Debating

It was another successful year for Karamu High School debaters. The year started with the Hawke’s Bay Secondary Schools Regional competition in February where we hosted and won the tournament. Karamu A, consisting of Jessica Shoemark, Jamie Hollway, Romona Wainohu and Tiana Edwards, defeated a strong team from Gisborne Girls. Additionally pleasing was that five of our Year 13 students were highly commended for their speaking. Undeterred by a global pandemic, Sophie Jones, Keelan Heesterman and Thea Morton competed against schools throughout the country in the Aotearoa Online School’s Debating competition. Arguing persuasively against a 100% inheritance tax, they convincingly won the Advanced Grade against Auckland’s Mount Roskill Grammar. We were fortunate to have two students, Jessica Shoemark and Thea Morton selected to compete in the Hawke’s Bay Regional team at the Nationals in Wellington. Again, difficulties with restricted numbers meant the event took place online. Finishing with three strong wins, the team advanced further than any Hawke’s Bay team in recent memory. The Hawke’s Bay Secondary School’s Impromptu Cup was the final event in the debating calendar. Karamu A, consisting of Romona Wainohu and Keelan Heesterman, progressed to the final. While narrowly losing to the hosts, Havelock North High School, both were recognised as highly commended speakers by the university adjudicators. This year we farewell six very talented Year 13 debaters, but look forward to continuing to build on the success of Karamu debating.

Debating Seniors

Back row: Jamie Hollway, John-Rose Smissen, Jack Arcus, Keelan Heesterman, Ethin Templeton, Mr C Cummins Front row: Tiana Edwards, Erika Balestie Diaz, Romona Wainohu, Thea Morton, Jessica Shoemark, Sascha MacDonald, Sophie Jones