Debating competitions help pupils ‘grow by listening’
VARIOUS topics were up for debate at the Southland Secondary Schools Debating Competition on Saturday.
Fourteen groups took part and the pupils ranged in age from 11 to 18.
Schools involved included Southland Boys’ High School, Southland Girls’ High School, James Hargest College, Verdon College and Central Southland College.
The competitions, held at Southland Boys’, began at 9am and the finals were held in the afternoon.
Southland Secondary Schools Debating Competition organiser Robyn Welsh said the competitions were a ‘‘fantastic’’ opportunity for the groups to talk about several controversial topics.
The competitions also helped pupils build confidence in public speaking and improved their communication skills, she said.
‘‘To be able to take a position on something, even if you don’t agree with it, helps most of the students to grow by listening to other viewpoints and then thinking on their feet,’’ she said.
The competitions were an academic pursuit where pupils could test themselves against other high achievers from other schools, she said.
Topics the pupils discussed included the wellbeing of motherhood is overrated; there should be equal genders in sports; and compulsory voting.
The winners of the junior division were Southland Boys’ pupils Levi Te Amo, Lee Herrick and William Paris.
James Hargest pupils Roland Cameron, Charlotte Dassen, Malachi Lang and James Fisken triumphed in the year 11 division.
Ashley Phillips, Alice McIntosh and Nicole Lina, from James Hargest, won the senior division.
The event was sponsored by the Invercargill Licensing Trust and some of Invercargill’s law firms.
The University of Otago provided nine adjudicators.
Central Southland pupils Lena Dickey and Ruby Anderson said they were excited to attend the event after it was put on hold the previous year.
‘‘We’re passionate about debating and it’s been a while since we’ve debated in person, but the topics have been interesting and complex compared to other years,’’ Lena said.
They enjoyed the aspect of attending the debates and meeting up with other schools, Ruby said.
‘‘Coming and participating with other people is fun because you never know what will happen with moots.’’
James Hargest pupil Rachel Eckhold said she started debating last year and it was the first competitions she attended.
She enjoyed seeing people’s different styles of debating and challenging herself, she said.
‘‘I wasn’t sure what to expect but it’s been good, especially if it’s something you don’t necessarily agree with; but it’s about working out the other person’s perspective, and how do I put myself in shoes which I otherwise wouldn’t find myself in.’’