Trinity College School students rose to the challenge with enthusiasm, as the Senior School houses faced off in a new debating format for the 2023-2024 school year.
The new approach is intended to allow students with a keen interest in debating to represent their houses over the course of the four rounds of competition. Prior to the start of the debates, faculty member and debate team coach Greg MacPherson led two sessions of debate training and preparation.
The first round of House Debates took place on Tuesday, January 30th, with all 10 Senior School houses participating at the Junior (Grades 9 and 10) and Senior (Grades 11 and 12) levels. The top house at each level moves directly to the final. The second round of debate will see second place face fifth place, and third place face fourth place. The winners of the two second round debates will square off in the semi-finals to earn a spot in the final, set for February 8th.
This year’s debates will feature prepared arguments, with participants learning the resolution prior to each round of debate. They take place in the parliamentary format, where one house represents the government (in support of the resolution) and the other house is the opposition.
Monday’s opening round of debate was a high quality contest, making the judges’ decisions very difficult.
At the Junior level, students argued the merits of restricting violent video games to people aged 18 and above. Earning first place and a spot in the final is Burns House. Houses moving on to round two are: Hodgetts, who will face Brent; and Wright to meet Ketchum.
At the Senior level, debaters tackled a resolution to “make Canadian history and civics mandatory in Grade 12.” Orchard House stood atop the scoreboard and moves directly to the final. The second round of debate will feature Hodgetts versus Burns; and Bethune against Scott.
Stay tuned for results from round two!
