Debating

As Ms MacLeod explained before the debate, the staff-student showdown is one of the best days of the year, as it is the only time students are allowed to make fun of their teachers with little to no consequences. 

This year’s topic of “students have a harder job than teachers” saw the heavy-hitting staff team of Miss Waldron, Mrs Robertson, and Dr Horne arguing for the affirmative, while the legendary student team of Will Legoe, Bowen Brown, and I contended that it is, in fact, the teachers with the more difficult role. The teachers raised concerns about students’ stressful lives, the ever-changing workload compared to teachers who teach the same things year after year, and the lack of independence and luxury afforded to students. In contrast, students pointed out that teaching is a walk in the park... Jurassic Park, raised points about how unfair it is to teachers that they have to constantly deal with the most annoying age group, how they have real adult lives that they must manage on top of being required to actually pay attention in class to keep their job, and the unfair representation of teachers in the media, such as Mrs Trunchbull. After some thoughtful deliberation, the adjudication panel, comprised of both staff and students to minimise bias, declared the students victorious. Better luck next year, teachers.

Thank you so much to the adjudicators, Mr Kruger, Poppy Malseed and Leila Robertson, and also a massive thank you to the Head of Public Speaking and Debating, Ms MacLeod, for her organisation and support.

Phoebe Baker

Public Speaking and Debating Captain