MACKSVILLE Public School’s Year 6 Debating Team has been named the Premier’s NSW State Champions for 2025, the highest honour in primary school debating in New South Wales.
The statewide Premier’s Debating Challenge began earlier this year with more than 4,000 students taking part in full‑day skill-building workshops held across 48 venues.
These workshops were designed to help students refine their debating skills, boost confidence, and strengthen teamwork.
From there, over 1,100 school teams entered the competition, making the path to the top an extraordinary challenge.
Macksville Public’s team first conquered their local division before progressing to the regional knockout finals, where they maintained a flawless record.
Their success in every regional match earned them the title of North Coast regional champions and a coveted place at the NSW State Championships.
The state finals, held from 16 to 19 November at Stanwell Tops south of Sydney, brought together the top 10 regional champion teams from across New South Wales.
Across four preliminary rounds, the Macksville debaters impressed adjudicators with their clarity, logic, and teamwork, finishing the rounds as the highest‑ranked team on points.
Entering the semi-finals with momentum and confidence, the team delivered another outstanding performance, securing their place in the grand final.
In the decisive match, they once again rose to the occasion, debating with precision, maturity, and conviction well beyond their years.
Their grand final victory earned them the prestigious Hunter Challenge Trophy, a symbol of excellence that commemorates the competition’s origins dating back to 1995.
By Mick BIRTLES
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