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Pentecostal Lam Hon Kwong School |
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English Debating - Highlight of PLHKS’s Gifted Programs
School-based English Speaking Curriculum
English debating is an important gifted education program of Pentecostal Lam Hon Kwong School. All students who study in Pentecostal Lam Hon Kwong School have the chance to learn and try English debating since English debating is part of the school-based English speaking curriculum of the school. Having developed the English public speaking skills and critical thinking skills in regular English speaking lessons in junior and senior forms, all students have the chance to try out these skills in mini-debates in class when they are in S5 and two teams are chosen to participate in an inter-class English Debate in front of their fellow schoolmates in a hall assembly every year.
English Debating Team
Our highly-praised best debater in almost all debates in 2015-16, Gordon Mok
Pentecostal Lam Hon Kwong School’s English Debating Team was formed in September, 2006 and has achieved remarkable results in a number of territory-wide inter-school debating competitions. Our team members have been participating in Sing Tao Inter-school Debating Competition, Lion’s Quest Inter-school Debating Competition, NESTA and SCMP Inter-school Debating Competition and Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition.
Over the past few years, we have beaten a number of prestigious schools, like La Salle College, St Joseph College, St Paul’s Secondary School, and have been the champions of a few territory-wide debates, including the 13th NESTA and SCMP Interschool Debating Competition Division 1A, and Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition Kowloon and New Territories East Division 1 Grand Final 2015-16. We have also entered the quarter-final of the 29th Sing Tao Interschool Debating Contest and got the ‘Most Improved School Award’. What is more, our debaters have won a host of ‘Best Debater’ awards and ‘Best Interrogative Debater’ awards. Winning the best interrogative debater title is not easy at all as the debater has to attack the weaknesses of the opponents’ points on the spot and answer questions raised by the other side sensibly.
To prepare for inter-school debating competitions, the debaters receive professional training given by the experienced coaching teachers at school. Debating workshops conducted by our alumni debaters are run from time to time during the school term to develop the participants’ debating skills. We also hold i-debates at school and friendly matches with other schools to provide students with opportunities to practise their debating skills.
Through debating, students can enhance their fluency in speaking English and written English. At the same time, their research and critical thinking skills are also sharpened. No wonder most of our debaters could get 5* and 5** in the HKDSE English Examination.
Sharing by our star debaters - 6A Chantel Tse and Alf Suen
Great team work of our three star debaters, Gordon Mok, Alf Suen and Chantel Tse
Debate - Cultivate and Motivate
Standing on the podium and shooting off rebuttals is a common scene in debating. Yet, there is more behind the scenes.
The preparation of debates consists of researching, formulating arguments and rebuttals as well as writing speeches. These elements offer debaters numerous benefits, namely fostering critical thinking, effective communication, team spirit, and so on. The aforementioned advantages are lifelong skills for an individual in society. By participating in debating, we are given plenty of opportunities to cultivate the above skills. Take effective communication as an example. As we have to respond to our opponents instantly most of the time, the training of impromptu responses enables us to give a convincing answer whenever someone raises a question. In no uncertain terms, this technique, together with the critical thinking skills, are exceptionally useful for our future studies as well as our careers. Certainly we have the edge over others in project presentations and interviews.
More importantly, debating takes us not only to the podium, but also to a wider world. It is the most practical social networking platform. We can meet different people in different debating competitions and exchange ideas with fellow contenders regardless of the topics. What we share ranges from ideas of the motions and debating skills to personal stories. All these could be our inspiration and momentum to face and weather challenges.
In respect of academic benefits, ostensibly, English debaters are proficient in English. As a result of using English in various ways including reading during the research stage, writing speeches, listening to our opponents for rebuttals and delivering speeches, our English proficiency is undoubtedly boosted. What is more, our performance in Liberal Studies is also better owing to the need to dwell on different social issues during the preparation of debates. Not only do we examine the bright and dark sides of the issue, we also put ourselves into the shoes of different stakeholders to generate ideas. For example, we have debated on nuclear power. First, we had to understand the pros and cons of nuclear power. Then, we needed to know the concerns of different stakeholders, such as the government, residents, enterprises, neigbouring countries, etc. As you can see, it is a must for us to look into the matter from different perspectives. This is why we can generate so many ideas for one issue in Liberal Studies.
