My name is Leo Jreige and I am the Debating Captain for 2019. Over term 2 and 3, selected boys from Year 6 were chosen to debate against other schools in the IPSHA competition.
For those who don’t know, a debate is a process that involves formal discussion on a particular topic. In a debate, opposing arguments are prepared by each side, and then speeches are made where everyone states why their debating points are correct.
On each team, there is a 1st speaker, a 2nd speaker, a 3rd speaker, and a 4th speaker. The 4th speaker, does not speak, but is responsible for writing rebuttals for the other speakers throughout the debate. Each speaker has a maximum of 3 minutes and 30 seconds to deliver their case and state their rebuttal. Each school is represented by two teams, an affirmative and a negative, who debate against their opposition.
Last week on Friday, we had our last debate against Kincoppal. In all, Coogee Prep had 6 debates, competing against schools such as Kambala (twice), Waverly, Moriah and Kincoppal. We even debated against ourselves one week.
In every round we were very even against our opposing school and we tied most of the rounds. Each debate was more exciting than the last as the experience got better and better.
As well as improving your public speaking, debating allows you to meet so many new people, people that you might even make friends with!
Throughout the year, many Year 6 boys have grown to overcome their fears such as public speaking, being embarrassed in front of a crowd, trying to come up with a wide range of opinions on certain topics as well as writing persuasive arguments in a short space of time. Even though many of us could improve on our eye-contact or speaking in a louder or clearer voice, everyone did an outstanding job!
So, I’d like to thank the debating team for participating this season!
In addition, I would like to thank Mr Davis for guiding us in our speeches and for helping us to learn and achieve higher than we ever thought we would! Also, thank you Mr Dicks for adjudicating our last debate!
Debating is an excellent skill to have. It improves your confidence and makes you think outside the box. I hope lots of boys take up this activity in the future! Thank you.
Leo Jreige
Debating Captain, 2019