Friends of Sydney Academy Debate
Donation protected
Help us ensure that all bright students can travel to out-of-province debating tournaments, regardless of financial background.
A group of Cape Bretoners have banded together to launch a new fundraising program aimed at preserving Sydney Academy’s storied history of competitive debating. The “Friends of Sydney Academy Debate Society” has set out to raise funds to offset the costs of out-of-province competitions.
While Cape Breton students have the talent, drive, and ability to succeed, rising travel costs have grounded the Sydney Academy’s once high-flying debate team. Long a perennial contender for Provincial and National Championships, the team is poised to bounce back to capture its place at the top of the podium.
Tournament costs can regularly reach into the thousands to send a team of debaters to national or international competitions in places like Toronto, Vancouver, or the UK. Meanwhile, students attending independent schools -- with associated financial support -- can reap the benefits of swapping ideas and arguments with the best high school debaters in the country.
As Harold Kyte, Academy debate coach and vice-principal, puts it, “Debating is the best thing I have done in education. Competitive public speaking in a debating situation promotes character; stimulates creativity; develops intellectual curiosity; teaches humility (all too often); and more generally, opens up all sorts of options and opportunities for the future success of student participants. In short it it works superbly educationally. I know of no better technique to assist individual growth.”
After raising nearly four thousand dollars in 2016, the Friends of Sydney Academy Debate Society is looking to raise an additional $20,000 to support the club’s activities for the next five years. This portal is for small donations. For larger donations, please contact the fundraising team directly at [email redacted].
A group of Cape Bretoners have banded together to launch a new fundraising program aimed at preserving Sydney Academy’s storied history of competitive debating. The “Friends of Sydney Academy Debate Society” has set out to raise funds to offset the costs of out-of-province competitions.
While Cape Breton students have the talent, drive, and ability to succeed, rising travel costs have grounded the Sydney Academy’s once high-flying debate team. Long a perennial contender for Provincial and National Championships, the team is poised to bounce back to capture its place at the top of the podium.
Tournament costs can regularly reach into the thousands to send a team of debaters to national or international competitions in places like Toronto, Vancouver, or the UK. Meanwhile, students attending independent schools -- with associated financial support -- can reap the benefits of swapping ideas and arguments with the best high school debaters in the country.
As Harold Kyte, Academy debate coach and vice-principal, puts it, “Debating is the best thing I have done in education. Competitive public speaking in a debating situation promotes character; stimulates creativity; develops intellectual curiosity; teaches humility (all too often); and more generally, opens up all sorts of options and opportunities for the future success of student participants. In short it it works superbly educationally. I know of no better technique to assist individual growth.”
After raising nearly four thousand dollars in 2016, the Friends of Sydney Academy Debate Society is looking to raise an additional $20,000 to support the club’s activities for the next five years. This portal is for small donations. For larger donations, please contact the fundraising team directly at [email redacted].
Organizer
Friends Of Sydney Academy Debate Society
Organizer
Sydney, NS