On Friday 5 September, the 2014 Debating Season came to an end. This year was particularly successful with strong results recorded across all year groups. More specifically the Year 8Bs and Year 10As and Year 10Bs had some very impressive results throughout the GPS Season.

After positive developments in the pre-season in which Newington’s 1sts team won the FED Cup for the first time in four years, a strong showing in the GPS competition was expected in the Senior Program. Fortunately these hopes were realised in the season’s results. Our 1sts lost only one debate to the traditional powerhouse of schools’ debating, Sydney Grammar School. Ben Adams (12/FL) continued on from his success in the 1sts last year and Sam Wallace’s (12/MO) efforts were justly rewarded with his selection to the GPS Representative 2nds Debating Team.

The 2nds were unlucky to have a number of close results go against them this season but were again ably led by Sean Hatten (12/ME). The experience of senior debating gained by the members of the 3rds now holds them in good stead for next year.

On behalf of the departing Year 12 debaters, I would like to thank Ms Shepherd for her organisation and assistance over the last few years. At the conclusion of my final year as part of the Newington Debating program, I am proud to have been involved with one of the College’s most successful and stimulating co-curricular activities. I am confident of a strong future for Newington Debating.

Sebastian Rees (12/PR)
Senior GPS Debater

Editor’s Post Script: We congratulate Sebastian on an outstanding year in which he was a member of NSW School’s Debating Team that won the National title earlier this year. He has also just been selected to GPS Representative 1sts Debating Team. He and Sam will now battle it out in the State Championships against the Archdale, CHS, and CAS rep teams for the NSW Representative Debating Cup. Read more about Sebastian’s success in the Australian Debating in Schools competition earlier this year here.