Chester youngsters debated hot topics as part of a competition keenly contested by local schools.
Rotary Club of Chester held its annual debates recently with competing teams taking part from Upton-by-Chester High School, The King’s School Chester, Blacon High School and The Bishops' Blue Coat CE High School.
Blacon High School Senior Team. Left to right: Hayden, Jordan and Billy.
The 'Youth Speaks' competition, organised by Chester Rotarian Pete Fryer, gives young people valuable experience in debating and public speaking and is part of a national competition Rotary Youth Speaks organised by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.
Chester Town Hall played host to the intermediate competition for a team of three young people aged 11 to 13, and the University of Chester hosted the senior competition for ages 14 to 17.
King's School Chester Intermediate Debating Team LtoR: Prisha Roy Mahapatra and Sophie Bibby with Rotary Club of Chester President, Stephen Cross.
Each team of three members comprised a chairperson to introduce and sum up the motion, a proposer speaking for the motion and an opposer speaking against the motion. The team had 15 minutes to present and were marked on delivery, the construction of their argument, their summing up and how they handled questions.
The intermediate debates were about migrants crossing the channel, banning fast and unhealthy food in schools, school uniforms and the existence of zoos. Judges included two members of Chester Speaking Club and a retired teacher.
Bishops' Blue Coat CE High School Intermediate Team.
The senior competition’s topics were whether vapes should be allowed in schools and whether obesity in children is a form of child abuse.
Judges were from the University of Chester’s social and political sciences department and included Cat Williams, a nationally recognised speaker, author and self-esteem therapist.
Rotary Club of Chester President, Stephen Cross presents certificates to Upton High School's winning Senior Debating Team from Year 12. Lto R Emily Gascoigne, Claire Stringfellow and Daisy Kepista.
Rotary Club of Chester President, Stephen Cross said: “The competition aims to offer young people the experience of speaking on a public platform as a member of a team. It also enables participants to see different viewpoints and be able to formulate ideas on topical subjects and to put these forward while being in opposition to another speaker.”
“Many previous debaters, for example, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen, Adam Sandler, Brad Pitt and Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, have gone on to amazing careers in public life but it can also be incredibly useful for anyone in any workplace or community setting.”
Upton High School's winning Intermediate Debating Team from Year 8, Sam Todd, Jamine Anglesea-Jones and Nikodem Tomaszko with Rotary Club of Chester President, Stephen Cross.
He added; “I’m sure these skills are useful immediately when negotiating bedtimes, allowance increases or ‘going out’ parameters! It helps everyone develop invaluable life skills and overcome the nerves felt when called upon to speak in public.”
Two teams from Upton High School were chosen from all the teams to represent the City at the District final in Wrexham, a real achievement in itself, but were unlucky in selection at Wrexham for the national finals in Norfolk in April.
Bishops' Blue Coat CE High School Intermediate Team.
Schools, individuals or organisations can take part next year by emailing mail@rotaryclubofchester.co.uk for more details and deadlines.
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