Last Friday, debating teams from Meoncross School, Boundary Oak and Portchester Community School travelled to Fareham College to take part in Suella’s annual ‘Fareham Schools Debating Competition’.
The competition saw four teams of two Year 8 pupils go head-to-head across two debates, debating under British Parliamentary Debating Rules. Suella was joined by Cllr Fred Birkett, Mayor of Fareham, to judge the competition.
The first debate saw Portchester Community School (Team 1) propose the motion ‘This House Believes Students Should Be Allowed Mobile Phones In School’, with Meoncross School opposing the motion. The second debate saw Boundary Oak propose the motion ‘This House Believes The UK Should Become A Republic’, with Portchester Community School (Team 2) opposing the motion.
After a series of passionate speeches, Suella and Cllr Birkett added up the scores and compared their thoughts on each debater’s content, style and accuracy. In the end, Rosie and Lexi from Portchester Community School were crowned the overall winners for their superb defence of the British monarchical system. A special mention was also awarded to Reuben from Boundary Oak for winning the ‘Speaker of the Day’ award.
Commenting, Suella said:
“Debating is an invaluable skill that fosters confidence, analytical skills, and public speaking, and I’m passionate about encouraging more young people in Fareham to take it up as a hobby. That’s why, for the last eight years, I’ve held my Annual Schools Debating Competition here in Fareham.
“Thank you to Fareham College for hosting us again this year and to Fareham’s Mayor Cllr Fred Birkett for judging this year’s competition with me. The quality of the debates this year was exceptional, and I applaud all of those speakers who researched, practiced, and delivered first-class speeches.
“Congratulations to all the teams who took part this year, but special mention must go to Rosie and Lexi from Portchester Community School for winning this year’s competition, and to Reuben from Boundary Oak for winning best speaker prize.
“Keep practicing your debating skills; they will help you in whichever walk of life you’re in, from around the dinner table with friends and family, to the board room at work, or in the Council Chamber, or the House of Commons.”
