A passionate debate erupted in one of our HASS classes last week, when students were asked to argue for and against changing the date of Australia Day.
Our Year 8 Gifted and Talented students were divided into two opposing debating teams, spending time researching the social and ethical impacts of their argument.
HASS Associate Dean Michelle Statham said the students presented well-researched debates that even offered new dates and names for the public holiday.
“We have been studying Australia’s identity, multiculturalism and how our First Nations people have been treated throughout history, and this debate gave them a great chance to demonstrate their research abilities and oral speaking skills,” she said. “Ultimately the Against team won, due to their organisation and delivery, despite many of the students having to argue against their own personal views.”
