Talking the Talk with RGS Debating
This was a very busy and exciting term for the Debating Society, with debaters from RGS Worcester representing the School in many competitions and the return of the popular House Debating Competition.
The season started in earnest with pupils in Year Eleven – Hannah Agoston, Joseph Kington and Orla Hession-Wilson – building on their success in the Michaelmas Term in the ESU Schools’ Mace. They faced challenging competition in Round Two but progressed to the Regional Final in Cardiff by successfully arguing that the House of Lords required reform. They worked incredibly well as a team, putting the issue beyond any doubt.
RGS debaters also maintained their strong record in the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Debating Competitions, with Callum Lockett finishing among the top ranked speakers at the Cambridge Schools Regional Qualifier and all teams achieving strong finishes in their debates.
RGS also hosted Round Two of the prestigious, ESU Public Speaking Competition; the largest competition of its kind in the country. Up and coming debaters in Year Ten – Sienna Heath, Anya Wood and Isabel Pottinger – spoke remarkably well, delivering assured, engaging performances to a live audience and representing the School as mature, enthusiastic and intelligent students.
The Lent Term also saw the return of the House Debating Competition, with mass participation across the whole RGS Debating Society. This was an opportunity for new debaters to practise the oracy and debating skills they have learned in a competitive environment and for more experienced debaters in the Seniors to refine their skills. This term, the RGS Debating Society has continued to offer valuable opportunities for students to develop their oracy skills and it is wonderful to see so many developing into confident, articulate and knowledgeable debaters. My thanks to the pupils for their commitment and hard work in Debating and to the teachers who have assisted in developing their skills and accompanying them to the competitions.
Mr Bennet Ager, Head of Debating
