WELCOME TO CARDIFF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

On October the 5th, Cardiff Sixth Form College participated in the regional round of the Julian Hodge Bank Wales Schools Debating Championships, held in Howell's School. To represent our college, three teams of two were sent to pit their skills against other debaters in the region. CSFC Team A consisted of the articulate and collaborative partnership of Amber Summerhayes and Thamani Mazhani, CSFC Team B boasted the terrifying combination of Kamagelo Thetoestile and Kitso, whereas the last minute addition of a CSFC Team C introduced Teto Ivan Seitshiro and Krishna Ramesh into the competition. Kutlo Kebaikanye and Zen Foo were also chosen, but as a reserve team, thus completing the octet of debaters sent to Howell's School.

At precisely 1pm, the CSFC Debate Team strode proudly into the hallways of Howell's School, smartly dressed and prepared to kill. The instant they strode into the main hall, they were immediately greeted by a vast stage and bright lights; an arena set for a showdown.

After a quick briefing by the Chairperson of the debate, Ms Helen Davies, the first debate began. The motion presented was 'This House Believes That Western Countries Have a Duty to Help Topple Dictatorships" and the Proposition team was none other than CSFC Debate Team A, whereas the Opposition team was Cathedral School.

The second debate pitted CSFC Team C, consisting of Krishna and Ivan, against rivals Howell's School. The motion was "This House Believes That Child Obesity is a Form of Parental Neglect" with Cardiff Sixth Form College as the proposing team. It was clear that Cardiff Sixth Form College were definitely the superior team, and the crowd agreed as everyone in the audience bar two voted in favour of the dominant Cardiff Sixth Form College during the open floor voting.

The most interesting debate of the day was definitely the last debate that took place. The final debate saw CSFC Team B opposing the motion "This House Believes that All State-Funded Schools Should be Secular" against Pontypridd High School. The debate itself was fascinating, however not because of the intensity of the debate between the two sides, but because of the sheer annihilation of Pontypridd High School at the hands of Cardiff Sixth Form College, represented by the utterly terrifying combination of Kamogelo and Kitso.

After all the debates had finished, it was announced that the team from Bishop of Llandaff High School had emerged overall victors in the competition. However, much to the CSFC Debate Team’s delight, Amber and Kitso's debating prowess was recognised by the judges as they both received awards for "Best Independent Speaker" that day, along with a third speaker from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr School. Overall, the team went back high in spirits, satisfied with the day's outcome.

Written by Foo Yung Zen