Speaking Up, Speaking Out
Debating at South Hampstead continues to gather momentum this term with more competitions, activities and events to help pupils become confident communicators and critical thinkers, engendering a culture where speaking up and speaking out is actively encouraged.
Following our inaugural debating workshop earlier this term, with English Speaking Union (ESU) mentors and a number of local schools, we held our first friendly competition last month. In the Juniors section, we entered three teams to debate alongside pupils from JFS, St. Marylebone and UCS.
Congratulations to the winning team, South Hampstead 2 (Manon and Margot) who won all three of their debates. The runners-up were St. Marylebone 1 and South Hampstead 3 (Anna, Jennifer and Maia) who won two of their debates.
In the Senior Competition, South Hampstead competed against JFS, Eastbury, Claremont and UCS, with an excellent UCS team claiming victory. Runners-up were South Hampstead 1 (Jane, Nadia and Beatrice), South Hampstead 2 (Phoebe, Edie and Libe) and Eastbury 2, who all won two of their three debates.
Every South Hampstead team won at least one of their debates, including our Year 7 team of Olivia, Sofia-Luna and Sophia. The girls performed brilliantly, as did Petra, Amelia, Jocelyn, Isobel and Nina, in their roles as judges of the Junior Competition.
Dr Etheridge was appointed as Director of Debating & Public Speaking earlier this year, to champion and grow our focus on oracy and the art of debate. We now run compulsory internal contests for all pupils in Years 7 to 10, as well as the Junior School, and a busy schedule of inter-school fixtures and external competitions. Two of our Sixth Formers recently qualified for the second round of the ESU Debating Mace, while a team of Year 7s took part in a fun Harry Potter themed competition with Debate Mate last month.
In 2019, girls will take part in many more local, national and international contests, as well as inter-house debates, a Sixth Form public speaking competition, a staff vs students showcase debate, and form time mini-debates and oracy activities.