DEBATING

A DEBATE is a process that involves formal discussion on a particular topic. Debating will help you take on whatever life throws at you, both in the classroom and in life.

At SJPC we encourage students to become involved in debating and participate in the Catholic Schools Debating Association CSDA regional competition. This involves teams of students debating against other schools in a state competition. 

Debating is not just about being able to speak well - it’s about learning to embrace a wide variety of arguments. The process forces participants to respect the other side of an argument and question one's own opinion. Debating helps develop critical thinking skills, making students curious about new ideas while also retaining some scepticism, developing empathy and building a healthy attitude to questioning. 

Debating means students embrace many and varied topics, making them more politically and socially aware and better able to connect and relate both socially and in the workplace. This empathy is an important life skill, as is the confidence to speak and communicate.

Debating helps with all aspects of schooling and life - developing confidence in manner, clarity in organisation of thoughts and extensive knowledge in many fields.