Statewide Recognition for Top Scoring Debaters

An invitation to try out for the 2026 Victorian Schools’ Team has been extended to two St Catherine’s School debaters by the Debaters’ Association of Victoria.

Based on their performance in the Hawthorn Region Interschool debates, Victoria Guan (Year 10) and Holly Farrer (Year 9), have been invited to take part in the trials for the 2026 Victorian Schools’ Team Squad. The trials are open to all, but it is a great honour for these students to receive a personalised invitation based on their debating prowess in 2025.

The Victorian Schools’ Team (VST) is a mixed year level group that represents the state at the National Schools’ Debating Championships, with winning teams going on to represent Australia at the World Championships.

As well as being award recipients on Speech Night, this acknowledgement is further testament to Victoria and Holly’s commitment to the Debating and Public Speaking Program as they have both participated extensively. In addition to debating in the Hawthorn Region, Victoria and Holly have represented St Catherine’s in the Intermediate DAV British Parliamentary Debating and the Intermediate DAV Public Speaking Competition. Holly also took part in the Rostrum ‘Voice of Youth’ Competition.

All the debaters and public speakers from Years 7 to 12 are to be congratulated on their commitment, enthusiasm and efforts in 2025 and we look forward to an equally dynamic and thriving co-curricular offering next year.