Cayo Sinclair, Chris Gentry and Daniel Joaille-Burge (Y7) represented Bedford Prep School superbly in a balloon debate on Thursday 10 November, at Oundle School. The debate was contested by over 20 pupils from five prep schools.
The three boys along with the other speakers needed to win the audience’s approval, who must imagine that all the speakers are flying in a hot-air balloon that is sinking and someone has to be thrown out if everyone is not to crash. Each speaker must make the case of why they should not be thrown out of the balloon to save the remainder. It was the first debate of this style for the boys.
For the first round, the boys had to select and speak as sports people who have achieved outside of sport, and for the second round, musicians who have developed their genre the most. Cayo selected Ann Meyers Drysdale, the American former basketball player and sports broadcaster, for the first round and lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osborne, for the second. Chris opted to speak as Colin Kaepernick, an American football quarterback and civil rights activist, and Willie Nelson, the American country musician. Daniel chose Alan Page, a former professional American football player and retired judge, then American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, Dolly Parton.
Cayo, Daniel and Chris were outstanding from the outset. On arriving at Oundle, they immediately started conversations with pupils from another school showing great self-confidence and social skills. They delivered their speeches in Round 1 with flair. Daniel was complimented not only on his speaking ability but also on his skill in analysing the words of others and his ability to ask probing questions. Cayo and Chris both successfully reached the final, along with three others, and in a brilliant result, Chris took second place.
It proved a great day for the boys and an excellent debate, during which they learned a great deal about different debating styles and ways to frame an argument. We look forward to seeing them put their newfound knowledge to use in future debates. Well done boys.
