Oratory

 

Once again, the Demosthenes Debating Society has enjoyed a year inundated with success, a trait that has become the society’s defining characteristic in recent years.

 

On the debating front, our senior, junior and grade 8 teams performed at their usual high standard and reached the semi-finals of the Durban Coastal Debating League before gracefully bowing out. The consistency among all three teams was highlighted in the fact that, as a school, St. Henry’s ranked first in a league comprising of 90 teams. Furthermore, Bianca Phillips was ranked as the number one speaker in the DCDL. Aman Baboolal, Larissa Bhagwandin, Chanêi Parumaul, Bianca Phillips and Shrivaan Raju were all awarded D&D colours and Chanêi and Larissa built on this achievement by going on to attain Junior KZN colours.

 

Forum teams displayed sophisticated thought and provided the floor with stimulating conversation, inter house debates were naturally heated and the interhouse quiz provided much fun and intellectual rivalry. The highlight of the year, however, was the annual Daily News and Rotary Team Talk in which our team, comprised of Teddy Cipolla, Stephen Horn and Nicholas Pitman, went on to beat 74 schools and win the title as well R20 000 for Albini’s Girls High School. Their speech called “Stomping out the violence” was extremely topical and inspirational. 

 

The Debating Society has been experienced a once-in-a-lifetime treat in the form of the “Chipman” show, weekly entertainment, courtesy of Nicholas Pitman and Teddy Cipolla. We have had an extremely involved group in the society this year, which saw many people take advantage of the opportunity to improve their public speaking skills. All members of the society were extremely helpful in any way that they could be – your contribution was not overlooked.

 

None of the aforementioned happenings would have been possible without the work of the 2009 committee and Mrs Batho, whose efforts were instrumental when St. Henry’s was hosting a meet – it was greatly appreciated. Lastly, an overwhelming thank you to Mrs Smith, who, in what is her last year as the teacher-in-charge of the DDS, has been largely responsible for anything and everything that the society is associated with – the committee of 2010 will sorely miss her.

 

“To be in control of one’s destiny lies in the mastering of speech.” - Demosthenes

 

Aman Baboolal - Chairman