BEGA High School (BHS) has been declared the best mock trial team in NSW.
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The BHS team emerged victorious in the Law Society of NSW Mock Trial Competition grand final on Friday.
The 2012 competition started with 192 schools and culminated in the decider in Sydney.
BHS held off a brave challenge from The Hills Grammar School to be declared champion.
Guided by coach Steve Clark and manager Denise Perry, the BHS team consisted of Siobhan Ison, Sarah Campbell, Ella Davies, Miriam Zweck, Jacob Moore, Kiah Carter and Megan van Bracht.
Ella, who played the role of second barrister, capped off celebrations by winning the best advocate of the day award.
Ms Perry said she was proud of the Bega students.
“It was a huge team effort – it’s really rewarding for all of the hard work they’ve put in,” she said.
“It’s very, very special.”
The grand final saw BHS play the prosecution in a criminal case following a car crash, where the offender had been charged with dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.
In the lead up, Ella told the BDN that it shaped as a “fairly even case” (30/11).
Ms Perry said it was difficult to predict the winner because it was very close.
“It was extremely close, but the judges were unanimous in their decision,” she said,
“The judges said it was the highest standard they’ve seen in any mock trial competition, including law students.”
The victory caps off a couple of years of success for BHS in the competition.
In 2010, Bega was narrowly defeated by a strong Knox Grammar squad (BDN, 7/12/10).
Ms Perry said it had been a period of consolidation for the team, thanking previous manager Lee Gill for laying the groundwork.
A number of past team members travelled to Sydney for the decider, including Clare Barcham, Connor Gourlay, Adam Silverwood, Emma Clark, Christian Bond and Jacob Pittolo.
Other supporters included current BHS students Mikala Hutteroth, Chelsea Roach and Inge Bache.
Mr Clark flew up for the grand final to lend his support.
The Bega solicitor has coached the Bega mock trial team for more than 20 years.
“I’m really pleased for Steve, he has given up his time freely – his hard work has paid off,” Ms Perry said.
