New Zealand Schools’ Debating

This year’s Russell McVeagh New Zealand Schools’ Debating Team will be taking part in TWO World Schools Debating Championships. The first Worlds is in Dundee, Scotland, from 16 – 26 August, 2011. The second Worlds is in Cape Town, South Africa, from 17 – 27 January, 2012.
 
Applications are now open for the position of NZ Coach, and the position of assistant coach.
 
Our preference is to appoint the NZ Coach for the Worlds in both Dundee and Cape Town now. However, we will accept applications from those interested in just Dundee. We are not accepting applications from those interested in Cape Town at this stage (if the eventual coach is appointed for Dundee only, then we will obviously re-open applications for Cape Town later).
 
We are opening applications for the assistant coach position for Dundee only.
Please pass this email onto those who you think may be interested.
 
Please note that applications will close on Friday March 11 at 5pm.
 
NZ TEAM COACH
 
Role of the Coach
 
The role of the NZ Team Coach is to prepare the NZ team team thoroughly for the upcoming World Champs. The coach is expected to attend the tournament in his/her capacity as coach.
 
The coach will be expected to organise (in conjunction with the Council) training sessions for the team in advance of the tournament, and to run those sessions.
 
The NZ team manager will assist with organising travel etc, liaising with the teams, and other non-debating matters that arise. The team manager will also act as the key contact point between the Council and the coach.
 
Time Commitment
 
The coach will be expected to travel to Worlds with the NZ Team. In the time between the date of appointment and the tournament, the coach will be expected to make themselves available to coach the team on mutually acceptable dates for the team members and the coach.
 
We would prefer it if the coach could also attend the National Finals of the NZ Schools Debating Champs in Wellington from May 27 – May 30. The Council will cover transport and accommodation costs to allow the coach to attend.
 
Costs
 
The Council will meet the reasonable travel and accommodation costs for the coaches to attend training sessions, if they are not held where the coaches live.
 
The coaches will be expected to pay a contribution towards the travel costs of sending him or her to Worlds. This contribution has not yet been set by Council, but will be no more than $1000 NZD.
 
If applications are made by a pair of coaches on a co-coach basis, the Council will re-evaluate the contribution of each coach.
 
Appointment Process
 
The appointment process will be as follows:
 
1. Applicants need to send:

• a coaching/debating CV;
• a letter which explains why they would like the job, why they would be a good coach for the NZ team, and which comments on their strengths as a coach (applicants should feel free to provide as much info as they would like);
• the name of one person who would be happy to be contacted as an oral referee to the NZ team manager, Christopher Bishop, by Friday March 11 at 5pm on cjsbishop@gmail.com

2. Team manager to consider applications and meet with Council to create a shortlist of applicants.
  
3. Oral referees of shortlisted applicants to be contacted.
  
4. Council may authorise a sub-committee to conduct an interview with short-listed applicants if deemed necessary.
  
5. Council to advise applicants of outcomes by Friday March 18.
 
ASSISTANT COACH
 
We are also looking for an assistant coach of the NZ Team for Worlds in Dundee. The position is designed for someone who may like to coach the NZ team in the future, and who would like to gain some experience and skills by learning from the NZ coach proper. The assistant coach will work with the NZ Team coach in preparing the team for Worlds in Dundee.
 
People who have coached or are coaching regional teams are encouraged to apply for this position.
 
The Council will help pay for the assistant coach to attend the NZ team training sessions in advance of Worlds in Dundee. The assistant coach is also encouraged to attend the World Champs with the team. Due to the registration restrictions in Dundee, the assistant coach will need to attend as an official New Zealand adjudicator. To this end, the Council will set aside one of New Zealand’s two judging slots at the tournament for the assistant coach.
 
Unfortunately, the assistant coach will have to cover their own flights to Worlds and their registration costs (480 British pounds).
 
Appointment Process
 
The appointment process will be as follows:
 
1. Applicants need to send:

• a coaching/debating CV;
• a letter which explains why they would like the job, why they would be a good assistant coach for the NZ team, and which comments on their strengths as a coach (applicants should feel free to provide as much info as they would like). Comments as to future coaching intentions would also be welcomed.
• the name of one person who would be happy to be contacted as an oral referee to the NZ team manager, Christopher Bishop, by Friday March 11 at 5pm on cjsbishop@gmail.com

2. Team manager to consider applications and meet with Council to create a shortlist of applicants.
  
3. Oral referees of shortlisted applicants to be contacted.
  
4. Council may authorise a sub-committee to conduct an interview with short-listed applicants if deemed necessary.
  
5. Council to advise applicants of outcomes by Friday March 18

In news just in from the regions, Nayland College has won the Kahurangi – Marlborough Regional Schools’ Debating Champs (the renamed Nelson / Marlborough region), and Kerikeri High School has continued its domination of the Northland Regional Champs.

Kimberly Savill was best speaker at Kahurangi – Marlborough and Michael Prendergast was best speaker in Northland.

Click here for a full report on Kahurangi – Marlborough.

Two members of winning Nayland College team

A nice story from the Hawke’s Bay Today newspaper about the International Tour. It certainly was “A War of Words for Debating Apprentices!”

Photos from the tour can be found here.

