Glasgow pupils win debating tournament final
Oscar Lee and Seamus McGuigan from Glasgow Academy made a
winning team as they spoke up for European politics and culture in
the final of the Donald Dewar Debating tournament in the debating
chamber at the Scottish Parliament.
The Glasgow school took the trophy for the second year running as
they saw off competition from the other three teams of finalists to
debate the motion 'This House Believes that the European Way of
Life Is Preferable to the American Dream'.
The other teams competing in the final were runners up Adam Brand
and Gavin Todd, of Craigmount High School, Edinburgh, and
finalists
* Jenny House and Ujani Basu of St Margaret's School for Girls,
Aberdeen and Michael Weir and Miriam Malek of Madras College, St
Andrews
For the 2009/2010 tournament, the Society teamed up with the
Scottish European Educational Trust to engage the schools in issues
relating to Europe.
Heather McPhee, the Society's development officer (education and
training), said: "This year we have been working with our key
partner, the Scottish European Educational Trust, to debate motions
relating to Europe. We're delighted that through this partnership
we've been able to bring issues relating to Europe to the
fore.
"It's something that the pupils themselves have been enthusiastic
about and we saw excellent debating from all four teams. The floor
debate this year was equally good - with some exceptional
contributions, including one in French."
Glasgow Academy's debating coach, Jan Fulton, said: "I am very
impressed and proud of my debaters and it's wonderful to win the
Law Society of Scotland Donald Dewar Memorial Debate for the second
year running, as Mr Dewar was a former pupil of the Academy and a
stalwart of the school's debating society. It seems fitting that
pupils from his former school should continue to follow in the
footsteps of such a skilled and eloquent orator.
"We thoroughly enjoy participating in the Law Society Debate, as it
is an extremely well organised and friendly debate and the day at
the parliament is great fun for all the pupils. The feedback the
pupils have received throughout the competition from the solicitors
who have kindly given up their evenings to judge has helped Oscar
and Seamus hone their skills immeasurably. We're already looking
forward to next year."
Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman MSP chaired the debate and
the judges were Michael Matheson MSP, Deputy Convener of the
European and External Relations Committee. Gerald Wilson, Chairman
of the Scottish European Educational Trust; Neil Stevenson, Trustee
of the English Speaking Union; Irene McGrath, Chairwoman of the
Scottish Schools International Debating Council; Jon Dye, former
Chairman, English Speaking Union
The winning team was awarded £1,000 for their school, and the
tournament trophy. The tournament is also sponsored by Simpson and
Marwick solicitors, and the Glasgow Bar Association donates the
second prize of £250 to the runner up school. Hodder Gibson
publishers donate £500 of educational books, shared by the winners
and runners up.
ENDS JUNE 2010
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact Suzy Powell on 0131 476
8115 or Tournament organiser Heather McPhee on 0131 4768203.
28 June 2010