Eloquent Teenagers Triumph

After an intense evening of discussion and reasoned argument, three Year 11 students from Archbishop Beck Catholic College, in Liverpool have triumphed as debate champions of the Liverpool and Merseyside, English Speaking Unions Regional Final held at the Athenaeum Club in Liverpool. The team have not only won a place at the Final, but also captured the awards for Best Speaker, Best Chairman and Best Questioner. The ESU has been dubbed ‘the most prestigious debating competition in the country’ which has the Princess Royal as its new President. However, having staved off competition to win the event, the teams also won all other prizes on the evening. In addition to their team victory one debater, Ellis won the Molly Merivale family shield for the ‘Best Individual’ The teams chosen topic was “in today’s world, actions are stronger than Words” Following a hard fought and exciting discussion, the panel of prestigious judges went away to deliberate, with one experienced Debating judge, Judge HH Elizabeth Steel DL announcing that this: “Was the hardest decision we have had to make at a debate final due to the extremely high standards of all teams.” The judges then awarded the team the regional title. Michael Shankland, local branch chairman, said “in all the years of my involvement with this event no team has made a clean sweep of all the awards”. Headteacher, Paul Dickinson speaking after the event, said “we not only provide a strong, rigorous and successful academic curriculum but see public speaking as a very important life skill that is important to the skill base of our students. The team have done absolutely brilliantly this year – they have been really dedicated, worked hard and prepared well, we are so proud of them”.