Debating team makes it to the top

The Umina Beach Public School senior debating team made it to the top 16 schools in the Hunter-Central Coast region for the Year 5-6 Premier's Debating Challenge.

"This team did so well in their local debates that they were selected to compete in the knockout rounds," said deputy principal Mr Chad Tsakissiris.

"Their first knockout competition was against Dudley Public School and Umina Beach won the debate.

"When they competed in the next round of the competition against Adamstown Public School, the topic was that 'Students in primary school should only receive feedback instead of grades and marks'.

"The Umina Beach team were the affirmative and had to agree with this statement.

"Some of their arguments included: that receiving grades and scores did not tell a student how they can improve, that verbal and written feedback was more important and useful to students and parents, that grades and marks were unnecessary in primary school and also that receiving marks and grades could cause stress, anxiety and disappointment and it allowed students to compare their progress to others in a negative way.

"Both teams conveyed very convincing arguments and it was a very close debate," Mr Tsakissiris said.

"Unfortunately we lost this round.

"However, we are very proud of these hardworking students and their progress in the competition," Mr Tsakissiris concluded.

Newsletter, 12 Sep 2017

Chad Tsakissiris, Umina Beach Public School