JAGS Team Wins SSLP Debating Competition
Last week JAGS hosted and took part in the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership day long debating competition. It was a great day run by debating experts, Debate Mate, and supported by the Worshipful Company of International Bankers. Eight local schools took part; Charter School, Harris Boys Academy, Dulwich College. Ark Globe Academy, Kingsdale School, St Saviour’s & St Olave’s School and St Michael’s College.
The teams were given a challenging set of questions to debate including music promotes criminal activity, humans should relocate to Mars as climate change response and we should adopt a universal language.
Against some tough competition, JAGS team, Qi Qi, Emily, Beatrice (all year 7), Fareedah (year 11) and Daisy and Esme (year 12), found themselves in the final against St Michael’s College. It was a fiercely fought final debate so JAGS were delighted when they were declared the winners.
“The debating competition was a compelling opportunity to be able to address and explore a wide variety of subjects. It was also a brilliant opportunity for development of critical thinking, as many of the motions that my team proposed were not ones that we personally agreed with. I thought the motions were very well selected, as they were unusual and challenging. They weren’t similar to any I’d been set before, hence the opportunity to think broadly and critically on topics that I wouldn’t ordinarily talk about. I also enjoyed being able to interact with a range of speakers from different schools and age groups, as everybody had something to contribute.” Daisy Year 12
“The SSLP debating competition was a fantastic event and I absolutely loved taking part. All of the motions argued were very thought-provoking and with excellent feedback from the Debate Mate judges, the team certainly learnt a lot throughout the day! Winning the competition felt amazing, but I think my favourite part of the day was being able to connect with other students from different schools – I left having made many new friends!” Esme Year 12
