In response to the postponement of debating in all schools across the country, debating organisations collaborated and organised Aotearoa Schools' Online Debating (ASOD).

AOSD has allowed students around the country to find some normalcy, have some fun, and collaborate socially through debating, at a time when almost all extracurriculars have been postponed.

The whole set-up has been undertaken without the need for teacher input.

Here is an update from Abby Bowmar:

Schools debating is not only continuing under lockdown, but it has become bigger than ever, with Columba students competing with debaters across the entire country! Aotearoa Online Schools Debating allows students to debate every week over Zoom, and teams are speaking fantastically and enjoying interacting with so many new people.

Arguing topics ranging from streaming classes, to immortality, to commercialising dinosaurs, students have been performing very well. The Columba junior team of Sophie Boyle, Aliya Drake and Anise Maclean have won the majority of their debates, as have the premier mixed-school teams Lara Seaton and Abby Bowmar are speaking in. A Columba senior team of Penelope Hare, Jody Syme and Izzy Fraser is also entered into the Premier Division, debating the best teams in the country, and have won an amazing three out of three of their debates!

This is a wonderful initiative from the NZSDC that allows everyone to continue to speak, and some of our seniors to adjudicate. Coaching is also continuing, with development squad and regional team speakers keeping very busy! We are so grateful for this opportunity, but can’t wait for our club to resume again!

Abby Bowmar