Umina teams debate each other

Umina Beach Public School's Years' 5 and 6 debating teams squared off against one another in Round 4 of the Premiers Debating Challenge.

The topic of debate was: All schools should require teachers to be fit non-smokers.

Year 6 were the affirmative and Year 5 the negative.

"Our Year 6 team's arguments included that children deserve to have fit teachers that can run around with them during sport," said school principal Ms Lyn Davis.

"If teachers quit smoking, their health will improve and they will save money.

"Teachers are role models and they would be hypocrites if they teach students about the harmful effects of obesity and smoking and are obese and/or smokers themselves."

She said: "Year 5's arguments included that it would be a breach of teacher's freedom and that what they do in their personal life does not affect students at all.

"Teachers can still be relatively fit and healthy while also being smokers or being slightly overweight.

"Forcing teachers to quit smoking will mean that teachers might be stressed out, and that they could take this out on their students," Ms Davis said.

"Our Year 6 team were successful on this topic and are the most successful debating team in our local division.

"We will now progress to the next stage of the competition.

"This is a wonderful achievement and we eagerly await details for their next debate," she said.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 14 Aug 2018

Lyn Davis, Umina Beach Public School