The annual Ganzoni debating competition between our different Houses started with the motion “This House would reinstate National Service”.
Two debaters from Holden House took the proposition, emphasising how participation in army service with the military spirit would be a solution for the current disillusioned generation. School House debaters vigorously argued against this by highlighting that national service is outdated and the negative impacts it would bring to individuals outweigh its benefits, saying limiting personal liberty in choosing a career path is counterproductive.
School House claimed the triumph with one mark higher than their opponent, but because of the small difference in their scores, they will face Holden again in the future.
The second debate saw Sherrington opposing Broke on the motion “This House would increase taxation for higher earners.” Sherrington debaters supported the motion with well-prepared figures and structured their arguments around the proposal of “increasing the taxation of the top one percent of the richest.”
Broke opposed Sherrington’s proposal with a hypothetical assumption of “increased taxation would cause people to flee away from the country or find flaws in financial systems to escape the higher income tax”.
Sherrington won this debate with better execution and use of ‘points of information’, and their stylish expression.
The third debate saw Felaw opposing Rigaud on the motion: “This House regrets the invention of the iPhone.”
Felaw, proposing the debate, argued vigorously on the ethical defects and indulged consumerist culture produced by the iPhone. For the opposition, Rigaud rebuffed by emphasising the benefits of the iPhone’s many uses, and the many advantages it has brought to society.
While there was much appreciation for the proposition, the judges decided Rigaud as the winner of this round for their stylish presentation and the plausibility of their arguments.
The first semi final will see School House propose the motion: “This House believes extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice”, with Broke in opposition.
The debates will keep going until Monday 7 February, when the final will take place in Room 1 at lunchtime. We will have our best debaters arguing on the most intriguing motion which remains a mystery for now!
Matt L, Year 13
Matt L, Year 13
