WPGA Debating Success

By Ms. T. Lee, Debate Coach

St. John’s Grade 8 Invitational Debates
Thursday, October 21 marked the start of the debate season for the newest members of our WPGA debate program. Three teams represented our school, debating the motion that schools should offer a mandatory class for teaching awareness around the use of online social networking sites. At the end of three rounds, the top debater at the tournament was our very own, Lloyd Lyall (8ABr). Congratulations also to Grade 8 debaters: Harley Bacon, Yelena Chen, Jivana Basra, Sarah Deretic, William Xiao.

International Independent Schools Public Speaking & Debate Championships

More than 150 students representing 50 independent schools from Canada, USA, UK, Scotland, Bermuda, India, Cyprus, Jordan and Australia attended this year’s International Independent Schools Public Speaking and Debate Championships. Hosted by Ashbury College, Ottawa, West Point Grey was represented by Jessica Dorfmann, Alessandra Harkness and Katherine Griffin. The tournament received quite a bit of publicity, particularly since the final rounds were held in the Canadian Senate. Our official hosts on the Hill were Senator Anne Cools and Speaker of the House, Mr. Peter Milliken. Jessica Dorfmann was our highest ranking competitor placing 30th overall and 15th out of the Canadian competitors.

BC Qualifiers & Canadian National Team Tryouts

Each year, the Canadian Students Debating Federation (CSDF) holds tryouts to select the members of the Canadian National Team who will commit to a year representing our country in international tournaments abroad and culminating in the World Schools Debating Championship. Each province is able to send three delegates to these tryouts, but in BC, students must first qualify for these three spots by competing at provincial tryouts. Five of our students advanced to the BC Qualifiers as a result of their achievements at last year’s Provincials: Liam Carson, Jessica Dorfmann, Alessandra Harkness, Robbie Legge and Hayaat Stuart-Khafaji. Two of these students, Liam Carson and Jessica Dorfmann, have advanced to the national team tryouts to be held at Havergal School, Toronto from November 28-29. We wish them the best of luck!

2011 Canadian National Team Members

This past February, Canada clinched the World Schools Debating Champions title with three West Point Grey debaters on the roster. Although these debating dynamos have graduated and gone on to pursue their studies across Canada and overseas, WPGA debaters Peter McCauley and Ashley Bowron will continue the tradition on this year’s Team Canada 2011. The two have already begun their training, attending the Team Canada training camp held at the University of Toronto this past July, and competing at the first international tournament this past August in Olomouc, Czech Republic. They will test their mettle next month at the European Debating Championships in Stuttgart, Germany against thirty-six other national teams. For more information about our debaters, please check here.