The Maclean High School debating team has secured the Regional Championships after two days of grueling and intense debates. The four person squad led by coach Melissa O’Neill and consisting of first speaker, Caitlin McInnes, second speaker Kai Hogan, third speaker Paris Brailsford and team advisor, Jonah Menzies are elated following this year’s Debating Camp.

With one of the largest regions in the state that spans from the QLD border down to Bulladellah, the competition is extremely tough. With contemporary issues being debated such as “We should make mathematics compulsory in Year 11 and 12”, “We should ban junk food advertising” and the Regional final topic “That schools should only give feedback and not marks, grades or ranks” the students

were academically challenged over the exhausting two day camp.

On top of the amazing success the team experienced, Caitlin McInnes was nominated for the North Coast Junior State Debating Team which means she will travel to Sydney to compete in the State Championships in December.

This is the second year in a row that Maclean High School has had a representative in the State Debating Team, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of our students.

The team will now progress to debate against the other Regional winners in the State later this term.