Find your voice                            Sydenham High School    Eva Nacci

On the 4th of April, this Tuesday, Sydenham High School are starting the week off through discussion, debate and the love for public speaking.

Keeping within school tradition, the annual debate will take place this Tuesday morning, promoting public speaking and encouraging all students to think creatively. The debate consists of four girls in each team, each girl from a different year group, age group and background, joining together to present their argument. The morning includes a small introduction of the topic, as well as plenty of opportunity for students and staff alike to engage with the debate, posing questions and rebuttals to the two teams. There have been many debates during the past, since the idea was first introduced. Previous topic questions have included ‘This house believes university education should be free’ and ‘This house believes that reality television does more harm than good.’ as well as ‘This house believes that we should bring back the death penalty.’

The annual debates held in the past have often been regarded with excitement and interest from all students alike, as they pose an opportunity for girls of all ages to consider important and current issues, learn to approach a problem with an open and critical mind, and also learn to make decisions effectively. Furthermore, the debating is executed with enthusiasm and wit, and all girls are passionate and interested in what they are discussing, making it both delightful and entertaining for the audience to watch. Furthermore, the topics presented are engaging and compelling. Learning to appreciate debating and the art of public speaking while a person is still at school encourages young girls to speak up, and have their voice heard, helping women realise their potential, and to confront the world with an inquisitive and open mind.

In a digital era, it also promotes the communication with other people, arming girls with what they need to confront the world of work confidently, secure that they will be heard, and that they can be heard.

Even through my own experiences with debating, I realise how daunting it can be, even if a person does not suffer from anxiety of public speaking. However, through encouraging girls to confront these fears, and to speak up, it can only provide a future filled with independant and confident young women, who confront the world not because they have to, but because they want to.