gopsarhu, gops, arhu
 
Our 2012 interschool debating season has come to a close with four outstanding debates on Tuesday evening. The challenging topic, "That Father Christmas has a harder job than Easter Bunny", provided students the opportunity to use imagination and their developing expertise to argue against a guy they really do like and admire?

During the Term 2 and Term 3 season GOPS has been represented by 18 students from Years 5 to 7. These debaters made up four teams, two in the Year 5 division and two in the Year 6/7 division. Five debating evenings have been spread about three to four weeks apart. This has allowed the debaters to discuss and work up their topics and practise their arguments and delivery. Tuesday nights have seen the teams gather at Pulteney Grammar school in the city to challenge opponents from Mercedes College, Westminster School, St. Aloysius College, Rostrevor College, Stirling East Primary, Belair Primary, Uraidla Primary and Colonel Light Gardens Primary. 

All teams experienced success in their debates with, overall, our teams winning many tight contests. The adjudicator in each debate presented a "Speaker of the Debate" award and the following students achieved an award at some time during the season:

Congratulations to our parents and families who supported the season by getting their debaters to the venue on time and looking smart (even on Crazy Hair round!). A big thank you, as well, to the staff who supported the students on the nights. 

Finally, to the students involved, we say well done and congratulations for your commitment to achieving the best you possibly could achieve. 
Year 5 Blue Team: Tom L., Pippa, Madi, Mark T., Hannah
Year 5 White Team: Angus, Jordan, James T., Mark D.,
Year 6/7 Blue Team: Nethli, Nashrah, Bonnie, James B.
Year 6/7 White Team: Anna, Sally, Tom W. Madds, William

Help!

7/31/2012

1 Comment

 
We need lots of arguments with our final topic. We are arguing that Father Christmas DOES NOT have a harder job than Easter Bunny.
Please comment with ideas which we could consider in our debate.

Who has the harder job? Why? What makes the job so hard?


 
Our final topic for BOTH TEAMS is....
"That Father Christmas has a harder job than Easter Bunny"

Amazingly, all teams are NEGATIVE for this debate. We all get the last word!

White PB 6:40 Room 4    Timekeeper: James T.
Speaker 1: Angus P.
Speaker 2:  Jordan L.
Speaker 3: Mark D.

Blue PB  6:40 Room 7   Timekeeper:
Speaker 1: Madi
Speaker 2: Tom
Speaker 3: Pippa

White PA 6:40 Room 3  Timekeeper: Tom
Speaker 1: Madds
Speaker 2: Sally
Speaker 3: Anna

Blue PA 6:40 Room 9  Timekeeper:
Speaker 1: Bonnie
Speaker 2: James
Speaker 3: Nethli

 
Let's have our cards finished, everyone, so we can have a run through after recess on Tuesday. 
 
Start writing your cards where you know what will be said...
This means the introductions, definition, beginning of responses and so on.

You know that theses do not change and so you can be pre-prepared.

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen and Mr. Chairman. The topic for tonight's debate is..... . We, the affirmative team believe that this is true. We wish to define the topic as meaning..... "

All of these sections are in your booklet and should her used every time. Be prepared early 
 
Is the skill of handwriting on the outer? What do you think?
 
Have a look at these sites and see how your arguments can develop:
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/bygranite/uniforms/args.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4210000/newsid_4213100/4213108.stm
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/pros-and-cons-of-school-uniforms-182.html
http://school.ezinemark.com/the-positives-and-negatives-of-wearing-school-uniforms-16b8bb87815.html
 
Rebuttal - Let's Practice!
The hardest thing to do in our debaters is to rebut the opposition's points - but we can practice to grow in confidence and get better at it... let's try these:

(Remember, our response has to be very quick indeed and brief. Address the point and then shoot it down. I have placed girl or boy as the speaker because you might like to use SHE or HE in the response - it is really effective to make the response personal - don't just use 'they' or 'the opposition' )


Point:
Every student should learn a musical instrument because it is fun and enjoyable. 
(1st Affirm boy)
Response:
The 1st affirmative speaker told us that learning a musical instrument is fun and enjoyable. We disagree because the stress caused from learning new skills and pieces is not fun at all and certainly not enjoyable.
(The first sentence is addressing the point and the second sentence is shooting it down)



Point: 
Our PE program has so many different sports in it that we just don't have time to include dance. 
(1st Negative girl)
Response: The 1st Negative speaker told us that there was not enough time to include dance in the PE program. We believe this is wrong because if you believe the activity is important enough, as we believe dance is, then you can make time in the program.(The first sentence identified the point made and the second sentence made an answering statement - argument shot down again!)

Have a look at these points and see if you can make a response to them:
1. Learning a musical instrument can make you smarter. (2nd Affirm girl)
2. Dance is only for girls to learn. (1st Neg girl)
3. Everyone enjoys the challenge of learning a harder musical piece. (1st Affirm boy)
4. Dance is just as important as running, throwing and catching. (2nd Affirm boy)

Can you make a statement which will shoot these down?
 
Debating Teams for Round 3
Year 5 Blue Room 5 6:40 That school students should wear a uniform
NEGATIVE Timekeeper: Hannah
Speaker 1. Tom L.
Speaker 2. Mark T.
Speaker 3. Philippa

Year 5 White. Room 7 6:40 That school students should wear a uniform
AFFIRMATIVE Chairman: Angus P.
Speaker 1. James
Speaker 2. Jordan
Speaker 3. Mark D.

Year 6/7 Blue Room 9 7:30 That handwriting is an outdated skill
NEGATIVE Timekeeper: Nethli    

Speaker 1. Nashrah
Speaker 2. Bonnie
Speaker 3. James

Year 6/7 White Room 7 7:30 That handwriting is an outdated skill

AFFIRMATIVE Chairman: Anna
Speaker 1. William
Speaker 2. Tom
Speaker 3. Maddie (Sally off)


gops, arhu