Yianni Datsopoulos: Words for Good

For the first time in the College’s history, a single debating team achieved success in three major competitions in one season. The senior debating team, consisting of Yianni, debating alongside two of his fellow Year 12 students, Mehar and Gabrielle, claimed victory at the 20^th Annual JACSA Debating Carnival. The team’s winning streak began with the Australian Jesuit Schools Debating Competition, where they claimed the Fr William Lockington SJ Cup. They then secured the Intercol Gallivan-Campion Senior A Debating Shield and capped off their season by triumphing in the South Australian Debating Association’s Senior A competition, taking home the Lloyd-Wright Trophy.

Yianni also participated in the 30^th National Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra, joining 120 students from across Australia selected through a competitive process. The event, held at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, focused on the topic: Revisiting Sections 51ii and 90 to Reimagine Australia’s Fiscal Federalism.

What is the National Schools Constitutional Convention, and what inspired you to take part?

The NSCC is an event hosted by the Federal Department of Education for students who are interested in politics, law, and society. I was first asked by my Year 11 Legal Studies teacher to attend the state convention in Term 3 of last year. Subsequently, I was invited to apply to attend the national convention by submitting a short video answering questions about active citizenship.

Could you tell us a bit about the activities you took part in while there?

The convention was certainly an unforgettable experience, with a lot of activities squeezed into three very busy days. The cohort of 120 students invited from across Australia were lucky enough to watch budget night live, eat dinner at the Press Club, tour Parliament and Old Parliament House, and see the original Constitution at the Museum of Australian Democracy. We engaged in discussions on federal tax reform, formal debates, and a mock referendum conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission. Our time in Canberra culminated in a meeting with the Governor General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC. The only conceivable downside of the whole experience was being in full winter uniform in a week of uncharacteristically hot Canberra weather.

What is your career dream? Did your experience at the convention inspire you to pursue a career in politics?

This is a very big question for me. Next year, while I have applied for degrees within law and psychology, I am not yet ready to commit to one field or the other. I would love to be in an environment where I am working with people to help them with their issues, which I think is a very Ignatian desire. One thing I know for sure is that I will never become a politician. I would rather make change at the grass roots level.

When did you first get involved in debating, and what drew you to it?

I first became involved in debating in Year 5. My Year 3 teacher was the coach at the time, and she recommended I pick it up when it became available – I think she saw potential in me because I had always been very talkative in class. Since then, it was always something that I loved, especially the community we have built around it in the Senior School.

Can you tell us a bit about the preparation and debating competitions you participated in throughout the year?

Debates happen with the winter co-curricular season once every three weeks. At a senior level all debates are secret topics, meaning we only get a broad topic area (international relations, economics, social norms, etc.) to prepare our knowledge before receiving the specific topic on the night of the debate. My team met with our coach, Evelyn Vincin Walker (Old Scholar from the Class of 2021), once a week to discuss the general topics, and techniques to use while speaking.

Additionally, as a Jesuit school, we are invited to compete in the JACSA debating carnival, which occurs during the winter holidays and sees schools compete from SA, NSW, and Victoria. Although I stated I do not want to pursue a career in politics, Australian politics is definitely my favourite topic area to debate on.

Why would you encourage other students to get involved in debating?

Getting involved in debating is a great way to develop speaking and thinking skills that are highly beneficial to your schoolwork. I personally feel the quality of my oral presentations and essays improve when debating season comes around, purely because a good quality debate and a good quality assignment share many similarities in terms of form and the development of an argument.

How have you balanced the demands of Year 12 with experiences like the convention and debating?

Communicating your needs with your friends and teachers is one of the most beneficial things students can do to manage themselves, especially with the demanding year that is Year 12. You know if you feel overworked, overwhelmed, burnt out, or ready to give up, but unless those around you understand how you are feeling, they will not how to adequately reciprocate and support you. Never feel ashamed to ask for help.

How do you think your Ignatian education, along with experiences such as these, has helped you, and how do you see it being valuable in the future?

The framework provided to me by an Ignatian education will no doubt be a powerful tool in my future as someone who is passionate about social justice. We live in a world which is increasingly unjust, with countless people’s needs being ignored by those who should seek to protect them. The onus is thus upon us as young men and women of privilege to respond accordingly.