Glenbrook Public School finished third in the Premier's Debating Challenge last week.
The team of Freya Stewart, Max Allen, Ellie Penserini, and Albie Jones claimed the podium finish in the Years 5 and 6 competition, held at Lewisham.
The Glenbrook students made their way to the state final after being crowned Western Sydney Region champions in early November. The team was undefeated in their zone, before defeating teams from Kurrajong and Kingswood in knock-out finals.
Nearly 900 teams enter the challenge each year.
The Glenrook team was narrowly defeated in a tightly fought contest against Hastings Public School in the finals at Lewisham, placing them third.
Bowral Public School won the overall competition.
"Debating is fun because we get to come up with new ideas and perspectives that we may not have thought of," said Albie Jones.
Freya Stewart said the team felt very proud to make it to the state finals. "We love to debate," she said.
Ellie Penserini said she loves how debating gives her skills to "argue back to people without getting into trouble," while for Max Allen debating means that "you get to think deeply about issues and argue points of view that you may not agree with".
Debating team coaches Cathy Sadler and Kerene Garvan said it was an "amazing achievement" make it to this level of the competition.
"They are wonderful kids who debate with passion. Their ability to take on adjudicator feedback and apply it to every new debate has helped make them into champions."
