A schools debating competition organised by Salisbury Rotary Club was hosted by Bishop Wordsworth’s School for the Group 5 round of ‘Youth Speaks’.
Each team of three students prepares, introduces, proposes and opposes a 15-minute debate in front of an audience and judging panel, on a topic of their own choice, and also answer questions posed by the audience.
The students can select a topic familiar to them, allowing them to carry out research, formulate ideas and build confidence.
The evening was highly entertaining and informative with all the students taking part confident and very well-versed in their subjects and extremely competitive, with some lively debates and leaving the judges with hard decisions.
After much discussion, the judging panel of Caroline Millman, Lynn Emerson and Colin Johnson announced the two teams that now progress to the District round at The Mountbatten School in Romsey on Saturday, March 16.
Intermediate – St Anne’s Catholic School, Southampton Subject: Shakespeare: Entertainment not Education Chair: Zunaira Haneef; Proposer: Caitlin Dugdale; Opposer: Hamdi Khan
Senior – Warminster School Topic: Is it time for the NHS to be Privatised? Chair: Oliver Corker; Proposer: Samuel Milner-Smith; Opposer: Henry Williams.
Youth Speaks is an inspiring event, showcasing the skills, knowledge and confidence in students.
Salisbury Rotary thanks the judging panel for their diligent judging and feedback; Rotarian Steve Marriott, acting as Timekeeper; Rotarian Jan Paterson as Master of Ceremonies; Rotarian Alan Corkill for organising the whole evening and, in particular, Dr Smallwood, Head Teacher, and Sally White, at Bishop Wordsworth’s School, for hosting the event.
