On Friday morning, debating teams from Cams Hill School, Boundary Oak School and Portchester Community School gathered at Fareham College to take part in Suella’s annual Fareham Schools Debating Competition.
Teams formed of two Year 8 pupils went head-to-head in twenty-minute debates under British Parliamentary Debating Rules. The competition was judged by Suella, Cllr Michael Ford the Mayor of Fareham, and Andrew Kaye Principal and CEO of Fareham College.
A range of topical and thought-provoking issues were passionately argued by the four teams. The motions saw students delving into the ethics of re-writing classic children’s books and questioning the practicalities of fining households for wasting food.
The panel of judges were extremely impressed by the standard of the competition and the deep level of research that had gone into prepping for the debates.
After intense debates, followed by careful consideration from the judges, Boundary Oak School students Tilly and Natasha were announced as the overall winners of the competition. Tilly and Natasha scored the most points for their debate, opposing the motion ‘This House Believes Fines Should be Implemented for Households Wasting Food’.
Commenting, Suella said:
“I was delighted to host my Annual Schools Debating Competition at Fareham College again this year. We had some great debates which students had clearly spent a lot of time researching and preparing for.
“Debating is an important life skill and events like this can be a great opportunity for young people to fall in love with this art. I started debating at a similar age to the students who took part in the competition and certainly learnt a great deal from my early years of debating which is why I am so pleased to host this event each year.
“My congratulations to Natasha and Tilly from Boundary Oak for winning the competition. They orated clearly, articulately and slowly, made a well-informed and convincing case for their position, and responded intelligently to their opposition’s arguments. A further well done to Tilly and Portchester Community School Student, Holly, for winning the Speakers of the Day award.
“Thank you to Fareham Borough Council Mayor Cllr Mike Ford and Fareham College Principal Andrew Kaye for judging the competition. My thanks also to Fareham College for hosting us again and for helping the event run smoothly.”
