The Autumn term was jam-packed with opportunities for those interested in debating and public speaking to hone their craft!
Multiple cross-year-group teams participated in internal and external competitions. CLC is participating in both the English Speaking Union’s Mace Competition (debating) and the ESU’s Churchill Public Speaking Competition. The Mace team, Bee (SFC1), Immy (SFC1), Hayden (SFC1), Vivi (UC4) and Renee (LC3), have successfully made it through to the next round following their successful proposal of the motion to ban the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces.
CLC submitted two teams to the Churchill Public Speaking Competition. The first team, Toni (UC4), Ehije (UC4) and Alice (LC3) explored the idea that health is a right, not a privilege. The second team, Neriah (UC5), Evangeline (UC4) and Lina (LC3) considered NATO’s role in the world today. Both teams have successfully made it through to round two!
As a proud member of the Cheltenham Educational Partnership, CLC is also participating in the Great Debate tournament. A team of six students has begun to compete in multiple rounds, alongside fellow state and independent schools in the local area. In the most recent round, Team CLC (Emilia (SFC1), Nadia (SFC1) Mariia (SFC1), Harriet (UC5), Yara (UC4), and Jocasta (UC4) scored a point when they won as the opposition for the following motion: School boards should not be able to ban books from libraries or the curriculum.
Finally, the Autumn Term wrapped up with the Whole School Debate in the Princess Hall. Two teams of SFC1s took to the stage to debate whether historical monuments, even if controversial, should remain in place. The adjudication panel felt that the proposition (Hayden, Jasmine and Bee) won this particular debate, but congratulated the opposition for their strong case (Mofe, Immy and Emilia).
The whole school was then treated to a festive staff debate where teachers thoughtfully (and humorously!) considered if Santa Claus is a threat to national security. Whilst Madame McDonald (MFL) and Mr Forward-Davies (RS) persuaded the Floor that Santa is merely a fictive, friendly figure, ultimately Mr Padley (Sport) and Mr Gill (Chemistry) won the hearts of the judges, convincing them that Santa is a serious threat to the country’s safety.
It has been a wonderful term to kickstart another year of Public Speaking and Debating and we wish all of our competition teams the best of luck in their next rounds.
Miss Davies, Teacher of English and i/c of Public Speaking and Debating
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