Further to the success of Isobel Fraser, Abby Bowmar and Penelope Hare making up the Otago/Southland team (the first time in debating that all three regional representatives have been from the same school), Isobel has gained a place on the national team.

Last weekend, the New Zealand Schools' Debating Council held a pre-Nationals debating tournament to give teams from around the country the chance to debate each other and gain valuable feedback before the National Championship in August, as well as select a New Zealand team to debate at the upcoming Vancouver Mini-Worlds and World Schools Debating Championships, to be held online in July-August this year.

Twelve regional representative teams from around the country competed in the event, with the Otago-Southland regional team composed of three Columba College students, Penelope Hare, Abby Bowmar, and Isobel Fraser. The team won two out of their three debates, and was extremely competitive throughout the day.

Isobel Fraser was amongst the five students chosen to represent New Zealand at the upcoming World Debating Championships. This is the third time in the last five years that a Columba student has been selected for the National team, continuing the fine tradition of Columba debating. The team would like to thank Ms Togneri for her untiring commitment and encouragement.