On Friday of Week 4, SCAS hosted the annual Secondary Debating Day in the library. The success of Debating Day is evidence that debating is thriving at SCAS. With over 50 students from Years 7 to 12 in attendance, the day saw students with all levels of experience demonstrating their communication, collaboration and leadership skills.
The event began with our senior debaters hosting debating games for the junior students, helping to build confidence and key skills. Students then had the opportunity to watch an exciting debate between our senior teams on the topic “that we should hold social media companies accountable for misinformation on their platforms”. Inspired by what they had seen, the junior students then participated in debates against their peers, arguing the topic “Should single-use plastics be banned in Australia?”. Students were supported in the preparation of their debates through the guidance and coaching provided by our senior debaters.
Attendance on the day demonstrates a growing enthusiasm for debating, a skill that is more vital than ever in today’s world. The ability to think critically, construct persuasive arguments, and communicate effectively are invaluable skills that will serve our students well beyond school. A key contributor to the success of the day was the leadership demonstrated by our senior and experienced debaters, who took charge of mentoring and inspiring the younger students. This reflects the high degree of student agency and the strong culture of debating within our school.
The 2025 SCAS debating squad will soon be selected and commence preparation for the upcoming HICES debating competition later this term.
