Debaters rule the airwaves

Hastings Catholic school St Mary's has claimed debating bragging rights among intermediate school age children with victory yesterday in the on-air final of an annual competition run by community broadcasters Radio Kidnappers.

The competition, Talk the Talk Intermediate School Debates, started in August with 12 teams from six Hastings and Napier schools.

St Mary's 2 took up the affirmative in yesterday's showdown with Taradale Intermediate 1 on the issue "single-sex schools provide better education."

The station has been running the debates annually for the last 10 years, and the winners receive a trophy which will be presented at their school assembly.

The adjudicator was senior Tamatea High School student Luke Harris.