Australia have won the 2011 Russell McVeagh International Schools Debating Tour, after defeating Canada West in the Grand Final at Auckland Grammar tonight.

Australia successfully affirmed the topic, “This House believes the United States should stop financially supporting dictatorships in the Middle East”, winning in a 3-0 decision.

Top five speakers:

1. Charlotte Thomas (Australia)
2. Ned-Lis Clarke (Australia)
3. Kieran Bunn (New Zealand)
4. Duncan McLachlan (New Zealand)
5=Antony Paul (Australia)
5=Peter McCauley (Canada East)

The Grand Final of the International Tour will be between Australia and Canada West.

Australia defeated Canada East by 3-0 this morning and Canada West defeated New Zealand by 2-1.

The Grand Final will be at 5pm at Auckland Grammar School. Note the venue change!

Here are the results from round eight, held in Whangarei this morning.

ROUND EIGHT: Whangarei, Friday 18 February at 11am

Format of debate: Prepared – This House would ban the solitary confinement of prisoners

USA B v Malaysia
India v New Zealand Development
New Zealand v USA A
South Korea v Canada West
Australia v Canada East

The top four teams to compete in the semi-finals will be announced tonight – but here are the standings after eight rounds. It looks like it will come down to speaker points as to who is the 4th breaking team!

Australia 7
New Zealand 7
Canada West 5
Canada East 4
India 4
New Zealand Development 4
South Korea 3
USA A 3
USA B 3
Malaysia 0

Here are the details of the semi-final debates.

SEMI-FINALS: Auckland, Saturday 19 February at 9.30am (prep starts 8.30)

Format of debate: Impromptu

Semi-final one will be at St Cuthbert’s College.

Semi-final two will be at King’s College.

GRAND FINAL: Auckland, Saturday 19 February at 5pm (prep starts at 4)

Format of debate: Impromptu

The Grand Final is at St Kentigern College.

Here are the results of round seven held this afternoon in Hamilton.

Impromptu Motion – This House would withdraw from Afghanistan immediately

Canada East v USA B
India v New Zealand
Australia v USA A
Malaysia v South Korea
New Zealand Development v Canada West

Here’s the leaderboard after round seven:

New Zealand 7
Australia 6
Canada West 4
India 4
Canada East 4
New Zealand Development 3
South Korea 3
USA A 2
USA B 2
Malaysia 0

One round to go and it’s tight at the top!

Here are the results of the debates held in Rotorua today.

Impromptu Topic: This House would allow individuals to sell their organs

Canada West v Malaysia at John Paul College
South Korea v USA A at Rotorua Girls’ High School
India v Canada East at John Paul College
New Zealand v Australia at Rotorua Boys’ High School
USA B v New Zealand Development at Mokoia Intermediate

Here’s the leaderboard after round six:

New Zealand 6
Australia 5
Canada West 4
India 4
Canada East 3
New Zealand Development 2
South Korea 2
USA A 2
USA B 2
Malaysia 0

Here are the results of the debates held today.

ROUND FOUR: Hastings, Tuesday 15 February at 11am

Prepared Debate: This House believes central banks should be directly elected by the people

USA A v Canada West
USA B v India
New Zealand Development v Australia
Canada East v Malaysia
New Zealand v South Korea

ROUND FIVE: Napier, Tuesday 15 February at 2pm

Prepared Debate: This House believes China should abolish restrictions on the number of children a family is allowed to have

Australia v USA B
Canada East v South Korea
Canada West v India
Malaysia v New Zealand
USA A v New Zealand Development

And here’s the leaderboard after five rounds:

New Zealand 5
Australia 5
Canada East 3
Canada West 3
India 3
New Zealand Development 2
USA A 2
USA B 1
Malaysia 0
South Korea 1

Here are the results of round 3 of the Tour, held in Palmerston North this afternoon.

This House believes university students should pay the full costs of their education

USA B v Canada West at Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Canada East v New Zealand at Palmerston North Boys’ High School
New Zealand Development v Malaysia at St Peter’s College
USA A v India at St Peter’s College
Australia v South Korea at St Peter’s College

Here’s the leaderboard after three rounds:

New Zealand 3
Australia 3
Canada East 2
New Zealand Development 2
India 2
USA B 1
USA A 1
Canada West 1
Malaysia 0
South Korea 0

Here are the details for tomorrow’s debates:

ROUND FOUR: Hastings, Tuesday 15 February at 11am

Format of debate: Prepared – This House believes central banks should be directly elected by the people

USA A v Canada West at Lindisfarne College
USA B v India at Lindisfarne College
New Zealand Development v Australia at St John’s College
Canada East v Malaysia at St John’s College
New Zealand v South Korea at St John’s College

All debates will start at 11am.

ROUND FIVE: Napier, Tuesday 15 February at 2pm

Format of debate: Prepared – This House believes China should abolish restrictions on the number of children a family is allowed to have

Australia v USA B at Napier Boys’ High School
Canada East v South Korea at Napier Boys’ High School
Canada West v India at Napier Boys’ High School
Malaysia v New Zealand at Napier Boys’ High School
USA A v New Zealand Development at Napier Boys’ High School

All debates will start at 2pm.