The Bees faced four riveting debates, winning two and losing two. This mix of victories and losses provided a valuable opportunity for the Year 5 students in particular, to hone their skills and come back even stronger next year.
On the other side of the competition, the JPS Accelerators showcased their prowess by winning two debates and losing just one. Their journey took an unexpected turn during the fourth debate when Broulee Public School forfeited, leading the Accelerators to a knock-out final against Cooma North Public Coldies. Rising to the challenge, they secured victory, earning their ticket to the Regional Final.
In a competition featuring nearly 1000 teams from across the state, the students' remarkable performance was nothing short of impressive, considering their level of experience. The regional finals, held to determine the regional champions who would advance to the state 3-day tournament, saw the Jindabyne Accelerators presenting the affirmative case on the topic: "That parents should bribe their children to get off social media." Although they presented strong arguments, they narrowly missed victory, conceding to Lakelands Public School.
Reflecting on the experience, Alana from the Jindabyne Bees expressed that it was challenging to build the confidence to speak in front of an audience. However, she thoroughly enjoyed learning about new topics and engaging in spirited debates. "I learnt how to rebut people's arguments and how to make it harder for the other team to rebut what I say," she said.
Sophie from the Accelerators, who took on the role of 3rd speaker, admitted that writing rebuttals within the time limit was challenging. However, she found joy in the camaraderie of debating with friends and believed it had significantly improved her public speaking skills and confidence.
With only two students from each team having prior debating experience, the students made impressive strides in their debating skills. One such student, Murphy, new to debating, found rebuttals to be his favourite part of the experience, which many consider the most challenging aspect of a debate.
Amelie, also from the Jindabyne Bees, shared her perspective. Initially apprehensive, she quickly realised that preparation and the support of her teammates helped her develop confidence. Her favorite part of the journey was the competition itself, with the suspense of awaiting the debate results adding to the thrill.
During lunchtime sessions, students dedicated their time to train and refine their debating skills under the guidance of teachers Mrs. Dwyer and Mrs. Raine. Mrs. Raine reflected on the growth of the Stage 3 debaters, stating, "They learned the art of persuasive argument. They embraced feedback after each round and tirelessly worked to enhance their skills in presenting ideas and countering their opponents. I am proud of their dedication and creativity in presenting unique arguments for the adjudicators' consideration. I think parents better watch out; their children are now well-equipped to put forward an argument for a new pet. Before they know it, they will be convinced that it's vital to have a dog or cat. Well done on some fantastic debates this year; I'm looking forward to working with next year's debaters."
The journey of JPS students in the NSW Premier's Debating Competition was one of growth, teamwork, and determination. Their achievements this year are a testament to their hard work, and the guidance of their teachers. With the experience gained, they are well-prepared to face future challenges and continue their journey in the world of debating. However, Mrs. Dwyer was keen to highlight that for JPS students the debating journey doesn't end there; the lunch time Debating Club will continue, with students from Year 4 and 5 encouraged to participate in preparation for next year's Year 5/6 Premier's Debating Challenge.