Apart from all the benefits mentioned above, debating also brings the school and debaters glory and honors – the championship. We could not have achieved such great honors without the efforts of our coaches, Ms Winnie Low and Ms Yaniza Cheung. They generated ideas with us, commented on our speeches, trained our delivery and rebuttals, and even accompanied us to the debates to give us encouragement. The time and effort they devoted to debating are very much appreciated. They have successfully cultivated our interest in exploring the world and motivated us to strive for greater accomplishments.
To sum up, debating not only sharpens our thinking skills and communication skills, but also boosts our academic performance. More importantly, it brings us honors and precious memories. No wonder it is a gifted program of our school!
Achievements in 2022-2023
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
| Competition | Opponent | Prizes won |
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Term 1 Round 1 |
Kowloon True Light School |
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Term 1 Round 2 |
Tak Nga Secondary School |
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Term 1 Final |
HKMA David Lee Kwok Po College |
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Term 2 Round 1 |
St Catharine’s School for Girls |
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Term 2 Round 2 |
Yuen Long Public Secondary School |
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Grand Final |
St. Stephen’s Girls’ College |
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37th Sing Tao Inter-school Debating Competition
| Competition | Opponent | Prizes won |
| 1st Preliminary | St Stephen’s College |
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| 2nd Preliminary | Cheung Chuk Shan College |
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| 3rd Preliminary | Wai Yan College (Kowloon) |
Achievements in 2020-2021
Achievements of the English Debating Team
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Term 1 Round 1 Division 1 |
Carmel Secondary School |
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Term 1 Round 2 |
St Louis College |
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Term 2 Round 1 |
Kowloon True Light Secondary School |
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Term 2 Round 2 |
Christian Alliance S C Chan Memorial College |
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Term 2 Final |
Cheung Chuk Shan College |
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Achievements in 2019-20
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Term 1 Round 1 |
Shung Tak Catholic English College |
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Term 1 Round 2 |
Good Hope School |
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35th Sing Tao Inter-school Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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1st preliminary |
Queen Elizabeth School |
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2nd preliminary |
St Paul’s College |
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3rd preliminary |
Po Leung Kuk Tang Yuk Tien Collge |
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Achievements in 2018-19
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
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Competition |
Participants |
Prize won |
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Term 1 Round 1 |
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Term 1 Round 2 |
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Term 1 Final |
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Term 2 Round 1 |
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Term 2 Round 2 |
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Term 2 Final |
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34th Sing Tao Inter-school Debating Competition
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Competition |
Participants |
Prize won |
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2nd preliminary |
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3rd preliminary |
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Achievements in 2017-18
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Term 1 Round 1 |
St Francis Xavier College |
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Term 1 Round 1 |
Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College |
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Term 1 Round 2 Division 1 Team 1 |
Carmel Pak U Secondary School |
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Term 1 Round 2 Division 1 Team 2 |
Kau Yan College |
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Term 1 Final |
St Francis’ Canossian College |
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Term 2 Round 1 Division 1 Team 2 |
Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School |
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Term 2 Round 2 Division 1 Team 1 |
HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College |
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Term 2 Round 2 Division 1 Team 2 |
Tak Nga Secondary School |
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Achievements in 2016-17
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Term 1 Round 2 Division 1 |
HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity |
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Term 2 Round 1 Division 1 |
SKH Bishop Mok Sau Tseng Secondary School |
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Term 2 Round 2 Division 1 |
Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College |
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Evangel College |
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32nd Sing Tao Inter-school Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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1st preliminary |
Queen Elizabeth School |
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2nd preliminary |
Our Lady of the Rosary College |
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Achievements in 2015-16
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
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Glory of our school - 6 straight wins and Champion in HKSSDC
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Term 1 Round 1 Division 1 |
Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School |
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Term 1 Round 1 Division 1 |
Immaculate Heart of Mary College |
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Term 1 Round 2 Division 1 |
Stewards Pooi Kei College |
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Term 1 Round 2 Division 1 |
Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School |
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Term 1 Final Division 1 |
La Salle College |
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Term 1 Final Division 1 |
