31 Aug 2012
Oberon High debating team has won a number of debates against much larger high schools in our District, which gained them third place in the Regional Debating Competition. An outstanding performance by the team consisting of Zoe Robinson, Jessi Parkin, Kate Whalan and Alex Pointon as team advisor, resulted in a third place, with Zoe Robinson being selected as part of the Regional Debating Team which will participate at State level.
On Tuesday the 21st August, the Year 10 Debating Team travelled to Molong Central School to compete in the Western Region Debating Finals. The Oberon High team made the Regional Finals after being declared winners of their zone, knocking out both Kelso High School and Bathurst High School. The team representing the school on Tuesday consisted of Zoe Robinson (1st speaker), Jessi Parkin (2nd Speaker), Kate Whalan (3rd Speaker) and Alex Pointon (team advisor). All students conducted themselves in an exemplary manner and were wonderful ambassadors for their school and their zone.
On the day students were set to compete against Orange High School and Blayney High School,
debating topics such as "Assessment tasks should replace all examinations", and that "we should switch
off all talent shows".
Whilst our team did not come out the overall winner at the Regional Finals, they are to be congratulated on their hard work, enthusiasm and talent in making it as far as they did in the competition. The achievements of the team have been exceptional, considering that prior to the competition beginning several months ago, none of the students had debating experience.
As well as debating on the day, students also attended debating workshops with adjudicators from
Sydney. Based upon efforts in the workshops and skill shown throughout the debates, one of the
students from Oberon High has been selected to be a part of the Western Region Debating Team and
will travel to the State Finals in November!
We congratulate Zoe Robinson on being selected as a part of the Regional Team and look forward to regular updates from Zoe as she prepares for the State Finals over the coming months. To have a student representing Oberon High School at the state level for Debating is an amazing achievement and we are extremely proud of Zoe.
We must also mention and give thanks to Georgia Blinco and Cayley Jones for their contributions to the
Debating Team in prior debates. Thanks also go to the parents for supporting their children throughout
the experience and a special mention must go to Mrs Whalan for helping to transport students on the
day.