Columba’s track record in debating continues with Head Prefect Lydia Joseph selected to represent New Zealand at the world debating championships in Croatia.

Lydia and her Otago-Southland teammates, fellow Columba student Bridget Scott and Sabrina Swerdloff (Otago Girls High School), were runners-up at the national debating competition in Wellington at the end of May. 

The team competed against Auckland Blue in the finals, debating the moot This House Would require MP's who are expelled or choose to leave their parties caucus to resign from parliament.

From this competition Lydia was selected to captain the team to represent New Zealand at the world championships alongside team members Sabrina Swerdloff, Nicholas Goodman (Hamilton Boys’ High School), William Price (Westlake Boys’ High School) and Alan Zhang (Macleans College). 

The next few weeks will bring many hours of research and practice for Lydia and her teammates as they prepare for the world competition in July. However, this is an incredible achievement and we know Lydia will represent her country and school well.