Debating

Debating continues to thrive at Karamu High School. We have always had a strong representation regionally and even nationally when it comes to debating. It is exciting to watch our students showcase not only their speaking skills, but also their ability to think critically. 2019 was a great year in debating. The highlight of our debating calendar is the annual Regional Debating Competition. At the beginning of the year, our debaters arrive at school at 7am every Wednesday to prepare for this key competition. The competition weekend is intense, and sees many of the top debating schools in Hawke’s Bay gather to debate. As we do every year, Karamu High School shone. One of our teams, made up of Erika Balestie Diaz (Year 12), Thea Morton (Year 12) and Sophie Jones (Year 12), managed to maintain their winning streak, right up to the semi-final. Although we did not come away with the overall win, our students were extremely well represented in the list of accolades. Thea Morton was selected to represent Hawke’s Bay in the National competition. Sophie Jones was awarded a Most Promising Speaker award and was selected as a reserve for the Regional team. Jessica Shoemark was awarded a Promising Speaker award and Amber Flashoff was given a Highly Commended award. It was fantastic to see so many of our students recognised for their debating talent. On top of their busy academic schedule, our students then continued to compete in the inter school competition. This enabled the students to continue to develop their skills in this extremely competitive environment. The Karamu Teams presented some strong competition for the region and came away with several successes over the year. The future of debating at Karamu High School is very bright. Although we are sad to farewell some of our amazing Year 13 Debaters, the contingent coming through from Year 10, 11 and 12 present a force to be reckoned with. Farewell to 2019 and look out 2020.

Debating Coaches

Back row: Thea Morton, Blake Manson, Lucy McKay, Jamie Hollway, Kade Lindsay, Jessica Shoemark Middle row: Ella Lindsay-Smith, Stella Hinton, Keelan Heesterman, Dean Polak, Ethin Templeton, Paige Flashoff, Abigail Kilkolly Front row: Amie Hazelwood, Rana Cetinturk, Sophie Jones, Romona Wainohu, Erika Balestie Diaz, Sammi Eaglestone, Maia Colman-Savage

Debating Year 11

Back row: Stella Hinton, Ethin Templeton, Keelan Heesterman, Paige Flashoff, Miss C Woodhall Front row: Amie Hazelwood, Maia Colman-Savage, Blake Manson, Rana Cetinturk, Sammi Eaglestone

Debating Year 12 & 13

Back row: Amber Flashoff, Dean Polak, Abigail Kilkolly, Jamie Hollway, Mrs A Price Front row: Sophie Jones, Erika Balestie Diaz, Thea Morton, Ella Lindsay-Smith, Jessica Shoemark, Romona Wainohu

Debating Juniors

Back row: Leah Boyd, Toia Marsh, Jade Hemmings, Maddison Palmer, Elli Weber, Sascha MacDonald, Jess Webb, Cody Wilson Middle row: Lilah Pruckmuller-Brown, Tyler Heesterman, Braden Cooper, Jack Arcus, John RoseSmissen, Daniel O’Connor, Chantelle Toko-Dyer Front row: Annahdale Laau, Victoria Hurndell, Emma Hope, Alicia Anasapi, Jessica Haerewa, Linda Norman, Hennah Nazneen, Brianna Connor