Stanmore debaters soar to double victory
31 Jul 2026
This week, Stanmore Cockatoos (Eliza R, Hoz S L, Willa M and Emerson B) and Stanmore Kookaburras (Eliza M, Maya H, Tulsi H and Lucille K) hosted Marrickville PS in the last debates against external opponents in the Zone 15 competition.
Cockatoos
The Cockatoos team faced Marrickville Blue and were tasked with arguing the negative standpoint on the topic: that schools should stop hiring cleaners and instead make students who break the rules do all the work.
The adjudicator praised their ability to provide arguments to support their opinions that this is not a fair or appropriate solution to a problem that may or may not exist in schools at present. She also praised their ability to provide rebuttals that contained examples to demonstrate their points against the affirmative’s suggestions. They were encouraged to refine their techniques for managing deviations from the conventional structure of a debate.
The Cockatoos team were announced to be the winners of the debate as they proved that the current system in schools works.
Kookaburras
The Kookaburras team faced the Marrickville Gold team. Their topic was that we should get rid of all school leadership positions like captains, prefects and the SRC.
Stanmore Kookaburras had to argue the affirmative standpoint in an extremely challenging debate against a strong Marrickville team.
The team successfully won the debate, outclassing the Gold team by developing strong rebuttals with examples against their arguments, rather than just saying an idea was “wrong”.
A special thanks to Nina S and Ava W for taking on the roles of chairperson and timekeeper in each debate, and to Mr Heinecke for coming along during recess to be part of the audience.
Why debating matters
Debating helps primary school students develop confidence, communication, and critical thinking skills.
By researching topics, organising ideas, and presenting arguments, students learn how to express their opinions clearly and respectfully. Debating also encourages active listening, teamwork, and the ability to consider different perspectives.
These valuable skills support learning across all areas of the curriculum and help participants become thoughtful, confident, and engaged students.
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