Champs - no argument - March 2016

STRENGTH TO STRENGTH: The Wanganui High School debating team (from left) - Vincent Collins, Boston Flanagan-Connors, Gabrielle Penn, Connor Cresswell, Jeanne-Marie Bonnet, Jack Southee, Jackie-Hazelhurst, Alister Hughes and Raoul Sarup.

Wanganui High School won the annual Russell McVeagh Central North Island debating competition in Palmerston North last weekend.

The competition involved 18 schools from across the region debating topics ranging from whether we should memorialise past wars, to whether the first three years of tertiary study should be free.

President of the NZ Schools Debating Council Josh Baxter said the competition was fierce.

"The standard at the Central North Island competition was particularly strong."

Mr Baxter was especially impressed by the performance of Wanganui High.

"Wanganui have gone from strength to strength really, they often produce some of New Zealand's best debaters. We've seen several individuals from High School represent New Zealand overseas," he said.

Wanganui High debating coach Susan Hughes said she was "extremely proud of how they did".

Overall 12 students from Wanganui took part in the competition - nine from High School and three from Wanganui Collegiate.

Four High School students and two from Palmerston North High have been chosen to represent the region in the national finals.

"Central North Island has a proud record at the nation competition, having made it to the knockout stage despite not having as many weekly rounds as the others. It's certainly a team that punches above its weight," said Mr Baxter.

The national finalists are eligible to be one of a five-person team selected to travel to Germany to represent New Zealand in the world championship.

(Wanganui Chronicle 19/3/16)

Results:

Winners: Wanganui High School B
Jeanne-Marie Bonnet
Connor Cresswell
Jack Southee

Best Speaker
Gabrielle Penn (Wanganui High School)

Central North Island Squad:-
Gabrielle Penn (Wanganui High School)
Jackie Hazelhurst (Wanganui High School)
Denzel Chung (Palmerston North Boys’ High School)
Milo Costanza-van Den Belt (Palmerston North Boys’ High School)
Alister Hughes (Wanganui High School)
Jeanne-Marie Bonnet (Wanganui High School)