This week we debated whether euthanasia should be legalized: a topical debate considering how the country’s parliament is currently considering this issue. The speakers argued convincingly for both sides; however, it was the opposition speakers of Jessica Bell and Shelby Kong who won the debate, arguing how this motion would adversely affect already marginalized groups, as well as how we should be prioritizing palliative care, not detracting from its place in the NHS. After half term we will be debating statues – particularly whether we should take down statues of people who profited from the slave trade. Our debating teams will be off to compete in our first schools’ competition soon – The Lancaster University Schools Debating Competition – so we will need all the practice we can get, ensuring that our speakers can speak for up to five minutes on any topic, either for or against. It really is one of the toughest things students can do.

 

Mr Ahern & Mr Murphy