New Zealand Schools’ Debating

This afternoon Nick, Maria and Jasmin beat Estonia by 3-0, opposing the motion “This House supports compulsory physical education in schools”.

New Zealand is therefore on two wins and six from six judges.

Tomorrow morning Josh, Aria and Jasmin take on Romania, proposing “That all nations have a right to nuclear weapons”. In the afternoon the team is against the United States on an impromptu motion.

New Zealand won against Slovakia in a 3-0 decision, affirming the motion “That we should support military intervention in Somalia”. Josh, Maria and Aria debated.

The 2010 Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools’ Debating Team, along with New Zealand’s adjudicators and supporters, have arrived in Doha. The tournament kicks off tonight with a formal dinner.

Tomorrow is dedicated to adjudicator training while the teams tour Doha.

Rounds 1 and 2 are on Wednesday February 10. In R1 New Zealand are against Estonia on a prepared motion, proposing “That we should support military intervention in Somalia”. In R2 New Zealand are negating against Slovakia on an impromptu topic.

Doha is ten hours behind New Zealand. We expect round 1 will finish around 10pm New Zealand time on that day. Round 2 will finish around 4pm, which is around 2am NZ time the following day (Thursday).

The Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools Debating Team leaves on Friday for the 2010 World Schools’ Debating Champs in Doha, Qatar.

New Zealand is the reigning World Schools Debating Champions after winning the title in Athens, Greece, last February.

The team consists of Maria English (Captain, Samuel Marsden Collegiate School), Nick Cross (Scots College), Aria Newfield (St Cuthbert’s College), Josh Baxter (Auckland Grammar School) and Jasmin Moran (Chilton St James School).

The team is coached by Clodagh O’Connor-McKenna and will be accompanied by adjudicators Kevin Moar, Christopher Bishop, Claire Ryan, and Rosemary Dixon.

The draw for the tournament was released yesterday:

Round 1 (prepared): “That we should support military intervention in Somalia”
New Zealand v Slovakia

Round 2 (impromptu)
Estonia v New Zealand

Round 3 (prepared): “That every country should have the right to possess nuclear weapons”
New Zealand v Romania

Round 4 (impromptu)
United States v New Zealand

Round 5 (prepared): “That doctors should report evidence of marital abuse to the police”
United Arab Emirates v New Zealand

Round 6 (impromptu)
New Zealand v Israel

Round 7 (prepared): “That terrorist suspects should have a right to a trial in civilian courts”
Nigeria v New Zealand

Round 8 (impromptu)
New Zealand v Australia

Results of each debate will be posted here during the tournament. The first round is on Tuesday February 9.  Wednesday February 10.

All schools in New Zealand will soon be sent the 2010 New Zealand Schools Debating brochure, which invites them to enter their local Regional Schools’ Debating Champs.

See below for the dates and venue of each Regional tournament, along with the regional convenor. Please contact them for more information.

Northland – Sunday 25 April at Kerikeri High School
Contact: George Minton

Auckland – Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May at St Kentigern College
Contact: Stephanie Thompson

Waikato – Saturday 22 May at the University of Waikato
Contact: Akif Malik

Central North Island – Sunday 16 May at St Peter’s College
Contact: Yogesh Patel

Hawke’s Bay – Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April at Lindisfarne College
Contact: Udayan Mukherjee

Wellington – Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May at a venue TBA
Contact: Stephen Whittington

Nelson / Marlborough – Saturday 27 March at Nayland College
Contact: Rose Austen

Canterbury – Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May at a venue TBA
Contact: Erin Jackson

Otago / Southland – Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May at Otago Boys’ High School
Contact: William Cheyne