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Senior Debating at Trinity College Gawler
Debate: 1. Noun. A formal discussion in a public
meeting or legislature, in which opposing arguments are presented.
2. Noun. An argument. 3. Verb. Discuss or argue about. 4. Consider;
ponder.
Did you know that during the American Civil War
current events drew such strong feelings from all sides involved
that in order to ensure a fair debate, the moderator would withdraw
and place two pistols on the lectern, as a swift reminder to
those speaking? While inter-school debating in this more enlightened
age almost never results in an exchange of small arms fire, it
remains a lively, entertaining and edifying experience for speakers
and audiences alike.
Debating at Trinity College Senior is run through
the South Australian Debating Association (SADA) which organises
its annual season from March to September by dividing South Australia
geographically into zones. As Trinity College Senior is part
of the Northern Zone which is Zone 1, students who elect to debate
this year can expect to face off against schools such as Wilderness,
Blackfriars, Endeavour and St Ignatius.
The season is short but fierce; debates are divided
into two general categories: prepared topic debates and secret
topic debates. In the case of a prepared topic debate, the school
already possesses the information concerning selected topics
and the allocation of the affirmative or negative position for
each team. In the case of a secret topic debate all the students’ skills
of organisation, co-operation and improvisation are called upon,
as topics are revealed to the team (sequestered securely in a
room with no input from the outside world) a short time before
the debate is scheduled to start! Needless to say, mental agility
and a flair for the dramatic are the order of the day.
Picture this scenario: A bright, motivated year
11 or year 12 student, working in proximity to equally bright
and motivated young people. Three speakers with clearly delineated,
structured arguments plus an all-important reserve to provide
critical support. Preparation meetings facilitated by a staff
member acting as coach and mentor. Meticulous research. Strategy
and tactics. Opportunities for public speaking practice unparalleled
in any other realm of secondary schooling. Top level adjudication
and advice from some of the finest minds to rise through the
ranks of academia. For the faint hearted? Perhaps not. Nevertheless,
debating at Trinity College Senior will challenge, engage and
ultimately reward any and all students who wish to participate,
be they novices or seasoned veterans.
Source: dolphin.upenn.edu/~philo/about/history/debating
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