Barry Comprehensive School

The Barry Comprehensive senior and junior debating teams with teacher Sian Morgan

On Tuesday 22nd January students from Barry Comprehensive School competed in the annual English Youth Speaks Competition, hosted at Barry Comprehensive School.

The school entered three debating teams; two in the junior competition and one in the senior. The junior debaters took on the issues of vegetarianism (Ryan Harris, Lewis Williams and Joshua Schembri) and global warming as propaganda (Joe-Louis Snooks, Chris Newby and Kyle Harfoot), whilst the senior team (David Lakin, Elliott Hanson, Daniel Morgan) took on the controversial issue of reality TV.

The judges agreed that the standards were incredibly high and praised all the students for their research and humour. The senior team achieved a second place for their confident and engaging overview of the highs and lows of reality TV. The whole evening was extremely enjoyable and an excellent tribute to young people’s use of language. The pupils from Barry would like to thank Sian Morgan, their English teacher, for her role in coaching the pupils in their debating skills. Ms Morgan said,

‘What impressed me most was the way the junior and senior pupils worked together, researching their arguments and practising their presentation skills.’

The boys are now keen to develop debating further – Jeremy Paxman had better watch out!

Photos:

1. The Barry Comprehensive senior and junior debating teams with teacher Sian Morgan
2. Junior Team Ryan, Lewis & Joshua receiving their certificates from Barry Rotary Club Chairman Phil Hunt
3. Junior Team Joe-Louis, Chris and Kyle receiving their certificates from Barry Rotary Club Chairman Phil Hunt
4. Senior Team David, Elliot and Daniel receiving their certificates from Barry Rotary Club Chairman Phil Hunt