2021 07 Primary School Debates

Rother Valley Primary Schools Debate 2021

With all school pupils directed to remain in bubbles no inter school activity has been allowed to take place for over a year. With the support of Midhurst & Petworth Rotary Club arrangements were made to hold the Rother Valley Debate involving 10 local primary schools using video conferencing technologies.

Public speaking is hard for most adults but to ask nine/ten year olds to research a subject, develop arguments either for or against and then deliver a short speech on the subject is probably one of the greatest test a nine/ten year old can be asked to perform. Each school team consists of three persons. The team captain having to sum up with an additional closing speech.

Subject matter is often chosen by the pupils beforehand. This year subjects ranged from ”This House believes that Queen Elizabeth should be the last remaining British monarch” to ”This House believes that reality television does more harm than good”.

Voting takes place both before and after each debate to determine if the listening audience has been swayed by the argumentation during the debate. It was surprising how a well- argued case influenced audience opinion.

Finally after almost three hours the teams were brought to judgement by the four adjudicators drawn from Midhurst & Petworth Rotary members plus the leader of Chichester District Council who praised all participants on their ability to present complex argumentation through quality presentations that held the attention of all those involved.

This year Joint winning teams were from Stedham and Fittleworth who will share the cup for six months each.  Fernhurst was judged runners up, coming third.

Headteacher of Easebourne Primary Johnny Culley acted as coordinator for the programme assisted by Midhurst & Petworth Rotary with technical support.

Bethany, Jacob and Ava –Joint Winning debate team from Stedham Primary

Harry Issy Abbie - Joint Winning deabate team from Fittleworth Primary