Schools compete in Dorking Rotary's Youth Speaks - A Debate competition
Six teams took part from four schools with St John's taking the trophy
The winning St John’s team with their trophy.
Submitted for publication in the Dorking Advertiser
After a gap of two years due to Covid-19 restrictions, Rotary in Dorking, Surrey, were delighted to be back on stage on Wednesday, March 9 with its annual public speaking competition.
Six teams took part from four schools - hosts St Teresa’s, St John’s, City of London Freemen’s and Manor House.
Each team chose a subject – mostly with an eye on topical issues - with this year ranging from school uniforms, the Barbie doll as a role model, the death penalty, E-Sports in the Olympics, euthanasia and the presence of monuments to past figureheads on our streets. Teams of three were led by their chair, with a proposer talking in favour of the motion, and a second speaker talking against.
A Rotary spokesperson said: "Team ages ranged from 13 to 17 who chose and researched their topic, before standing on stage to present to an audience unknown to them, within a time span of fifteen minutes. As always, the standards were very high, and as our judges regularly say, all come out winners from the experiences gained.
"Of course in any competition there is a chosen winner, and this year the trophy was taken by St John’s, who took as their motion ‘Monuments to historical figures should remain’.
"The argument for this reminded us why these figures were so lauded at their time, for the benefits they brought to their communities and the country as a whole, in the context of what was at the time ‘an accepted norm’ across the world. Taking down a statue, they argued, cannot change history and we should not attempt to ‘cancel’ or re-write history: rather, we should understand and learn.
"On the other side, of course, is the argument that on the values of today seeing these statues can be seen as glorifying past misdemeanours, and can cause offence to today’s audiences.
"So their argument concluded – take it down, perhaps, but do not destroy it. Do not over-react. Discuss, educate, understand… celebrate what is good in our history without glorifying what is now unacceptable. Lets learn from the past, not rub out the bits of it we do not like nowadays.
"Congratulations to the St John’s team, for what truly was an outstanding and well balanced team effort."
The two teams from Manor House were worthy runners-up and all can be proud of their performances. The Rotary says it looks forward to seeing many of these students back with them for next year's competition, and gave a final ‘thank-you’ to the teams’ teachers, parents and mentors for the huge part they play in bringing the teams on stage.
To find out more about Rotary in Dorking, the work that they do with schools and youth in the area and the youth competitions that rotary runs, or to attend a meeting or an event, please contact club secretary Andy Tanner at: secretary@dorkingrotaryclub.co.uk
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