Debating Years 10–12 Debating 2013 This 2013 Debating season, Kinnoull had three teams representing each of the year levels from Year 10 through to Year 12 in the Debating Association of Victoria’s competition held at Caulfied Grammar. The Year 10 team of Raphael Canty, Wyatt Bicknell, Lachlan Kafer, Karl Maul, Matthew Mottola and Liam Gava challenged McKinnon Secondary, Elwood College, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College and Kilvington Grammar School. At this level, those involved have to present three prepared, one advised and one secret topic debate and speak for 4-6 minutes. The competition was fierce, yet each individual showed his versatility by alternating speaking roles during the season. This is a talented group of speakers who are well placed to involve themselves in the 2014 competition The Year 11 team consisting of Alec Young, Jonathan Dent, Ben Stafford, Joshua Talbot, Steven Lau, Edward Hirst, John Buchanan and Jack-Henry Attard competed against St Michael’s Grammar, Caulfied Grammar, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College and Wesley College. These speakers were formidable opponents in the two prepared and three secret topic debates. Learning to decipher a topic, prepare a 6-8 minute speech in an hour and then deliver it in an effective manner takes skill and practice. Overall, the Year 11 debaters equipped themselves well and have strong skills to take to the A Grade division in 2014. The Year 11 debaters also spent an afternoon at St Joseph’s Primary school explaining and then modeling how to conduct a debate. The teachers and Grade 5 and 6 students were delighted with the boys’ tuition and manner in which they approached the challenge. Finally, the Year 12 team for 2013 consisted of Alexander Di Medio, Jeffrey Xu, Thomas O’Dwyer,
Senior Debaters Maxwell Le and Floyd Cox. The impressive nature of this team was that most had not competed in a public competition prior to this season. The opposition teams included Wesley College, St Michael’s Grammar and Bialik College. These students relished the opportunity to represent De La Salle in their final year and are to be congratulated on their efforts. They were positive, keen to learn Standing: Ms C Thompson, J. Henry-Attard, J. Talbot, E. Hirst, T. O’Dwyer, F. Nash, N. Thomas and improve their skills, Seated: M. Le, J. Xu, A. Young, J. Buchanan, B. Stafford, A. DiMedio, J. Dent and presented wellprepared speeches in each debate. We congratulate all those students who took part in the Debaters’ Association of Victoria competition this year. Even though the teams would have liked more victories, they were frequently complimented by the adjudicators on their presentations, and several of these young men received ‘Best speaker’ awards during the competition. With each debate, it was pleasing to see the young men take on board the advice given them and continue to challenge themselves to improve their manner, matter and method skills. We look forward to Debating in 2014. Mr Neil Thomas and Mrs Christine Thompson
Intermediate Debaters
R. Canty, W. Bicknell, L. Kafer, L. Gava, M. Mottola, Ms C. Thompson Absent: Karl Maul
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