Another debating win

Was pleased to see in Stuff last week:

The deputy prime minister’s daughter was in the Wellington team that won the New Zealand schools’ debating championship final in Parliament today, arguing for a motion that goes against politicians’ instincts.

The Wellington Black team of Carlos Bowkett (Wellington College), Maria English (Samuel Marsden Collegiate School), and Jodie O’Neil (Chilton St James School) won the national final in a unanimous decision over Wellington Gold, affirming the topic “That citizens initiated referenda should be binding on government”.

I commented to Bill a few months back that one day it won’t be Maria getting described as Bill English’s daughter, but Bill getting described as Maria’s father.

Maria English, who was in the New Zealand schools’ debating team that won the 2009 world championships in Athens this year, was named as captain of the New Zealand team to contest the 2010 world schools championships in Qatar.

Also in the team are Nick Cross (Scots College), Jasmin Moran (Chilton St James School), Josh Baxter (Auckland Grammar) and Aria Newfield (St Cuthbert’s College).

Congrats to them all, and good luck.