The Rise of the Art of Argument

29 September 2011Robin J

Having arrived at Brentwood as a Grade 8 four years ago, I feel that in my time here as a student I have witnessed a truly historic growth in the school’s Debate and Public Speaking program. My own beginnings in debate were as a time keeper when Brentwood last hosted their own debate tournament in 2007. Previously, I had thought that debate was essentially a prolonged argument where one side proved the other wrong. While this is somewhat true, that day I also saw the skill with which reason can be put into words and used to seek truth.
The senior debates I watched back in Grade 8 motivated me to sign up for debate as a fine art in Grade 9. Mr. MacLean enthusiastically led me and fellow classmates Anastasia K (our current debate captain) and Ian M (our current head prefect) as we headed off to tournaments at SMUS, GNS, UBC, and even the model UN at UVIC. That year, debate was a one block program of about 25 students.
In 2009 Mrs. Day Reynolds was passed the torch and the debate program expanded to two blocks, one for juniors and one for seniors. Last year, debate was introduced to the Grade 9s as a mandatory part of their foundation year at Brentwood and Mrs. Day Reynolds, assisted by Anastasia and I, taught that course as well as a junior and senior class in different blocks.
Now here we are in 2011, and the debate program is thriving and expanding. This year Mr. Bryant, a new to Brentwood, but experienced chemistry teacher and debate coach has taken the helm of the senior debate program while Mrs. Day Reynolds runs the debate foundation program. Additionally, a dedicated group of debaters have branched off to prepare for this year’s model UN tournaments at UVIC and UBC.
Impressively, the first Brentwood debate tournament in four years is taking place this year on October 15th. So far six schools from the Island have signed up and Mr. Bryant aspires to draw even more to come so that this year’s startup tournament can be memorable and one of the larger ones of the year. Parents and alumni are absolutely welcome to participate as judges or to spectate and cheer on Brentwood’s debaters. The tournament will be taking up about 20 classrooms and will immerse many of the students and faculty in organizing, tabulating, and timing.
After the tournament, the debate season will only have just begun, for the Island, British Columbia, and, with luck, even the country awaits the skillful thrust and parry of the burgeoning might of Brentwood Debate.

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