This year, Foxwell SSC was fortunate to enter 4 debating teams into the Gold Coast Debating Competition.  Our teams were comprised of Year 7 and 8 students in the Junior B section.  Students debated on the prepared topics: “Children should not have mobile phones”; “Marvel’s ‘Avengers’ are good role models” and “Every high school student should have to participate in at least one extra-curricular activity”.  Students were assigned either the affirmative or negative case to argue prior to the debate and must prepare their case. 

Once our prepared debates were complete, our teams then faced the challenge of two short preparation rounds.  In these rounds, students were assigned either the affirmative or negative case and provided with the topic at 4:00 pm and had 2 hours to prepare their whole case before they presented at 6:00 pm.  As you can imagine, this is a difficult proposition for anyone!  However our debaters were amazing and prepared cases on the topics: “School exams should be banned” and “The Tokyo Olympics should go ahead”.  They were polished and calm and outstanding examples of accomplishment and good sportsmanship for our College, their families and themselves. 

Foxwell 1 was fortunate to make it through to the Junior B finals held this Wednesday night where they debated the topic: “Schools should not sell junk food.”  Arguing the affirmative side, Foxwell 1 emerged victorious!  Our first debating team to make a final and our first debating winners.  Well done to Emerson, Vicky, Leili and Zack!

We are so very proud of all of our debating teams for their commitment, effort and wonderful examples of grace under pressure.  They have worked so hard throughout Semester 1 and into this Semester.  We would also like to thank the families and friends of our debaters.  Without their support in driving students to venues, watching debates, celebrating wins and consoling losses, our students would not have these amazing opportunities.  We would also like to thank the teacher who supported and trained our debating teams throughout Semester 1 – Ms Arndt, Ms Sinhola and Ms Goddaer – for their time and expertise in mentoring our young debaters.

Debating teams:

Foxwell 1 – Emerson Smith, Vicky Rowe, Leili Fayyaztoossi, Zack Tunstall

Foxwell 2 – Taliea George, Summer Taylor, Isabella Ikenasio, Kai Jesudason

Foxwell 3 – Isabella Faint, Amritha Ravipati, Jelena Uzelac, Marwa Osman

Foxwell 4 – Isabella Dagg, RJ McQueen, Erin Barletta

More students have assisted our debaters by helping out when we required an additional speaker due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, or a chairperson, timekeeper or fourth person for short prep debates. 

Thank you for your assistance during debating:  Aria Cook, Skyla Davies, Jai Repia, Tawhirimatea Witehira, Caitlyn De Reuck.

We hope to have more success with debating in 2022.  If you would like to know more about this, please contact Danielle Goddaer at dgodd2@eq.edu.au