Today, our Lower School pupils in Year 7 and Year 8 took part in a thrilling Interhouse Debate Contest, showcasing their public speaking skills, quick thinking, and persuasive arguments. The event brought together our three Lower School Houses - Olympians, Spartans, and Titans - in a spirited battle for debating glory.
Hosted in front of a supportive audience and judged by Year 12 pupils, the competition challenged pupils to debate three thought-provoking motions:
- The internet has been a bad thing overall
- It is ok to lie
- It is better to be popular than it is to be clever
Each round began with pupils delivering 60-second speeches either for or against the motion, followed by an open-floor debate. Pupils were judged on clarity, use of evidence, and the strength of their persuasion. The level of engagement, confidence, and critical thinking from our Lower School debaters was truly impressive.
For the final motion - ‘it is better to be popular than it is to be clever - arguments ranged from the benefits of influence and leadership through popularity, to the long-term value of being clever and captivating audiences.
After a close and competitive series of debates, it was Olympians who emerged victorious - winning the competition by just one point over their rivals. The narrow margin reflected the high standard across all teams, with Spartans and Titans putting forward powerful performances.
This event not only celebrated teamwork and house spirit, but also developed key skills such as public speaking, active listening, and reasoned argument; all of which are essential beyond the classroom.
Congratulations to Olympians and their winning representatives – Lili Baietta, K Pivonka, and A Williams - and to every pupil who stepped up to speak. You represented your Houses brilliantly and made it a truly memorable day for Lower School debating.
