The Canterbury Regional Schools Debating Championships were hosted at the University of Canterbury on the 3rd-4th of March. 22 teams from 11 schools battled it out in an excellent exhibition of debating skills, with motions ranging from compulsory voting to the West’s response to Donald Trump.
After five preliminary rounds, four teams broke through to the semi-finals: St Margaret’s College, Christ’s College, Cashmere High School, and Marian College. After two close semis, Cashmere defeated St Margaret’s while Marian defeated Christ’s College.
The final was a though-provoking and high-quality debate on whether a tax should be placed on companies that replace workers with robots or automated systems. After a close debate, Cashmere High School were declared winners.
Over the course of the weekend, a regional team was also selected to represent Canterbury at the New Zealand Schools Debating Championship. Congratulations to the following students who received awards:
Runners Up – Marian College
Izzy Bloxham
Louise Daley
Katie Ryan
Winners – Cashmere High School
Jess Tater
Lilly Van Keulen
Charlotte Boyle
Promising Speaker Award:
Joshua Stevenson (Christ’s College)
Most Promising Speaker Award:
Charlotte Boyle (Cashmere High School)
Highly Commended Awards:
Maddi Halliday (Rangi Ruru Girls’ School)
Izzy Bloxham (Marian College)
Reserve to the Canterbury Regional Team:
Aisha O’Malley (St Margaret’s College)
Members of the Canterbury Regional Team:
Milly O’Brien (St Margaret’s College)
Wills Wynn Thomas (Christ’s College)
Megan Blackwood (St Andrew’s College)
Best Style:
Wills Wynn Thomas (Christ’s College)
Best Speaker:
Milly O’Brien (St Margaret’s College)