Director of Culture | Mr Matt Cocking

Debating

Thomas Nunn-Rutledge (Year 11)

Last week I had the incredible privilege of representing Queensland at the 2021 Nationals Schools Debating Championships (NSDC) in Hobart.  Our preparation stretched over months - with intensive holiday and weekend training sessions. Thankfully, our hard work paid off, with the Queensland team achieving success - placing first overall following internal rounds, winning the major semi-final, and coming away with a close loss in the grand final. The experience of debating, working and often just chatting with some of the best and brightest communicators in the country is something I will never forget. One would think that winning debates and finding success would be the highlight of my week. However, upon reflection, I have found that the insightful conversations between friends, old and new, the excellent advice I received from people I had been spiritedly arguing with just moments beforehand, will instead be something I forever value and cherish. As a team, we decided to open our speeches in the grand final with ‘friends’ instead of ‘panel’ (the name given to the collection of judges who adjudicate debates). This was a decision to close the widening gap between productive, analytical communication, and communication which sensitively and empathetically deals with issues that affect real-life people. Despite how it often appears, the two types of communication can positively co-exist. And I think - as a team - we are acutely aware of the way toxic public debate occurs and the tangible impact that can have on people’s lives. I would encourage everyone to prioritise their humanity over the pursuit of victory in futile disagreements. Winning means nothing if it comes at the cost of everything.

To all those involved in the team selection and training process, thank you. Our success stems from your hard work and dedication. A special thanks to my incomparable team, Harry, Hoyeon and Jaguar. And to my coaches, Ineka, Lauren, Elliot, Cate and Dana - I thank you for your advice, humour and kindness. To the broader Terrace Family, I thank you for your support in an incredibly stressful but incredibly rewarding time. A special thanks to Mr Ali and Mr Stormonth for all you have done and continue to do behind the scenes. Finally, I encourage all Terrace debaters to get involved in the state team trialling process; the feedback and coaching you can receive - even in preliminary rounds - is second to none.

I look forward to seeing what this year's remaining debating season, and 2022 as a whole, has in store for us - and I wish the best of luck to all competing teams.

QDU Debating

The final round for Year 8 and Senior A is tonight.  This has been a very successful season for our QDU debating students and coaches.  We will be able to publish the teams who are progressing to the finals next week.

AHS v GT Debate

This annual debate will be held in the Claver Theatre at All Hallows’ School.  Tickets are limited.  If Senior students wish to attend, an email has been sent from Mr Ali with the link for tickets.

Terrace Debating Dinner - Save the Date

The annual Debating Dinner will be held at The Marquee, Victoria Park, on 26 August. We look forward to recognising our student’s accomplishments for the 2021 seasons of GPS and QDU Debating.

Public Speaking

Public Speaking Workshops

The power of story, audience connection, speaking with confidence: these are just three of many public speaking techniques offered at the Terrace Public Speaking workshops from the dynamic presenters, Mr Adrian Pauley and Mr Kevin Ryan.

In Term 2, three public speaking workshops saw enthusiastic Years 7-9 boys develop their public speaking with innovative information and small group practice. Participants learnt about the craft of public speaking with their ‘A+ orals’ resource and the ‘Speak Well’ expertise of Mr Pauley and Mr Ryan.

Thank you to Mr Pauley and Mr Ryan, and the workshop participants. We look forward to offering more public speaking workshops in the future.

In Week 5, Term 3, we have a Terrace Public Speaking competition for Junior (Years 5-6), Intermediate (Years 7-9) and Senior (Years 10-12). It will be a supportive atmosphere where boys deliver a short speech of 3-5 minutes on a set topic. There will be a Senior student and teacher judges, and a prize for the winner! Please contact Miss Clarke - bridgetclarke@terrace.qld.edu.au to enter. Further details will be communicated from Miss Clarke and the Culture Department. Thank you for your support.

House Choir – 23 July

Those new to the College have yet to experience this all-College event.  It is the biggest event in the Terrace calendar and involves every student, in every House.  It was with great sadness that the event was cancelled last year, so we are looking forward to this year’s event overflowing with gusto and enthusiasm.

Information will be coming out shortly regarding the logistics of the event – parking and venue access – please keep an eye out for that information.  House Choir is held at the Pat Rafter Arena, Queensland Tennis Centre, Tennyson.

The nine Houses are competing for both the House Choir Cup – decided by a panel of adjudicators, and the People’s Choice Shield – decided by audience votes.  $1.00 = one vote.

To add to the “Eat St” vibe of the event, we have various vendors who will be open from 5pm and continuing during the event.

We look forward to once again having a capacity crowd cheering on their favourite House. 

Music

Norman Clarke Concert     

The Norman Clarke Concert scheduled for this Sunday at Villa Nova College has been postponed due to unfinished building works at the theatre. These works were due to be completed in time for our concert.

We are pleased to inform the College community that the Norman Clarke Concert will now be held on Sunday 18 July, we kindly ask all families to mark this change in their diaries.

What’s on in Music
  • String Quartet: Friday Morning
  • Pep Band: Saturday 5 June - 12.15pm arrival
  • Norman Clarke Concert: Sunday 18 July

Support Group meetings

Support Group meetings will be held online if necessary. 

Staying in touch 

To keep in touch with all things Cultural, we suggest you download the Terrace App and follow us on social media to ensure you don’t miss anything.   If you have any photographs or videos that you would like to share, please tag us.

TWITTER            @GTCulture

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YOUTUBE          Terrace Culture YouTube Channel