Page 8 - 張祝珊英文中學－ECHOv1.2

Feature article

Meet Miss Chiu - Our new alumnus teacher!

4B Yuan Zhanrou

Among the teachers of our school, there are teacher. When you are able to handle all of these,
quite a number of alumni. Our new English teacher, you will feel accomplished.”
Miss Chiu Hay Ah Alison, is the only new alumnus
teacher this year. Miss Chiu is famous for her strict I can see the changes in a positive way
but free-fl owing teaching style. Apart from teaching, “We didn't have a lot of resources so we
Ms Chiu has also devoted herself fully to the English had learnt the importance of sharing our learning
Debating Team as she is the supervisor of the team materials from different sources since early years.
this year. Many of us would stay afters chool in our own
classrooms to do homework and revision together.
“Cause I have the chance to be back” Though the learning atmosphere in the past is
When asked about the reason for her return, friendlier and more forgiving than that nowadays,
she answered at ease, “Because I have the chance to I must say that students in the new era are more
be back. In addition, I am really glad to grasp this independent and able to take up new challenges,
precious opportunity to learn from and cooperate both inside and outside classroom.” This is how Second preliminary Sing Tao Inter-School Debating
Competitiion at Maryknoll Convent School
with my teachers.” Recalling her old days in Miss Chiu commented on the learning environment
CCSC, Miss Chiu said that her teachers often nowadays. She sees the keen competition as a the supervisor of the English Debating Team. “This
shared interesting stories about their travelling and fuel for boosting students’ personal abilities and task is challenging and I need to learn how to deal
university lives in class, which has become her facilitating all-round development. with many different things simultaneously.” Miss
major teaching inspiration. “Every day will be a Chiu also mentioned that in the course of preparing
brand-new story of you and your students if you My debating buddies... for the competitions with her students, she is
are a teacher. Students act differently every day, and Miss Chiu does not have the experience in acquiring new knowledge and that is what makes her
there are various challenges I have to face as a new formal debates, but she is very pleased to be assigned life in the debating team so fruitful.

Art of language - how debate sharpens my logical reasoning From a cue-card reader to a debater,

4B Tam Ching Hin my life in the English Debating Team
4B Cheng Yik Tung
It's easy to defi ne debating.
To me, debate is not
I personally perceive debate as an art simply about arguing and
of language, or somehow a sport of chivalry. making oneself sound
In history when people disagreed with one convincing. It is about
another, they chose to resort to violence. But as communicating and growing
humans got progressively civilized, they began with your teammates through
to provide reasons and facts to stand for their all the ups and downs. It
own viewpoints. I believe this is particularly wouldn't be that easy to
critical since it is one step forward on the path of deliver speeches on stage
rational mindsets, where humans would not solve without the painstaking
confl icts solely by emotions or impulsiveness but their entire scripts onto their cue cards. During preparations with my
rationality. the match, they would often refer to the cards, ‘comrades.’
which is probably not conducive to nurturing
On a personal level, debating is also their own debating style. Recently, the idea of Having engaged in debating activities for two years, I
profoundly beneficial. Participating in debating ‘cardless’ speeches has gained steam, which am gratifi ed that I have learnt precious lessons. Staying after
has broadened my horizons towards different is encouraging. Look at those politicians and school till late, spending hours brainstorming arguments and
social issues. My interest in politics as well as presidents. They are speaking with nothing but predicting what arguments the opposite side may bring up
opinions in current affairs are developed through confi dence. Debating is meant to be cool! have been my everyday routine when a debate competition
the process of discussing with my teammates. is approaching. Despite all the moments that I feel drained,
Discussion and exchange of opinions are I am grateful to see the development of the my school life is colourful because of debating. What I have
essential to build up one's critical thinking, and Team brought by the three supervisors over the gained from debating has far exceeded what I could possibly
during these clashes we are able to take multiple years, Mr Malby, Mr CP Wong and Miss Chiu. imagine before joining the team. Now I do not just read out the
perspectives and fi t into others' shoes, helping us Their guidance and support are the very reasons cue cards loud on stage, but I would respond to the seemingly
deal with motions of undesirable stances. for the remarkable and unexpected achievements impeccable arguments presented by my opponents instantly.
of the Team in these years. I cannot tell how Both my oral presentation skills and logical reasoning have
Furthermore, debating is an ideal platform proud I am to be on the Team and how lucky I been greatly sharpened in these two years. From a cue-card-
not only to express yourselves, but also to make am to have such brilliant teammates. The joy and reading student to a debater who is brave enough to pinpoint
breakthroughs. Most debaters begin by copying tears that we share will be remembered forever. the far-fetched arguments, I do think that I have challenged
myself in the debating team.

Debate demonstration in school assembly