June 18, 2018
A team from St Mary’s Catholic College will be flying the flag for the South Burnett at the Area finals of the Apex High School Debating competition following a close contest last week.
The St Mary’s team of Josee Currin (Year 9), Elizabeth Watson (Year 10) and Caitlin Lang (Year 10) convinced the judges “that Australia should become a republic”.
The negative argument was presented by a team from Nanango State High School: Danika De Weers, Kaycee Barron and Macey Roberts (all Year 10).
The teams earned the right to face off in the final, which was held at St John’s Lutheran School, after winning their way through a series of heats.
“St Marys had a narrow but well-deserved win in the Junior competition,” organiser John Box said.
“This team has finished the competition undefeated and will go on to represent our South Burnett Region in the Fraser Coast area finals in August.”
Earlier in the night, Year 7/8 teams from Kingaroy State High School – Year 7s Stacey Reeve, Nathan Hartley and Jett Johnson (affirmative) – and St John’s – Year 8s Ben Springall, Lily Rees and Emma Wilks (negative) – debated “that water is more precious than gold”.
Again, the affirmative arguments won over the judges.
St John’s students Ashley Roberts and Ben Springall chaired the two debates.
“It was a fitting outcome to have all four schools involved in this year’s competition represented in the finals,” John said.
“On behalf of our Apex State Debating co-ordinator, Emma-Kate Currie and myself, I would like to thank the students, coaches, parents and schools for supporting this year’s competition.
“Special thanks to the 16 volunteer adjudicators who participated in this year’s event, especially retired Apexian and past State Debating Co-ordinator Kendall Siddans and Kingaroy Apex Life Member Darryl Dove for adjudicating the finals.
“Best wishes to Elizabeth Watson, Josee Currin, Caitlin Lang and their coach Rom Sudull for every success in the Area finals.”
