On Wednesday 31st January we had great success with our Sixth-Form student debate team at the Mater Hospital, which played host to the semi-finals of the Belfast Trust Healthcare Debate Semi-Final 2024.
In order to proceed to this stage of the competition, the debate team had to enter two essays into a sift for semi-finalists. This year had the largest number of entries since the competition began, with fifteen schools entering. So our student team made it to the final four!
Aman Nisar [Debater 1], Jodie Anderson [Debater 2], Primrose McClure [Summary Speaker], Katie Sinclair and Alisha Lundy [Questioner] were arguing the proposition for the motion, “Television advertising of fast-food and alcohol should be banned.” They had to present their argument, respond to the opposition team’s questions, summarise their arguments and respond to questions from the judging panel of experienced medical professionals.
The girls were first up to speak, ready to go at 9:30am, which is always a tough ask, never mind in a competition we have never entered before. But they did phenomenally well. The judges’ feedback included praise of the variety, depth and eloquence of their arguments, how moving their summary speech was, and how natural their delivery was.
The girls won their semi-final heat against Rathmore Grammar School, and now proceed to the Final to be held at Stormont Chambers on February 28th against Campbell College.
We wish the girls the very best as they prepare for their next argument, which is to argue for criminal prosecution of healthcare professionals who make errors in their work.
We are so proud!
Miss Hanna
