New Zealand Schools’ Debating

Christ’s College win Senior Press 2010

The 2010 Russell McVeagh Canterbury Schools’ Debating Regionals’ Champs were held over the weekend of the 15^th & 16^th May at St. Andrew’s College, with 22 teams participating.

There were five preliminary rounds with the first two rounds on the motion “This House would allow citizens to sell their vote”. The weekend also saw limited preparation debates on “That Obama did not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize”, “This House would bring back the death penalty” and that “Teachers should be paid on performance”.

The semi-finals were hotly contested, with Christ’s College debating St. Margaret’s College and Papanui High School taking on Christchurch Girls’ High, both on the topic of “That we support mining our national parks”. Christ’s College and Papanui High School emerged as the victors and faced each other in the final that evening.

Papanui High School in the Final

Michael Jones (Papanui) speakes for the affirmative in the final

“This House would refuse to negotiate with terrorists” was the motion for a highly competitive final, which took place in the Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers to an audience of about 100 people. A split panel saw Christ’s College win the debate on the negative, and thus win the Press Cup for 2010.

Christ’s College – Winners, Press Cup 2010

Papanui High School – Runners-Up, Press Cup 2010

The final was kindly attended by our patron, the Dean of University of Canterbury’s Law School, Professor Richard Scragg. We were also privileged to have members of the English Speaking Union (ESU), Canterbury debating’s sponsor, in attendance.

Overall, the weekend was a great success. The following prizes were given out:

Lions Club of Blenheim Pakeke / Christchurch North Pakeke Award for Most Promising Speaker
Billy Clemens (Papanui High School)

Lions Club, Christchurch Host Cup for Most Promising School
Linwood College

Highly Commended speakers
Ashleigh Ooi
Estelle Geach
Cassandra Rea

Canterbury Regional Schools’ Development team
Victoria Rea
Robert Cooper
Billy Clemens

Canterbury Regional Schools’ Debating Squad
Sophie Boot
Zoe Higgins
Tim Robinson
Michael Jones
Perry Carter
Alex Kendall

Canterbury Speaking Union Trophy for Best Speaker
Sophie Boot

Erin Jackson
Convenor, Canterbury Regional Schools’ Debating Champs 2010

Previous Winners
Previous winners of the Canterbury Regional Schools’ Debating Championships can be found here.

Most Promising Team
Previous recipients of the Most Promising Team award can be found here.

Best Speaker
Previous recipients of the Best Speaker award can be found here.

Most Promising Speaker
Previous recipients of the Most Promising Speaker award can be found here.

2008 Championship
A report of the 2008 Canterbury Regional Schools’ Debating Championship can be found here.

2007 Championship
A report of the 2007 Canterbury Regional Schools’ Debating Championship can be found here.

2005 Championship
A report of the 2005 Canterbury Regional Schools’ Debating Championship can be found here.