LEFT PAGE : RONAN AHL ( YEAR 9 ) . ABOVE FROM LEFT : BEN GARSON ( YEAR 11 ), ZAC REID ( YEAR 10 ), SASHA PILLAY ( YEAR 8 ), SAMI SAMIEE ( YEAR 8 )
PUBLIC SPEAKING AND DEBATING
Parliament Prize – Ben Garson ( Year 11 )
The world we live in today faces a multitude of unique challenges . Among the chorus of divisiveness and increasingly polarised opinions , it is vital for us to recognise the importance of one of the most defining gifts for positive change in our world : our voice .
I didn ’ t know anything about the Parliament Prize until I was invited to participate . However , after reading the information I saw it as not just a public speaking competition , but also an opportunity for me to voice my opinions on a topic about which I had passionate views .
The competition requires you to ‘ submit a video of a 90-second statement you would make to Parliament if you were an MP . You are required to tell us about the issues you care about affecting your community ’. In preparing my statement I knew that I wanted to express my thoughts on a topical concern , but not one centred around the worldwide pandemic which took so much of our focus this year . Instead I chose racism or , more specifically , the Black Lives Matter movement .
For me , the Black Lives Matter movement transcends the concept of a mere ‘ topic ’. I appreciate my personal views cannot evoke the passionate responses of those who experience personal racial injustice , but reading many of these views on social media moved me to select this issue . I came to recognise that internalised prejudices stem from ignorance , and real change is contingent on acknowledgement and respectful conversation .
I feel honoured to be the first Scotch boy to receive the prize and highly recommend this competition .
AUSTRALIAN INDIVIDUAL DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING
Championship – Ronan Ahl ( Year 9 ) A Scotch team entered this competition , which spans three days and involves four areas : interpretive reading , individual debating ,
impromptu speaking and after-dinner speaking or persuasive speaking . I seized the after-dinner opportunity to put a humorous spin on the daily coronavirus press conferences from Premier Daniel Andrews , where he spoke about everything from Stage 10 restrictions to his iconic North Face jacket .
This challenging competition put to the test my public speaking abilities in ways I had never previously imagined . The online format created a particular challenge : speaking to a camera with your fingers constantly crossed , hoping the NBN would be effective . All Scotch students experienced success at AIDPSC , with all boys placed in the top 18 nationally . I was placed eighth , and was selected in the top 10 students who will form the Australian team for the International WIDPSC , to be held online in 2021 .
UN Youth Evatt Model UN – Zac Reid ( Year 10 )
Earlier this year I participated in the UN Youth Evatt event , an experience designed to model the events of the United Nations , held in a youth-based forum . My partner and I represented Russia and found the experience challenging yet rewarding , as we found the quality of our debating increase throughout the duration of the program .
I learnt a great deal about the intricacies of the United Nations ; the amending and voting on prepared and impromptu resolutions , as well as the complexity of its workings and the importance of cohesion between sitting members in order to achieve a common goal . One also engages in diplomacy , with this being a main avenue of finding success in the event . With a very specific manner of operation it was a unique experience , and I highly recommend it .
National Online Debating – Ned Sutherland ( Year 8 )
This competition , which has always been hosted virtually , provided a great environment for debaters to test and build on their debating skills . The competition operates in a similar format to that of the DAV , with three speakers against three speakers , but with the addition of a fourth member who helps with rebuttal .
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 29