While it has been a year of uncertainties, the success of the 2020 NGS Super Virtual Debating Competition is affirmative.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing immense challenges for students in accessing extra-curricular activities, the merits of the NGS Super Virtual Debating Competition are being seen in schools across the country – in those undergoing restrictions, in remote and regional areas and those located in state border towns.
In 2020, more than 230 virtual debates will run with about 60 NSW independent and Catholic schools competing. The largest of the series to date, the 100+ teams are located across the country including Tasmania, WA, the Gulf of Carpentaria in Far North Queensland, the Snowy Mountains and western NSW. It has also provided access to schools undergoing Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne and those on the Victorian-NSW border towns of Albury-Wodonga.
AISNSW Debating Coordinator Corwin Hooper said the success of the NGS Super Virtual Debating Competition, now in its fifth year, has relied on good preparation, teacher ingenuity and kindness, and the support of organisations including sponsor NGS Super and adjudicating specialist Masters Academy.
AISNSW NGS Super Virtual Debating Coordinator Corwin Hooper says the debates have relied on teacher ingenuity and kindness.
“We’ve found the attitude of the other schools has been so positive and so appreciative in terms of difficulties of being away from school – the system changes we’ve had to adapt to because of lockdown become minor compared to the positive aspects it adds to the debating experience.”
“The Virtual Debating program is being seen as a solid, consistent program that supports students’ development in debating without having to leave the classroom or home,” Corwin said.
“We’ve had to adapt the rules to suit schools unable to have their teams in the classroom due to the pandemic and it’s proved be a great opportunity for students who just want to continue with their debates. Schools in the competition have been really supportive, which has been a wonderful outcome.”
For the Scotch College based in Melbourne where students are at home in lockdown due to Stage 4 restrictions, the competition has a special meaning.
Dressed in their school uniforms, the students have had to shift from their regular system of working face to face to prepare and rebut their debating opponents’ arguments to relying on Zoom and WhatsApp solely for communication.
Rebuttal in restrictions ... lockdown no match for Melbourne's Scotch College here with St Edward's College in Gosford.
The school’s Academic Extension Coordinator, Michele Linossier, said while it took a little time for the checks and balances to be put into place, the support of the competition community has meant the school can continue a positive program while undergoing the extremities of lockdown.
“It’s been fabulous because it has allowed the students to debate at a high level and to go through the debating process even in their own home – even without the interaction of their teammates that they would normally have because all preparation is done via technology,” Michele said.
“We’ve found the attitude of the other schools has been so positive and so appreciative in terms of difficulties of being away from school – the system changes we’ve had to adapt to because of lockdown become minor compared to the positive aspects it adds to the debating experience.”
Corwin said one of the value-adds of the program each year has been the insights and experience that students gain from learning about each other’s life and background, particularly those from small or remote schools.
“We’ve found the attitude of the other schools has been so positive and so appreciative in terms of difficulties of being away from school – the system changes we’ve had to adapt to because of lockdown become minor compared to the positive aspects it adds to the debating experience.”
“The kids have a really fantastic time seeing what life is like for the other teams. Some of the younger students such as those at Gulf Christian School in Far North Queensland are less experienced in debating, particularly against schools from other regions. They come up against one of the big powerhouse schools in the country’s capital such as Canberra Girls Grammar and they are just in awe; you can see it on the camera when they’re debating with them – they just love the experience.”
From mountains to sea ... team Snowy Mountains Grammar School gains cultural insight from schools across the country.
Senior English Teacher at Snowy Mountains Grammar said connecting with schools across the country and debating like-minded students in other schools has been one of the best aspects of the competition for her small group of debaters.
“It is giving our students a chance to match their skills and abilities with equal and often quite superior skills.
“It really comes down to a great opportunity continuing even if our landscape for learning has changed remarkably.”
“They’re gaining insight into how different parts of Australia also are being affected by the pandemic and how accommodating NGS Super Virtual Debating has been to different circumstances for different schools. It is teaching students and staff how to negotiate really well and have common sense about the situation,” Anne said.
The great debate: Calrossy Anglican School versus O'Connor Catholic College.
“The key thing is they’re able to continue to grow through their debating skills because the adjudicators have been really detailed in their feedback – so that’s a really great aspect to be reinforcing to students what the teachers are trying to teach them about the art of debating.”
Michele Linossier said the continuity of virtual debating has been a welcome relief when so many activities have been cancelled for her students.
“It really comes down to a great opportunity continuing even if our landscape for learning has changed remarkably.”
Chief Executive Officer of NGS Super and passionate debater, Laura Wright, said she was pleased the Virtual Debating Competition is going ahead and that NGS has again had the opportunity to support it.
“It is a perfect extra-curricular activity for these uncertain times. Debating gives students skills that have lifelong benefits, just like superannuation, which is there for a lifetime."
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