Youngsters put their debating skills to the test at Rotary event
Youngsters put their debating skills to the test for ‘Rotary Youth Speaks’ debating competition at Cannock Chase High School on Monday, 3 February.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Cannock, this year there were entries from three local schools. The host school Cannock Chase High School entered a team in the senior’s competition, for students aged 14-17 years old, alongside teams from Chase Grammar School and Kingsmead School.
In the Intermediate event for students 11-13 years old, Penkridge Middle school competed a team from Kingsmead School.
The debating competition challenges public speaking and debating abilities and performance, persuade, and entertains the audience with their display of knowledge of a topic of their choosing. In teams of three, they argue for and against their chosen topic. They present structured arguments and rebuttals before taking a question from the audience.
Participants can select a topic that is important to them, allowing them to delve deep into research, formulate ideas, and expand their knowledge. Taking part helps build self-confidence and develop public speaking skills, including how to keep an audience engaged.
The competition was judged by a panel chaired by Elizabeth Partington, Lisa Bramwell from Wolverhampton University and Martin Thornley chief executive from Stafford & Cannock League of hospital friends’ charity.
The competition was overseen by Rotarian John Winter assisted by Rotarian Malcolm Hill Chair Youth Services team, timekeeper Rotarian Bill Evans and questioner Rotarian Colin Sutton
This year winning team in the Intermediate group from Kingsmead School debating the topic ‘Should mobile phones be allowed in school’ were Harry Luke, Louie Ross and Martha Seymour.
The winner in the Seniors Group from Cannock Chase High School debating the topic ‘Stem Cell Research were Max Pearson, Konain Khurram and Rashini Ruatanpathirana.
Both winning teams will receive a £50 donation from Rotary to school funds and will represent Cannock at the district competition to be held later this month. The ‘Maurice Partington Cup’. for the best speaker, went to Konain Khurram from Cannock Chase High School.
Other topics debated included ‘A.I. Force for good or evil, Prisoners with mental illness should be pardoned for their crimes’ and ‘Should all ages have the same minimum wage.
Chairperson of the judging panel Elizabeth Partington said: “It gave me great pleasure to award the Maurice Partington cup to Konain who was the overall winner of the Youth Speaks competition. This competition is an excellent opportunity for young people from different schools to debate on a variety of subjects in front of an audience. The standard was exceptionally high and I offer my congratulations to all who took part”
The Rotary Club of Cannock is planning on holding this event again next year, if you wish to take part, please consider contacting the club through their webpage.
For more information about The Rotary Club of Cannock visit cannockrotary.co.uk or follow them on Facebook.
