Having their say

SOAPBOX COMPETITION 2020

Despite this year being full of unprecedented events, we were fortunate enough to be able to still hold the Soapbox competition, now a Diocesan tradition, albeit in a slightly different format.

This really is testament to the unique ethical dilemmas this new decade has presented us – be it how to respond to a pandemic, arming the police force or deciding how best to remember New

Zealand’s racist past. The year 2020 has taught us how powerful individuals can be when speaking up about what they are passionate about.

We had over 100 students from Years 7 to 13 speak on a variety of issues ranging from mental health to climate change to racism sparked by COVID-19. Our finalists, whose soapboxes were broadcast for the first time to the School in an online format, all spoke confidently, eloquently and passionately.

Ethics Soapbox competition winners

Ella Riley (left) and Pascale Vincent (right)

The Junior High School finalists were Pascale Vincent, Victoria Wright, Bharathi Manikandan, all from Year 10, and Violet Tucker from Year 8. Pascale won with a powerful speech about how damaging beauty expectations can be, while Bharathi Manikandan came runner-up. With the online format, we also allowed the student body to vote for a speech to receive the People’s Choice award, which was also won by Pascale.

In the Senior School, Shania Kumar, Sarah Young and Rosie Leishman all from Year 12, and Ella Riley from Year 11 won through as finalists. Ella won the competition in the senior division with a compelling slam poem about how we need to be more open with our mental health, rather than hiding behind the excuse of ‘I’m just tired’. Sarah was runner-up, also presenting a clever slam poem about the increased aggression and racism towards Asians sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The People’s Choice award was also won by Ella.

Huge congratulations to the winners, finalists, and all who competed in the Soapbox competition this year. It is more important than ever to take a stand on issues that one feels passionate about and spark debate and open-mindedness. We hope to see this tradition continuing at Diocesan in the future.

Nina Blumenfeld (TIC) and the Ethics Committee