In this world of rapid change and shifting geopolitical tensions, the ability to argue persuasively, engage diplomatically and advocate critically is vital for our students’ futures.

Benjamin Chamberlain and Evan Grillakis understand this. The pair are two of more than 100 Newington students actively involved in the College’s rigorous and robust Debating and Oratory Program. Overseen by Director of Debating, Mr Vatche Ansourian, the program currently instructs and tutors students in public speaking and persuasive speech. Starting next year, it will also include training their negotiation skills as well.

This week Evan and Ben travelled to Melbourne to represent Newington in the national final of The Evatt Model United Nations competition. Run by UN Youth Australia, it’s a battle of quick wits, informed intellects and rousing rhetoric.

‘The competition is a simulation of a UN Security Council Session, where as a delegation of two, you are allocated a country and debate various global issues in the form of a resolution, so it really tests your general knowledge as you have no idea what to expect for these debates’ says Ben, who with two older sisters, says he learnt to debate at a young age.

Earlier this year in only Newington’s second year in the competition, Ben and Evan came third in NSW out of over 300 teams. This week they faced off in Melbourne against 29 teams in the final from schools across Australia and New Zealand drawn from Years 9 to 12.

Mr Tom Robinson, the College’s Public Speaking Coordinator was pivotal in the organisation of getting Newington to the United Nations final. A two day competition, Newington was selected to represent Ecuador. Over three days of dynamic deliberation and dispute, Ben and Evan were called upon to debate on resolutions and motions in the main chamber, and on the sidelines to make back room deals and have nuanced negotiations.

‘We have a good debating dynamic,’ says Ben.

‘Evan is a loud and commanding speaker who captures everyone’s attention, so he is at home in the main chamber while I like to move around out back and try to square things up and negotiate a settlement that works for everyone.’

Earlier this year, Evan was part of the Newington team which travelled to Athens to represent Australia in the Model European Parliament. He too discovered a propensity for debating at an early age at home.

‘I think my parents would agree that I debate perhaps a bit too much at home,’ Evan says.

‘But I have an older brother and a younger brother so as the middle child, there’s is a lot of debating space right there.’

Today, Evan equates debating to solving a conundrum. ‘Debating provides a lot of opportunity to think critically,’ he says.

‘It’s very much like a puzzle, where you need to solve a problem logically to get to an end goal and prove a point. Preparation is crucial especially when dealing with something as dynamic as negotiations, so you have your knowledge on the topics and your opposition ready.’

‘In the recent UN final, you also needed to be able to compromise but not lose the essence of your argument. The idea is to persuade people they should adopt what you believe, as well as remain open minded to adapt to what they may believe. In this format, there is no winner because what you want is a resolution and resolutions usually demand compromise, so the benefits extend to all parties.’

To Ben, structure in delivery is key to doing well and achieving the desired outcomes.

‘It’s all about developing how you structure an argument and making sure it has a critical and logical flow,’ Ben says.

‘The coherency of your points, and how you convey your thoughts in a logical manner, fundamentally determines how both the judges and the other delegations perceive them. This style of argument is something our debating coaches really help us focus on and has been a helpful and transferrable skill to all of my other writing-based subjects.’

Learning to debate, public speak or negotiate is an acquired skill for many students, says Mr Ansourian.

‘Pleasingly, young people are happy to make themselves heard at home, in the classroom and the playground but standing up to debate or public speak in front of an audience of their peers can be daunting,’ says Mr Ansourian.

‘One of the things Newington’s Debating Program does really well is it has what I call brave spaces; inclusive places where students can feel brave and courageous to be able to put themselves forward to try debating or public speaking or negotiating in a safe space.

‘Some of our seasoned debaters like Ben and Evan have been debating since Year 7 and the breadth and strength of our program means every incoming Year 7, and every student in any other Year across the College, is welcomed to come along and have a crack.

‘Some might give it a go and find it is not for them but once they continue with us from Year 8, we find our debaters and public speakers are 99% involved until they graduate in Year 12.

‘And that’s a wonderful thing because here at Newington we want to help produce young people who have the agency to go into life to not only advocate, negotiate and champion for themselves but for others too.’