Posted by Peter Woodcock on Aug 22, 2017

In 1983, Past District Governor Noel Holyoake initiated an intellectual challenge involving young people from the three secondary schools in the Pakuranga area – Edgewater College, Pakuranga College and St. Kentigern College.

Every year since then teams from two of the schools lock verbal horns in the annual Holyoake Debate, an event always eagerly anticipated and invariably enjoyed by appreciative Rotarians, parents and guests.

On Monday, cup-holders St. Kentigern College are being challenged by Pakuranga College.  Don’t miss this highlight of the Rotary year and bring family and friends.

The winner from a debate faces the school-in-waiting in the subsequent year so all get an even chance to get their school’s name engraved on the trophy. The impressive trophy for the winner and miniature cups and cash rewards for both teams are presented at the conclusion of the debate through the generosity of Noel and Betty.

In recent years, largely because of demands on students’ time, the rules used by Secondary School Debating organisers apply, the moot being presented to the contesting teams at midday on the day of the debate.  A high pressure afternoon and early evening’s preparation follows before the pros and cons are revealed to the expectant audience.  The quality of the cut and thrust used by debaters has continued to impress as debating skills rather than content remain the focus of the adjudication system.

On Monday, cup-holders St. Kentigern College are being challenged by Pakuranga College.  Don’t miss this highlight of the Rotary year and bring family and friends.