Our pupils have enjoyed a series of quizzes, debates and challenges this Christmas term, organised in year group bubbles.
Debating
The Debating Society returned to socially distanced, face to face debating in September, with pupils tackling topical, controversial and sometimes satirical topics to develop their research, debating and public speaking skills.
An Inter-House Debating Competition was also launched in year group bubbles, with each House competing to win the coveted ‘Inter House Debating Cup’, currently held by The Manor (Junior) & The Grove (Senior).
Motions included 'This House Believes We Impose a Second National Lockdown', 'This House Believes Veganism be Banned' and 'This House Regrets the Rise of Social Media as a Primary Source of News Media'.
The first year group to compete were Fourth Form, followed by the Upper Sixth in the second half of term. Fourth Form demonstrated high levels of style and reasoning and the Upper Sixth Form speeches were thorough and well-informed.
Currently, after the Fourth Form and Upper Sixth Inter-House debating competitions, the league table is as follows:
1st - Temple
2nd - Queen's
3rd - School House
The competition will carry on next half term with the Fifth Form. The House with the most wins after all year groups have competed will receive the cup!
The Challenge
The ‘Challenge’ returned to the Upper Sixth bubble before October half term. Joint teams of general knowledge fanatics from across the Houses met to battle it out on Tuesday lunchtime.
The event was quiz-mastered by members of staff including Mr Stephens, Mr Taylor and Miss Jones with guest appearances from Mr Walker. After the Grand Final, the Upper Sixth Form winners were Queen's and Temple.
The Fifth Form took on 'The Challenge' after half term, concluding with a nail-bitingly close Fifth Form Final which was won by Hope and Clifton who scored 210 points. Manor & Queen's scored 170 and School & Rise 120.
The pupils demonstrated very impressive levels of general knowledge and it was great to see many individuals, who would never usually compete, taking part. Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to the Quiz Masters.
Staff vs Monitors
To celebrate the end of the Christmas Term, Upper Sixth Form pupil Olly Tomalin organised the annual Staff vs Monitors debate. This year, teams of Monitors, Heads of House and Heads of School were involved, with the staff team taking the lead in the final against the Monitors.
Olly said: "It was good to have some competition between the pupils and staff. It's a shame we couldn't win but it was all good fun!"
