Australia should close its zoos! That’s what Braidwood Central’s Year 7 and 8 debating team had to argue against Goulburn High at the regional semi-final in Wollongong.
All the students involved [in debating] have done wonderfully as critical thinkers and as representatives of their town.
Maxx Bigg, Tashani Davidson-Fuller, Tegan Lewis and Ananta Bajracharya argued that zoos cause harm to wild animals confined in unnatural conditions.
Though the team’s arguments were strong, they were not quite well enough explained to overcome their opponents’ points about the educative and economic value of zoos.
Despite this, the team came equal third out of the 32 teams in the region.
They also showed great spirit in the way they engaged the students from other schools in friendly conversation before and after their debates.
This year, all of Braidwood Central’s high school teams have reached the finals.
Years 7-8 and 9-10 both came equal third in the region and Years 11-12 went on to the state finals, coming equal fifth in NSW.
All the students involved have done wonderfully as critical thinkers and as representatives of their town.