St Catharine’s School for Girls |
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Term 2 Round 1 Division 1 |
La Salle College |
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Term 2 Round 1 Division 1 |
Carmel Pak U Secondary School |
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Term 2 Round 2 Division 1 |
Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of MFBM |
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Term 2 Round 2 Division 1 |
Shatin Pui Ying College |
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Grand Final Division 1 (Enhanced Format) |
Marynoll Convent School |
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Grand Final Division 1 (Standard Format) |
The YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College |
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No fear when facing La Salle College and finally getting the Champion Trophy
31st Sing Tao Inter-school Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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1st preliminary |
Kowloon True Light School |
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Our brilliant debaters who contributed to the success in winning so many trophies
Achievements in 2014-15
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
It was our debaters' great effort which brought them success in getting the champion trophy
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Term 1 Round 1 |
Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School |
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Term 1 Round 2 |
Heep Yunn School |
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Term 1 Round 2 |
Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School |
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Term 1 Final |
SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School |
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Term 2 Round 1 |
St Rose of Lima’s College |
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Term 2 Round 2 |
Steward Pooi Kei College |
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Term 2 Round 2 |
Chamber of Commerce Hoi Ping Secondary School |
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Term 2 Final |
SKH Chan Young Secondary School |
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30th Sing Tao Inter-school Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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1st preliminary |
Sacred Heart Canossian College |
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2nd preliminary |
Tuen Mun Catholic Secondary School |
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Achievements in 2013-14
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
We are the champion in Hong Kong in 2013-14
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Best Debater in the HKSSDC 2013-14
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Term 1 Round 1 |
Kau Yan College |
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Term 1 Round 1 |
HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity |
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Term 1 Round 2 |
Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) |
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Term 1 Round 2 |
Valtorta College |
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Term 1 Final |
Ho Fung Secondary School |
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Term 2 Round 1 |
Homantin Secondary School |
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Term 2 Round 1 |
Tak Oi Secondary School |
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HKSSDC 2013-14 Term 1 NT Senior Champion Trophy Winners
NESTA-SCMP Inter-school Debating Competition
Great honour to us being NESTA-SCMP Debating Grand Final Champion 1A Division 2013-14
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prize won |
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Round 1 |
HKTA Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School |
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Round 2 |
SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School |
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Round 4 |
Elsa High School |
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Semi Final |
POCA Wong Siu Ching Secondary School |
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Grand Final |
SKH Chan Young Secondary School |
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29th Sing Tao Inter-school Debating Competition
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Best Debater 4D Kenny Chan and Best Interrogative Debater 6D Peter Yau
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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1st preliminary |
T.W.G.Hs Kap Yan Directors’ College |
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2nd preliminary |
St Joseph’s College |
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3rd preliminary |
St Paul’s Secondary School |
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Quarter Final |
South Island School |
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CityU Discovery and Innovative Debating Challenge
Trophy Winners with 5B Sally Chiu being the best debater
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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CityU Discovery and Innovative Debating Challenge |
Sing Yin Secondary School |
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Achievements in 2012-13
Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition
The 1st Champion Trophy our junior team got in HKSSDC in 2012-13
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Term 2 Round 1 |
St Catherine's School for Girls |
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Term 2 Round 1 |
Kowloon Tong School Secondary Section |
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Term 2 Round 2 |
Valtorta College |
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Term 2 Round 2 |
SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School |
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Term 2 Final |
SHK Chan Young Secondary School |
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Term 2 Final |
CCC Mong Man Wai College |
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NESTA-SCMP Inter-school Debating Competition
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Competition |
Opponent |
Prizes won |
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Round 1 |
Immaculate Heart of Mary College |
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Round 2 |
SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School |
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Round 3 |
Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School |
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Round 4 |
Creative Secondary School |
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- Winning Team
Best Debater: 5B Wat Man Ki, Karen