Brown’s Town High School won the St Ann Police-sponsored schools debate competition when they defeated Ocho Rios High in the finals at Shaw Park Hotel, Ocho Rios on Thursday, November 24, 2016.
The finals were held before a crowd of supporters from the contesting schools as well as students and teachers from schools that had taken part in the competition that started October 19
Brown’s Town were unlikely winners, having lost to Ocho Rios High in an earlier round. In fact, Brown’s Town High came back into the competition only after York Castle High failed to turn up for a match against Aabuthnott Gallimore High. Brown’s Town, one of the highest scoring losers in round two, took less than three hours to prepare for and get to the match when called. They won.
The team was commended for its preparation and research done for the finals and also for the convincing style in which the debaters made their presentation on the moot “The current legislative framework does not provide adequate support for modern policing.”
Among those in attendance at the finals were: Custos of St Ann, Norma Walters; ACP Fitz Bailey, head of Area 2, sponsors of the competition; Supt Gary Francis, head of St Ann police; as well as other senior officers including Supt. Dudley Scott and inspector Shernett Crossman Bundah. Among sponsors’ representatives was Captain Richard Saunders, of Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners, a Dada Holding.
Guest speaker was deputy commissioner of police Novelette Grant who commended the praised the competition and encouraged the students including the debaters to continue to be motivated from within.
On hand to celebrate the Brown’s Town High victory was principal of the school Alfred Thomas and main coach, vice principal Venette Fisher-Gordon , who said thanks on behalf of the participating schools.
Best overall speaker for the competition was Sandre Codner of Aabuthnott Galimore High. Top debater for the finals was Christina Maxwell.
Judges for the finals led by chief judge Franklin McKnight, were James Walsh, Christene Badal McBean, Kimberley Simms and Oral Heaven.
Coordinator Corporal Natalie Williams gave an overview of the competition and thanked the nine schools which participated for their involvement. They were: Brown’s Town, Ocho Rios, York Castle, St Hilda’s Diocesan, Ferncourt, St Ann’s Bay,North Gate, Aabuthnott Gallimore high schools and Steer Town Academy.
Cpl Williams gave special thanks to Shaw Park Beach for hosting most of the matches. The first match was held at Hibiscus Lodge and another at the John McDowell Centre.
A host of prizes and awards was presented to the teams and individual for their performances at the finals and throughout the competition.
Chairman for the proceedings and all the debates was Halshane Burke.
