What an electrifying year it's been for the Hurstville Campus Debaters, igniting passion, wit, and triumph with every riveting argument.

Wistfully, I recall our phenomenal journey into the exciting world of debating. For the Senior team, this journey ends in a celebration of the culmination of years of diligent application, collaboration, laughs and an unbending mutual respect. For our Juniors, this journey has only just begun.

This was, without a doubt, an incredible year for both our Senior and Junior debaters. A year of successes beyond our wildest dreams; a year where we were so close to regional finals victory, we could taste it!

Both teams applied themselves above and beyond - motivating each other, steadfastly working, collaborating in our physical and digital classrooms - 7 days a week - without a complaint. Recess and lunchtime were all about debating rehearsals; no handball, table tennis or hanging out with friends, each member made personal sacrifices which I hope has made them feel proud and enriched in fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping debating.

Junior Debating Team

Our Junior team embraced debating even after a soul crushing defeat on their first debate. Yet, they persevered and chalked it up to experience. As zone champions, their next debate would be with St George Girls HS in the regional finals, five debates later - as zone champions and regional finalists! Their journey may have ended there but what a performance!

High schools defeated: Blakehurst HS, Penshurst Campus (A), Penshurst Campus (B) and Caringbah HS.

Senior Debating Team

Our Senior team was driven to end their debating career here at Hurstville Campus with a resounding bang! Their undefeated debating took them all the way to the statewide knock out finals against Killara High School. This defeat marked the end of this closely knit and cohesive team, four years in the making. Their accomplishment should be written in the annals of Hurstville Campus’ history.

High schools defeated: Sylvania HS, Blakehurst HS, Peakhurst HS, Caringbah HS and South Sydney HS.

As their debating coordinator and coach, I am incredibly proud of all our students. I shared every success as well as every disappointment. I bid a fond farewell to our Seniors as they follow an academically intense path ahead and hope they embrace every challenge to realise their dreams. It has been a pleasure and an honour to collaborate with these intelligent, mature and outstanding young men.

For the Juniors - get ready to say goodbye to recess and lunchtime in 2024 - rehearsals are just around the corner!

Maria Papageorgiou I Debating Coordinator