REASONED arguments were the focus at the Wehl Street Theatre last week as students from across the region participated in debating at the Mount Gambier Eisteddfod.
Year 6 students from across Mount Gambier and surrounds debated on various topics on the Tuesday morning.
After a series of tight contests, the top two teams could not be split, so the honours were shared between Reidy Park Primary School and Compton Primary School.
The winning team from Reidy Park Primary School was Sienna Ashcroft, Olivia Gwilym and Cheyanne Kasparian.
Winners from Compton Primary School were Bailey Rothall, Fionn Graney and Caleb Munro.
The best debater award went to Compton Primary School student Bailey Rothall and runner-up best debater was Reidy Park’s Sienna.
Bailey also won the Lions Encouragement Award trophy for the best primary debater across the eisteddfod.
The senior secondary division followed on Wednesday, attracting schools from Penola and Naracoorte as well as local high schools.
Grant High School won the shield, with the team comprising of Anne Rasmussen, Meg Wilson and Abby Little.
Grant High School student Abby Little was also the best senior debater and runner up was Naracoorte High School student Renee Pomery.
The Thursday program featured primary division one, which debated the emphasis on school fitness, mobile phones in school and the driving age.
After a series of entertaining and dramatic debates, the Compton Primary School team consisting of Hayden Crow, Miguel Rigopoulis and Hamish Golding emerged as the winners.
The best debater was Compton Primary School student Michaela Thompson and runner-up was Compton student Miguel Rigopoulis.
The final day’s debates were in the junior secondary division.
The division winners were St Martins Lutheran College students Agnes Doyle, Sophie Lillecrapp and Htoo Eh Main Min.
The best debater went to St Martins Lutheran College student Olivia Ellis with the runner-up place awarded to Mount Gambier High School student Sarah Dally.
Adjudicators Andrew Moore, Rory McEwen, Marg Kaethner and Brad Mann were an integral part of the eisteddfod’s success as their feedback and experience were invaluable in developing the skill of public speaking.
