Debating Damian Li. Even Why do debating? The though the teams answer is simple; it provides would have liked you with the opportunity to more victories, they talk for up to six minutes were frequently (depending on the level in complemented by which you are competing) in the adjudicators on an attempt to outsmart the their presentations opposition with both your and several of these arguments and speaking young men received method and manner. This ‘Best speaker’ year a small group of stuawards during the dents took up the challenge to competition. With develop and further enhance each debate, it was their skills in this area. pleasing to see the In the Debaters’ Association young men take on of Victoria competition, we board the advice competed in the Caulfield Standing: Mrs Christine Thompson, Nicholas Kent, Alex McEwan, given them and Region and so competed continue to chalBrenton McDonald against schools such as Seated: Jean- Rene Vauzelle, Ben Siragusano, Damian Li lenge themselves to Wesley College, Caulfield improve their manGrammar, McKinnon ner, matter and method skills. Secondary, Leibler Yavneh and St Michael’s Another competition in which the young men from Grammar School. Years 7-9 participated during the season was the The topics were challenging and included issues ACC Debating day for both Junior and Intermediate such as ‘We should greatly increase the price of students. These days demand that the boys compete water’. ‘We should ban all examinations in schools’ in one prepared debate and two impromptu debates. and ‘That professional sporting teams should not A real challenge, yet the boys presented themselves have cheerleaders’. Many of our arguments were well. interesting to prepare and fascinating to debate, yet I would like to thank Mrs Georgina Dwyer and Mrs on occasions, the students discovered the difficulty Carmel Dwyer for their help in preparing the debaters in arguing a case that was clearly contrary to their during the season. Their wise deliberations gave us beliefs. They soon realised that the skill was in being some much needed insights for some of the more able to put this aside and put forward a well strucdifficult arguments. tured and fluently spoken argument. It is hoped that next year, we can further develop I congratulate all those students who took part in the debating profile in the school and so we the Debaters Association of Victoria competition this encourage all boys who would like to develop their year including Nicholas Kent, Alex McEwan, Brenton speaking skills to get involved. McDonald, Jean-Rene Vauzelle, Ben Siragusano and Mrs Christine Thompson 44
Community Service Wheeling a wheel chair, calling numbers for Bingo, reading the paper to an elderly man – these are some of the activities our Year 9’s engaged in during their week of Lasallian Service. Moved from classrooms into the very special area of Community Service, our young men excelled themselves as they became involved with disabled children in special schools, people in retirement villages, the elderly and the infirm. Glowing comments were received from the boys’ placements. Comments like – cooperative, happy to help, shows initiative, demonstrated maturity beyond his years. Mrs Ruth Hunter
