Menu

Success for SCD students at English Speaking Union Competition

Congratulations to Year 11 students who gave a great performance on Tuesday 29th January, when St Clement Danes School hosted the branch heats of the English Speaking Union Competition. Our students spoke with great eloquence and the judges awarded our teams 1st and 2nd place in the competition. The standard of the event was extremely high, and our students should be proud of their achievement.

Each team consists of three students - a Chairperson, a Questioner and a Speaker. Each role demands different but complementary skills.

The winning team was Milo (Chairperson), Alexander (Speaker ) and Louis, the questioner. Their subject was 'Is crowd funding the way forward for our business community?'

Runners up were Samantha (Chairperson), Darcy (Speaker) and Francesca (Questioner). Their subject was 'Children would be more creative if they didn't have to  go to school.'

The speaker talks on a pre-agreed topic for a maximum of five minutes. During that time they must articulate their argument and demonstrate a wide knowledge of their subject. The questioner then takes over, challenging the speaker on points within their speech or seeking clarification or further details. The chairperson's role is to open and close proceedings, introduce their team, manage questions from both the questioner and the audience, and keep things running to time.

During each round of the competition, the Chairperson and Questioner from one school were randomly selected to present with the Speaker from another school.

Thanks to Year 13 student Maxwell Duncan, who along with English teachers, Ms Heatley and Mrs McLetchie-George, assisted the students in preparing for the competition.

The next round of the competition is the East Regional Final, which will be held on Saturday 16th March 2019 at Magdalene College, Cambridge. We wish our students continued success at the next round of the competition. Well done!

To find out more information about the English Speaking Union Competition please follow the links below; 

https://www.esu.org/our-work/public-speaking-competition

https://twitter.com/esudebate?lang=en

 

 

 

 

 

Categories

Category / All Articles

Archives

Also Featured

26th February

Celebrating our inclusion in National Top 200 Sporting schools list

We are proud to announce our inclusion in the prestigious list of the top 200 sporting schools in the country, achieving an impressive 62nd place ranking nationally. This recognition, recently highlighted by the Watford Observer, places the school among the elite educational institutions for sporting achievement in the United Kingdom. The "Top 200" list is compiled annually by School Sport Magazine, which utilises a rigorous methodology to determine the most successful schools across the nation. Unlike subjective polls, these rankings are based purely on performance in national competitions. The magazine analyses results across more than 20 different sports and over 120 different national competitions, awarding points based on how far a school progresses. Particular weight is given to reaching the final stages of prestigious national cups and championships, meaning the list serves as a direct reflection of a school’s competitive reach and its ability to succeed at the highest levels of school sport. Our climb to the 62nd spot this year is a direct result of several standout performances on the national stage across a variety of disciplines. Our Senior Girls reached the ESFA Football National Semi-Finals, showcasing incredible teamwork and skill against the best in the country. Our golfers also excelled on the national stage, finishing as National Finalists ranked number 9 in the country in the English Schools’ Team Championship. Additionally, the Inter Boys squad demonstrated exceptional talent and athleticism by qualifying for the National Track & Field Final, while the U16 Boys’ determination saw them progress deep into their season to reach the National Vase Regional Final. These milestones represent countless hours of training, immense dedication from both pupils and staff and a tenacious competitive spirit that defines the St Clement Danes community. While the school is incredibly proud of these elite achievements and our high standing in the national rankings, we recognise that these statistics only tell part of the story. Our core values are built on the belief sport extends far beyond the trophy cabinet or a leaderboard. Our focus remains firmly on participation as well as performance, ensuring our programme is inclusive, meaningful and accessible for all, not just those competing at the highest level.  Sport is for all, and whether a pupil is representing the school in a national final or discovering a lifelong passion for physical activity in a lunchtime club, our goal is to create a culture where every pupil feels empowered to stay active. We remain committed to providing a diverse range of opportunities that cater to all abilities, ensuring every pupil can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of sport.  Congratulations to all our pupil-athletes, coaches and supportive parents who have helped make this national recognition possible.