Free-Thinkers’ Forum 

Last week a group of students from Years 9-10 attended the Free Thinker’s Forum. This day allowed students to hear about, consider and discuss issues that are important to them with students from a variety of other schools across Sydney. One student was selected as the speaker for each of the participating schools, others participated in the adjudication panel providing feedback to each speaker and the remaining students engaged in post speech discussion activities. This year, there were a number of speeches which considered different perspectives of free speech plus presentations on the following topics:

• Nowism: The Newest Form of Discrimination?
• Sale of the 21st Century: The commodification of humanity
• The Hidden Crisis: Refugee Detention Centres
• Inferiority, Compensation and Competitiveness: How a mindset of comparison affects us

In order to be considered for this opportunity, Domremy students were invited to submit a draft speech on one of the given conceptual topics or an issue of their choosing. This year we were overwhelmed with over twenty entries from the voices of our next generation. We shortlisted ten students to take part in the inter-school event including five who presented their speech to peers and staff at lunchtime. These topics included the following themes:

• Bodily Autonomy and Women’s Rights – Cassia (Year 10)
• Activism Is Like the Immune System – Charlotte (Year 9)
• Is it Better to Ask for Permission or Forgiveness? – Natalie (Year 9)
• In 2050 I Hope to See … (about misandry and feminism) – Sofia (Year 10)

Our selected speaker for the Forum was Leianna (Year 10) who wrote and presented a passionate and thought provoking piece about racism which questioned whether Australia has a national identity or a national illusion. We commend her for sharing her insight and calling us to re-think our perspectives. Cassia and Charlotte were selected to be our Adjudicators and provided feedback with confidence and respect. Congratulations to each of these students who spoke with confidence and clarity. 

Thank you to Ms Donna Atkins and Ms Felicity Freckmann who played an important role in the shortlisting and speaker selection process and assisted with the development of Leianna’s final presentation. Their expertise and generous donation of time was very much appreciated. Thanks also to Ms Cheryl McArthur for organising and hosting the event at Rosebank College.

We applaud all Domremy students for their enthusiastic engagement throughout the day and for participating particularly well in a cross-the-floor style ethical debate after lunch. It was wonderful to hear from these very important young voices as they collaborated and challenged each other to make our world a better place. The future will certainly be bright in their hands!

Ms Sarah Thompson, Leader of innovative and Global Connections