Pupils talk a great game at debating event
PUPILS at Oban High School were involved in a debating tournament this week involving topical issues such as whether Britain should remain in or leave the European Union.
In the end, it was a group of Diarmid girls who won the competition – Morven MacFarlaneDonald, Sarah Carlin and Bronwen Davies. They argued that money plays too big of a part in American politics.
Ossian and Somerled went head to head, with the former arguing the case for Britain to leave the European Union.
The panel of judges – Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell, Jim Fraser from Oban Speakers Club, and Frank Walton and Iain MacIntyre from Oban Rotary Club – also chose Sarah Carlin as the best overall speaker, with Ross Cameron making the best contribution from the floor.
Mr Russell said: ‘I was really impressed with the high quality shown by the young people.
‘One of the most difficult things to do is to stand up and talk in front of everyone you know.
‘Sarah is a natural talent and I am sure she will go on to do something that uses those skills, perhaps even politics.’
Clare Bryden, an English teacher who helped to organise the event, said: ‘I think it’s vitally important for pupils to engage with what is happening in the world. I don’t want any of them to think that they can’t make a difference.
‘It opens them up to critical thought and a real level of debate. This year was amazing.’