Pupils Participate in Globeducate Debates 2022

Once a year, Globeducate Debates gives pupils aged 10 to 18 in Globeducate schools the opportunity to pitch their ideas against an opposing team in another Globeducate school in another country. Between June 13 and 17 2022, pupils from across a wide age range and six countries are taking part in the annual pupil debate competition.

 

 

Speaking to the contentious motion, Gender inequality has not been solved, it has just changed, Annabel, Izzie and Frankie (LVI) presented their pieces with confidence, flair and passion. They made highly convincing arguments that, although laws might have changed, male attitudes, for the most part, have not. Statistics, anecdotes and carefully constructed evidence were used to good effect to persuade the opposition that women still have to work hard to attain a genuine position of equality. Agora Portals in Majorca provided very strong opposition, once again proving that debating skills are alive and kicking across the whole Globeducate group. Jury feedback provided by our former Head Pupil, Chiara Aylett, was insightful and coherent, telling the speakers what they had done well and what aspects they could improve.

Tuesday's competition saw the motion, Beauty Pageants should be banned. Much to our pupils' initial disappointment, Year 9 was assigned the against position. This is actually really good practice since it encourages speakers to play devil's advocate and put forward alternative views to their own. This they did with precision and flair. Feedback from the jury acknowledged their measured speaking speed, and a wide range of persuasive rhetorical devices. Emma, Georgina and Eve spoke with real passion and flair.

 

 

On Wednesday, Year 7 had their first taste of the Globeducate debating experience with their motion, Being an only child is better than having siblings. Again, we were assigned the against position so they had to construct convincing arguments as to why having brothers and sisters is better. Amelie, Millie and Josh spoke confidently as individuals and conveyed a clear sense that they were working together with each making separate points emphasising the fact they were working with a team ethos and strategy. Blyth Burlington, our partner school in Canada, also gave a very good account of themselves strongly supporting the motion that being on your own is best.

Throughout the week, all pupils more than proved that the future of debating, across the whole Globeducate group, is in very good hands. It has been a great week for debating at school. Years 7 to the Sixth Form proved that, at Stonar, it is a great life skill we work to develop with all ages.