In early October, the second debate in the US Presidential election campaign was cancelled – at least in person – and when a virtual format was proposed as an alternative, it was dismissed by the President: ‘That is not what a debate is all about…It’s ridiculous.’
As Debating Coordinator, you won’t be surprised to know that I disagree that a virtual debate is a ‘waste of time’. Debating in any format matters. Back in February, our usual debating competition was forced to cancel as schools were regrouping to deliver lessons online. Seeing the reaction of the girls to this, we trialled online debating in an in-house competition. This allowed the girls to continue an extra-curricular activity they love and gave our senior girls the opportunity to lead when so many other opportunities could no longer go ahead. I watched them navigate this new platform, learn the differences from face-to-face debating and rise above the challenges. When we were given the opportunity to take part in an online competition with other schools, the girls did not see it as a ‘waste of time’, but a chance to continue to develop their skills and to debate students from schools that do not normally take part in the same competitions that we do. They could see how it would broaden their horizons and prepare them for a world that is rapidly changing.
In Term 3, our debaters took part in a virtual competition for the Archdale Cup, a long-established and challenging competition amongst girls’ schools. They excelled. Their confidence in their abilities increased and if I’m honest, they put politicians the world over to shame. They did not shy away from the new format, but embraced it. It reminded me of why debating is so important. It develops and enhances so many skills: the ability and confidence to speak in public clearly, confidently and to people you have likely never met before; the development of logical argument and the capacity to respond to others’ views; and the expansion of their knowledge of current events and topics that matter in today’s world.
I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate all of the girls who took part in Archdale this year; we had a phenomenal season. We won the Most Improved Shield, Jessica Pens in Year 11 was chosen for the Archdale Representative Squad and having had six teams through to the finals rounds, our Juniors team also won their division.
Our girls should be able to advocate for their position and challenge opposing ideas, particularly if it is divisive or extremist. Their exposure to social media platforms that do not promote a healthy two-way argument means that debating is more vital than ever. These platforms do not encourage interaction with different ideas; rather, the in-built confirmation bias serves to reinforce our own views, not provide alternative viewpoints.
Debating encourages the girls to question and challenge what they see in the news and online as they are often forced to argue a position that is not their own. This will only increase when they take part in the International Debating Championship in Term 4 for schools from Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The girls will be exposed to global views and interact with students from many different backgrounds and cultures as they debate topics such as medical ethics, criminal justice, education and the media. I am excited to see what the girls learn from their peers in other states and countries and the impact it will have on their learning at Queenwood, as well as their personal development.
Debating and the skills it develops are vital for our modern world. Training, preparing their speeches and then taking part in a well-run debate teaches the girls to understand, track, and make sense of national and international political debate and the ability to do so is more important than ever. Young people need to be able to challenge those in power and join the debate. Our debaters certainly can.
Mrs Lucy Benjamin
Year 10 Coordinator, English Teacher & Debating Coordinator