James Ruse has a fine debating tradition with teams from all grades entered in a number of competitions, training days and gala days. Great success and experience is gained by all selected in these teams who are given expert training by teachers and outside mentors and tutors. Debating is also a component of junior English programs with vigorous rivalry evident within class and year groups. Some successes achieved in debating in 2007 included:

• The Year 12 debating team - State finalists (Mrs Billing)
• Year 11 debating team - Regional finalists (Mrs Mason)
• Year 7-8 debating team - Regional semi-finalists ( Mrs Steele)
• Public speaking success for Pristine Ong, Laura Wilde and Carol Yu ( Mr McFadyen and Mrs Mayers)

		That Australia' s terror laws are denying justice. Controversial? Debateable? Certainly the latter. This was the topic that finally undid the Year 12 debating team in 2007. The team has been debating together since Year 10 and whereas the members started out with no experience and little technique they came together as a most effective and successful unit to the extent that in Year 11 they won the Premier's Debating Challenge and in Year 12 reached the State semi-finals for the Year 12 Premier's Debating Challenge. The topic was a demanding one, especially as the team was the negative, as the topic challenged the students' own feelings. The opponents were old enemies from Sydney Boys High and once again, their really impressive knowledge of the topic outdid what our students knew about terrorism. However, the debate was a close one and the adjudicators took some time to reach their decision.
		Debating is a very popular extra curricula activity for many of our students. In 2007, t he debating season for Year 9 was indisputably educational and fun experience with the team participating in various contests throughout the year comprising of a number of challenging yet enjoyable debates. The initial debate was against Crestwood High School who were engaging in every aspect, providing warm hospitality as well as a stimulating debate. The two topics were That viewer censorship is irrelevant and That private cars should be excluded from the city. One of our more interesting debates further in the year was against Ruse's own Year 10 team, where the topic was That capital punishment has a place in our society. All the aforementioned debates were part of the Premier's Debating Challenge, in which the team successfully reached the regional semi-finals.
		Debating tournaments are another unforgettable feature of each season, particularly the Macquarie Cup Competition. The topics faced in 2007 were That university fees should be abolished, That immigrants wishing to become citizens should be required to take a language and values test and finally, That we should ban the production of non-hybrid vehicles. These debates helped students gain experience and perspective on significant issues in today's society and the competition overall was definitely a highlight for the year. A special event in 2007 was our very own Veronica Shim being selected with Year 10's Rohan Campbell to represent James Ruse at the Western Sydney JSDC Selection Trials at Glenwood High School . They were arranged into teams of three with each team participating in three debates throughout the day and as the debates progressed, everyone was required by all to adopt different speaker roles.

The topics were challenging ranging from Globalisation is the answer to Desalination is the answer to Sydney' s water crisis and finally verging into the more ambiguous, That the glass ceiling is a myth. The wide-ranging talent meant there was a high level of competition between the teams and individual speakers but the abundant cooperation, support and friendliness among the schools enabled the students to forge many new friendships. Overall, it was a thoroughly rewarding experience and great opportunity for Rohan and Veronica. Congratulations go to Rohan, for being selected into the Metropolitan West team.

Overall, this season has been undoubtedly productive and valuable for all debaters. Students have learnt many significant lessons and developed a great sense of camaraderie within each team.