Students speak out in great debate

YEAR 9 students have taken part in a Runcorn high school’s first interhouse debating competition.

The Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy (OBA) students had been hard at work researching and writing speeches on topics such as capping sports stars’ wages, athletes taking performance-enhancing drugs, driving with mobile phones switched on and whether school uniform should be banned.

They spent an hour debating in front of three competition judges – Mark Wyss, principal, Amy Jarvis and Allan Bird.

They were awarded marks for audibility, clarity, relevance, how well organised their arguments were, word choice and persuasiveness.

Tafari House finished first, with Nickson House second, Browne third, Cottrell-Boyce fourth and Wilson fifth.

Sheena Oulton, assistant principal, said all the pupils presented with confidence, determination and interest.

She added a special mention for Milly Ward, who stood out as the best chairperson.

The debate was organ- ised by Mr Hussey and Mrs Jarvis and supported by Mr Bird.

After the event, Mr Hussey said: “It has been great to be part of the first ever debating competition at OBA.

“Students have worked so hard to research their topics and write some excellent speeches.

“They have developed a wide range of skills including confidence, public speaking and questioning. I’m sure many of these skills will be transferable to the workplace and in lessons.

“I would like to thank everybody who took part and committed themselves to the competition.

“Thanks to our principal Mr Wyss for taking time out of his busy schedule to be a judge, and a huge thank you also to Mr Bird for his support throughout the event.”

Mrs Jarvis said: “Many of the students that put themselves forward for the competition were not, at first, the most confident of speakers.

“They took themselves out of their comfort zones and worked hard every week to prepare and successfully deliver clear, confident and articulate speeches on the day.”