Suzanne Plume – Debating Co-ordinator

Jemma Lopis – Middles Debating Co-ordinator

DEBATING AT EMANUEL

Why do we Debate?

It is not only that we learn to form coherent, logical and convincing arguments.

It is not only that we learn to persuade and inform an audience open to suggestion.

It is not only to listen to ourselves repeating that which we already know.

Debating is also about listening.

It is about empathy.

It is about removing ourselves from our own perspective, and appreciating that there is another perspective that is as valid and as real as our own.

An excellent debating team uses their co-ordinated efforts to listen to their opposition’s ideas, acknowledge the value of those ideas, yet challenge them so profoundly as to leave the audience in no doubt as to the pervading, persuasive perspective that must be upheld.

We debate in order to grapple with ethical and moral issues that affect the world in which we live.

We debate in order to appreciate other perspectives and integrate their value into our own well-formed ideas.

We debate so that as we receive the world that is our inheritance, we have the strength and the skills to stand up for what is ethically and morally right; to bring justice to our homes, our work, our lives; to uphold the dignity and integrity of ourselves and others.

We debate for Tikkun Olam – making the world a better place. Each person has an individual voice. But together, our ideas become more than the sum of their parts.

If you are interested in trying out for a HICES debating squad in 2018, Ms Plume and Mrs Lopis will be running tryouts in Weeks 8 and 9. Please check your emails for tryout times.

We hope to see you there!

 Inter-Jewish Day School Debating Day

On Tuesday 31 October, we participated in the Inter-Jewish Day School Debating Day here at Emanuel School.

Topics included:

That experimenting on animals should be forbidden except for medical research.

That adults should be required to take compulsory physical education courses in their workplaces.

That it should be illegal for companies to market products to children.

That Australia should not trade with companies with poor labour standards.

That foreign aid agencies should ignore state sovereignty in order to reach areas in which they are forbidden but needed.

To our great delight, Emanuel School won two of the five trophies on the day.

 The B’nei B’rith Girls Years 7 & 8 Debating Champions for 2017:

Victoria Miller, Year 7

Ariella Tracton, Year 7

Chloe Miller, Year 8

Lara Fosbery, Year 8

Ruby Hurwitz, Year 8

Liat Granot, Year 8

The Carole Fisher Years 9 and 10 Girls Debating Champions for 2017:

Isabella Flax, Year 10

Natasha Gering, Year 10

Rebekah Goldsworthy, Year 9

Miriam Itkowitz, Year 9

Isabella Reichel, Year 9