Debating Highlights
South Hampstead debaters end the year on a high, following continued success at various competitions and events.
The half term began very well, with South Hampstead winning the cup at a friendly fixture against Channing School for Girls and City of London School for Girls, hosted by Channing. Our debaters, Nadia, Juliana and Nicole, put in a great performance.
Just one day later, we hosted our third Friendly Debating Competition of the year, with teams joining us from St. Marylebone School, Parliament Hill School and University College School for a three-round event, separated into a Junior and a Senior Competition. Michael Hepburn, our Debating Coach, judged the Senior Competition, as did our experienced judges from the English Speaking Union. We were delighted that the winning team in the Senior Competition was from South Hampstead – Jane and Nadia did a fantastic job. Another of our duos, Edie and Ahaana, took second place. We also managed to take all three prizes for the top individual speakers. In joint first place, separated by a fraction of a mark, were Juliana and Jane. In second place was Manon. In joint third place were Edie and Charlotte. These were our best results yet in the Senior Competition. In the Junior Competition, a team from St Marylebone were the very worthy winners.
Later in the term, we hosted City of London School for Girls for a friendly fixture for students in Years 7 to 9, in which our teams performed strongly. In particular, our Year 8 pair, Mehr and Jacqui, did very well to win both of their debates.
However, perhaps the highlight of this half term was the Showcase Debate, held in an assembly in front of the whole school. The debate involved two teams comprised of a Lower Sixth student, a Year 10 and a Year 9 pupil. The participants – Jane, Nadia, Edie, Juliana, Charlotte and Manon – performed exceptionally well, offering cogent arguments delivered with confidence and flair. The motion read: ‘This house regrets the rise of cancel culture’. The debate addressed the merits and drawbacks of internet-driven boycotts directed towards specific individuals, usually celebrities, for actions or statements that are perceived to be problematic. The students took on this topic with rigour and maturity, demonstrating the fantastic progress that they have made this year.
It has been a very busy year for our debaters – they have attended no fewer than nineteen formal events and trips relating to debating, including external competitions, friendlies and workshops. To celebrate their successes, all students from Year 9 upwards who have participated in an external competition this year were invited to a Celebratory Debate Dinner. This event, suggested by the students, was a lovely way to mark a fantastic year of commitment to debating. It was also a testament to the inter-year links that our Debating Clubs have fostered.
On the back of a year of successes and development, our debaters will no doubt continue to make their mark in the upcoming academic year.
Dr Kate Etheridge was appointed as Director of Debating & Public Speaking last year to champion and grow our focus on oracy and the art of debate. Earlier this year, Mrs Bingham was quoted in The Week, for her views on why debating matter more than ever.