That students should be required to stay at school until the end of year twelve
Currently, most students in Australia are required to attend school until the end of year 10, or until
they are 17 years old. Completing year 11 and 12 provides students with a variety of options in
terms of further study and employment, but the senior curriculum may not be the best option for all
students. Allowing students to leave high school before finishing may allow them to begin working at
an earlier stage or gain skills through programs such as apprenticeships. This topic should explore
whether a “one size fits all” approach provides the best future for Australian students.
Questions
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What are the benefits of completing year 11 and 12?
Do these benefits exist if students do not perform well?
What is the difference between what is taught in senior years (ie VCE) and the earlier years
of high school?
Are year 11 and 12 more stressful than earlier years?
What else might students do if they do not complete high school?
Does finishing high school make you more likely to get a job? Earn more money?
What sort of jobs would students who are not at school perform?
What are the benefits of apprenticeships?
Are there any risks to students who leave high school before completing year 12?
Links
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/beyond/pages/leaving.aspx
Information from the Victorian Education Department about options for students considering
leaving school
http://education.qld.gov.au/students/service/career/pdfs/stayleave.pdf
Information from the Queensland education department about options for students considering
leaving school
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1755955.htm
Transcript of a radio interview in support of making finishing year 12 compulsory
http://classroom.synonym.com/should-students-finish-high-school-1655.html
Benefits of finishing school
That we should ban the use of animals in sport
Sports like greyhound and horseracing are very popular forms of entertainment, but critics have
called for a ban of using animals for human entertainment, and raised concerns about the treatment
of the animals involved. Sporting industry representatives suggest that there is no cause for concern
as the animals are well cared for, and even enjoy the competitions. This debate should discuss
whether it is ever appropriate for humans to use animals for sport, even in a controlled, humane
way.
Questions
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Do humans have the right to use animals however they wish?
How are sports involving animals similar or different to the other ways humans use the
talents of animals?
How are animals in sports treated?
Do animals enjoy the activities they are doing whilst being in involved sports?
Are the activities animals perform in sports unnatural?
What would be the alternatives to the use of animals in sport?
How would the animals currently involved in sport be affected by the change?
Links
http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-animals-be-used-as-objects-of-sport-and-entertainment
Pros and cons of animals being used in sport and entertainment
http://debatewise.org/debates/2494-animals-in-sports-and-entertainment/
Pros and cons of animals being used in sport and entertainment
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/issues/horse_racing.php
Information about how horse racing effects the horses participating
That Australia should increase its reliance on solar power
Over 90% of Australia’s energy consumption is supplied by fossil fuels. These sources are
very effective at creating energy at a relatively low cost to consumers, but they are nonrenewable, meaning one day they will run out. Environmental groups have also raised
concerns over the effects that fossil fuels cause to the environment. Solar power has been
suggested as a viable alternative to traditional fuel sources. Many Australians have installed
roof top solar panels to support their energy needs in a sustainable way. However, critics
suggest that this form of energy generation is inefficient and unreliable, as well as
expensive. This debate should discuss whether solar energy is a viable alternative to fossil
fuels.
Questions
 What effects do traditional energy sources such as coal and fossil fuels have on the
environment?
 How does solar power work?
 Is solar better for the environment? Why or why not?
 What are the costs involved in both kinds of energy?
 Can solar power generate enough energy for regular household consumption?
 Who will generate and control solar power?
Links
http://www.energymatters.com.au/faqs/renewable-energy-faq.php
Background information on renewable energy
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/07/solar-has-won-even-if-coalwere-free-to-burn-power-stations-couldnt-compete
Article explaining that solar energy prices are no longer more expensive than coal
http://renewableenergydev.com/solar-energy/
Background information on solar energy as well as some pros and cons
http://www.energybiz.com/article/14/01/why-roof-top-solar-panels-really-dont-makesense
Article noting some flaws in the roof panel system