National School Debate Competition 2018

From left to right: Cristabel, William, Ms Darla, James, Glen, Marco, Adelaide, Jamine (not in picture: Mr Mohan)

On 13th March 2018, two teams of specially selected debate students from Bina Bangsa School Kebon Jeruk represented the school in the National School Debate Competition. Both teams received honors placing 2nd and 3rd place. The team comprising Marco, Cristabel and Jasmine took second place and James, Glen and Adelaide took third. Marco was selected to represent the district as a result of his excellent performance during the debates. Congratulations to all our debate team representatives and good luck to Marco in the upcoming debate.

Ms Darla: “Preparation is key. Even though they had little time for preparation, they made use of the minimal time and did their best.”

A couple of the students that participated in the Debate Competition submitted their testimonials about their experience during the event. See below for their thoughts.

Trust his heart by Glen JC1 Forbes

In the National Schools Debate competition at the end of term three, eight students from JC-1 were selected to form two teams to represent Bina Bangsa (Kebun Jeruk). We had to slug it out with 48 of the best teams from other schools.

The two-day event was an unforgettable experience. In the preliminary rounds on the first day, we were given the topic, “This house believes that single sex schools are more beneficial for students.” We won that round in a hard-fought battle and proceeded to the next round comprising the best eight teams. It was a lot more nerve wrecking now. The opposing team was highly trained and prepared for the round. Nonetheless, we gave it our best and pushed through.

We were left with giddy excitement when the judges mentioned our teams’ names: In the quarter finals, it was BBS ‘A’ against BBS ‘B’ in a totally unexpected match up. Our opposition, BBS ‘B’ took that round and headed straight to the finals. Despite having lost against BBS ‘B’, we clinched the third place. BBS ‘B’ went up against SMAK 1 for the final round. The BBS ‘B’ team held out for second place in the competition and the ‘A’ team clinched the third place. This competition was undoubtedly an occasion to remember

A rewarding debate competition experience by Jasmine JC1 Mendel

The best things in life rarely ring the doorbell. When I signed up for the National Schools Debate Competition, I had never anticipated the fun that I would have.

After the selection process and settled with our teams, including our two reserves, all eight of us gathered early Monday morning on the 12th of March in the school lobby. On the bus trip to our venue nothing stopped us from rehearsing, almost obsessively, every pointer and trick we had studied over days in our practice debates.

By the time we arrived at the mayor’s office building, we were a bundle of nerves. Soon served with a light breakfast, we waited for the judges to release the motions. When the judges finally announced which teams were going against each other, all six of us were a great deal more relaxed. The government teams (those arguing for the motion) and the opposition teams (those arguing against) were chosen by means of a coin toss.

Although our opposing team was skilled, we were not too surprised when, at the end of the day, the judges announced both our teams were in the top 10 list of schools which would proceed to the next round at Sekolah Notre Dame.

The next day, as soon as everyone arrived, the committee and our MC gave several speeches and explained how the rest of the day would proceed: the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th ranked teams would compete against each other in the pre-quarterfinals. It was then that most of us realised this would not only be a test of confidence and quick thinking, but also a test of endurance.

Everyone waited with bated breath as they announced the rankings. In the end, BBS team A ended up in third place, BBS team B in second, and SMAK 1 in first. There was much shaking of hands and celebration between the top six teams, and much sweating and worry between the others.

While the four teams clashed against each other in the unused classrooms, the rest of us socialised amongst ourselves, making new friends and sharing interests. Most of us were sharing the tricks we could bear to part with and laughing over our blunders when the time finally came to flip the coins for the quarterfinals.

My team, BBS team B, went against SMAK1 team B for the quarters. The mood had definitely shifted from the lax pace of the first day. Our points of interest (mandatory inquiries) were sharper, our stances more aggressive. Once more, though our peers were good, we proved to be better and advanced to the semifinals. The semifinalists were both BBS teams, SMAK1 team B, and SMAN 78. It was at the second coin toss that we realised only one team from each school could compete in the finals.

Of course, this meant that both BBS teams had to compete against each other in the semifinals. We had joked beforehand about this slim probability occurring, but had laughed it off. Still, we shook hands, promised not to hold anything against each other, and went inside the room. I still feel that the only reason our BBS team B advanced was due to the fact that we were provided the easier standpoint. We were to argue against the sale of human organs. Somehow we argued our case well enough to impress the judges. SMAK1 and BBS team B were the regional finalists.

In debate, one of the most important rules is that the one who stands tallest and cracks last, comes first. Exhaustion was a hammer that hit hard. All present were beyond tired, judge and debater alike, after sitting through two debates prior. Our composed veneers had cracked, and our wellsprings of creativity had almost been run dry by two consecutive debates. Previously eloquent speakers stumbled over words, and nearly everyone ran around at least one bush.

Somehow, presenting your case in front of a classroom is vastly different from facing an audience from behind a microphone, even if the audience is exactly the same.

In the end, it came down to the fact that the other team held up better under stress. When the results were announced, everyone cheered and celebrated, happy to be finished. The cheers became louder as the MC announced the three who would go on to the national round: the first speakers from SMAN 78 and SMAK1, and Nicole, and BBS team B’s second speaker, Marco.

We took photos and exchanged social media accounts with each other, promising to stay in touch. For my first official debate competition, the NSDC regionals were quite a good experience. I highly recommend anyone else who enjoys debate to join. It is not only rewarding and educational, but also provides a chance to make new friends.