Senior Prepared Debating in Schools

• 2001 Moots
• Adjudicators
• Ranking of teams
• Past winners

2001 Moots

1. THAT Barbie should be banned
2. THAT nationalism is a Pandora's Box
3. THAT our future is out of this world
4. THAT the family is the anchor of society
5. THAT censorship can never be justified
6. THAT love will tear us apart
7. THAT women are more suited to political life than men
8. THAT the Olympic spirit is dead

Adjudicators for Senior Debates

The first principle is that both teams must agree on the choice of adjudicator. In the past Senior level debates have often been adjudicated by a school pupil in an advanced team from another school in the region. This is often on a "you scratch our back, we'll scratch yours" basis. However, the use of school pupils for senior debates often generates complaints about the poor quality of adjudicating, and we officially discourage it. It is sometimes a necessity, and often good practice for Junior level debates. Still, if both schools agree, an experienced advanced debater can often be an excellent choice.

For senior debates we recommend an adult adjudicator, who is not one of the coaches and ideally not a teacher from either school. However, if the teams agree in advance to that, then the teams must accept the outcome. Again, it is often possible to come to a reciprocal arrangement with neighbouring schools where a teacher from another school adjudicates.

Schools often have contacts in the local community, and Rotary, Lions, Jaycees, Toastmasters, ITC, local council and ward representatives, can all be sources of adjudicators. It is best to get someone willing and experienced, and important to get agreement from both teams on the specific choice. Some are willing but not very capable.

Past winners of Senior Prepared Debating in Schools

2000

Macleans College: Adrian Chang, Nicole Leach, Erin Ward,Alexander Ho, Annelies Naus defeated St Kentigern College

1997

Macleans College: Kerensa Watson, Pralene Maharaj, Christopher Whitehead, Sarah Thompson defeated St Kentigern College: Simon Murphy, Simon Green and Robin Christian
The path to victory

1996

Avondale College: Megan O'Callaghan, Helene Coulson, Ben Mayson defeated Baradene College: Julie Crosswell, Tokilupe Taumoepeau, Tupe Solomon and Katie Kempthorne

1991

Diocesan School for Girls defeated Westlake Girls High School

Before 1985

See the Novice Debating competition