Friday afternoon saw our first debating competition for 2021 - the traditional Great Debate. The Great Debate is now in its 7th year and sees students from Year 5 & 6 compete in two debates against Pimpama State Secondary College's Year 7 students. This is the first time Year 5's have joined the competition and you wouldn't have known they were brand new to the debating genre. The aim of the debate is to prove that it doesn't matter how old you are, if your arguments are strong and well supported with credible evidence, if you deliver your arguments with a passionate confidence, you can persuade any audience. Your voice matters!
Debating exemplifies our 'Good at Learning, Good at Life' mission as it provides students with an opportunity to critically analyse contemporary issues through multiple lenses. While most children are great at arguing their point of view and what they believe to be fair in their world, debating expands on this by making them explore both sides of an argument and defend a side they may not initially agree with.
The topics and our teams this year were:
1. That the Covid-19 Vaccination should be compulsory (CRSS - Affirmative)
CRSS Team: Annabelle F, Wyatt, Angel-Rose and Fellyn
Chairperson: Maiya B
Timekeeper: Camille
2. That mobile phones should be allowed in schools (CRSS - Negative)
CRSS Team: Annabelle N, Georgina B, Antonina & Ariana T
Our students all delivered strong arguments and spoke with such confidence and conviction that saw them win both these debates. So it looks like we all need to do our bit and have the shot and those small, sneaky mobile phones need to remain out of our classrooms. Watch out Mums and Dads, these students know how to put forward a convincing argument! Congratulations to our students and all the teachers and parents who supported these young politicians.