Debating

The first debate for 2021 took place on Friday 23rd April against Chatswood High via what is now the mainstream, technological tool of our time; Zoom. Fort Street was the Negative team and the topic for the day was “That school sport should be replaced by rigorous activity and fitness classes.”

It was a spirited performance by the Senior Debating Team which had the irrepressible Satvik Sharma as our first speaker, setting up his team’s argument with conviction and passion. Our second speaker was the inimitable Charlotte Dillon, an unstoppable tour de force  who looked like she could run the country at the same time. Alejo Pintos- Lopez, our third speaker, was resolute of purpose when rebutting and strengthening his team’s argument in a scene reminiscent of great courtroom drama. Luca Butterworth, our fourth`silent’ member, passed insightful, valuable information to his teammates and was instrumental in taking Fort Street to VICTORY!

The heavyweights were back in the ring for Round 2, debating Concord High on the 12th of May.

The Senior team, comprising the undefeated Luca Butterworth, Alejo Pintos-Lopez, Satvik Sharma and Charlotte Dillon, was again in top form and arguing for the Negative, “That journalists should never be compelled to reveal their sources”.

The teams squared off and the first speaker of the Affirmative was quite a powerful opponent. The debate was fast and furious but Concord was often on the ropes. They rolled with the punches but not for a minute did they think of throwing in the towel.

When Fort Street delivered their knockout blow, however, even the adjudicator was in their corner!

Luca wrote and delivered, what can only be a soothing balm, our final statement in poetic form:
​
This was a debate
We were called on to state
Whether to reveal or not
Where a journalist got
his information.
Is this about Privacy
or
Accountability?
We wish you all the best
In all the rest
… of your debates

Another win for Fort Street as we head into Round 3.

We would like to thank the adjudicator Lloyd Cameron from the Arts Unit, the debating coach James Elhindi and his team for Monday afternoon training sessions and Craig McGeachie in IT for setting up the zoom meeting.