​The Mary Immaculate Debating Team is made up of students from Years 5 and 6. They practice and compete in Terms 2 and 3 with other primary schools around the area.

For a student to join the Debating Team, they will need to speak with Mrs Alison Smith or Miss Kathryn Allan to assess if space is available. 

What are the benefits of a debating team in primary school?

There are many benefits of debating in schools. Here are some of the most important ones:

• ​Improved critical thinking skills. Debating forces students to think critically about the topics they are debating. They have to research the issue, analyse the arguments on both sides and develop their own arguments. This process helps them to sharpen their critical thinking skills.
  
• Enhanced communication skills. Debating requires students to communicate their ideas effectively, both orally and in writing. They have to be able to clearly articulate their arguments, and they have to be able to listen to and respond to the arguments of others. This process helps them to improve their communication skills.
  
• Increased knowledge retention. Debating helps students to retain the information they learn. This is because they are actively engaged in the learning process. They are not just passively listening to a lecture, they are actively researching, analysing and arguing about the information. This helps them to remember the information more effectively.
  
• Developed teamwork skills. Debating is a team sport. Students have to work together to research the issue, develop their arguments, and deliver their speeches. This process helps them to develop teamwork skills.
• Increased confidence. Debating can help students to increase their confidence. This is because they have to speak in front of an audience, and they have to defend their ideas against opposing arguments. This process can help them to overcome their fear of public speaking and to develop a more confident personality.
  

Overall, debating is a valuable activity that can provide students with many benefits, It can help them to improve their critical thinking skills, communication skills, knowledge retention, teamwork skills, and confidence. If you are interested in debating, we encourage you to speak with Mrs Alison Smith or Miss Kathryn Allan.