Head of Chapel Choir Thomas Nye agrees with Patrick that
Winning with words
College choral musicians are more well-rounded.
“Some schools are purely focused and not only have eight hours practice a week, but in some cases, the students have to sign contracts that they will not take part in any other activities. We all do plenty of other things including playing sport. We may not get to the Big Sing finals, but we are getting a broad range of musical experiences.’’ This year, there are more younger choristers in the three choirs than last year, Thomas says. “It bodes well for the future, as they get the energy from the older boys and, as they come through the years, they will also develop an understanding of the musicality we are getting.’’ Thomas has been singing since he was five and has been in a wide range of choirs and productions. While he has decided on a career in medicine, he is still hoping to get a choral scholarship so he can continue to combine both study and music. Patrick has set his sights on a one-year choral scholarship in the UK, the home of Anglican choral music, before returning to study performance music in New Zealand. “The choir is so big and has a range of varying musical abilities,’’ he says. “There were about 70 students, which, when you think about it, is large for such a small school.’’ Patrick Manning - Year 13
King’s College vs Christ’s College annual debate 2015
This year it was our turn to host the annual clash between King’s College and Christ’s College, where our top debating teams contest the Demosthenes
out that the justice system is not just about “an eye for an eye”; it also plays an important role in helping people mend their ways. He humorously argued that “we prefer people to spend their entire life alive rather than dead” and that the courts sometimes get it wrong. Innocent people have been put to death in the past! Hamish continued his team’s case, by pointing out that it is much more “satisfying” for the victim’s families to see the criminal “rot in jail” rather than have the “release” that the death penalty can provide. He also noted the incredible costs involved in having a prisoner on death row. Angus wrapped up his team’s case by adeptly summarising the key points of clash and why College had effectively dismissed the Affirmative team’s case. He questioned the affirmative’s characterisation of prison as a pleasant place
Cup. Demosthenes was an Athenian statesman,
recognised as the greatest of ancient Greek orators, who roused Athens to oppose Philip of Macedon and, later, Alexander the Great, his son. Like this ancient orator, our modern young people also have learned how to rally people to their side. This year King’s team consisted of Courtney Varney, Dylan Parshotam and Martin Luk, all Year 13 students, while Christ’s was represented by Matthew Moore, Hamish Thomas and Angus Dysart-Paul (all in Year 12). The debate was chaired by Sam Walker and adjudicated by Sophie Maher, a member of the Canterbury Society of Debating Council. The moot was that “This House supports the death penalty”. King’s came out strongly, arguing that the role of the Justice system is to punish those who commit serious crimes, and that the death penalty provides a strong deterrent, since all people fear their own death. They also argued that the death penalty provided peace for the victims’ families, knowing that the wrong- doer would never threaten another human being again. Our team spiritedly counter- argued that rehabilitation was much more preferable to retribution. Matthew pointed
to be: “years of just three meals a day and watching
television – they make it sound as good as boarding school!” It was an entertaining, high- quality debate, with College entering the debate as the underdogs but arguing their way to come out on top. Thank- you to all those who came to support our boys; it always makes a difference having an appreciative, engaged audience. Finally, warm congratulations
to Matthew Moore, who deservedly won the Best Speaker of the night title.
- Ms Chris Rayward
College Issue 29 2015
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