. Your voice matters!

Debating exemplifies our 'Good at Learning, Good at Life' mission as it provides students with an opportunity to critically analyse contemporary issues through multiple lenses. While most children are great at arguing their point of view and what they believe to be fair in their world, debating expands on this by making them explore both sides of an argument and defend a side they may have not initially agreed with. Debating also strengthens students ability to collaborate given it is a team sport and it's important that each speaker supports and strengthens the arguments of the team.

The topic and our team this year was:
That the school years are the best years of our lives (CRSS - Affirmative)
CRSS Team: Ashely M, Annabelle F, Annabelle N and Ella G.
Chairperson: Poppy G

Poppy summed it up well when she introduced the debate saying it was a topic that had generations and people divided in their opinions. Our students all delivered strong arguments and spoke with such confidence and conviction that they convinced the adjudicators they were right. So it looks like the school years are the best years of our lives, even if we don't always realise it. Watch out Mums and Dads, these students know how to put forward a convincing argument! A massive congratulations to our students who are now looking forward to the Coomera Alliance Debating competition in Term 4.