Debate Mate: The Power Of Voice

Over the last year, students from Hatch End High School have been participating in the Debate Mate programme. The aim of Debate Mate is to elevate a child’s listening and public speaking skills, whilst improving non-cognitive abilities such as confidence, teamwork and leadership. On Thursday 22nd March, thirteen Hatch End students from Years 9 and 10 participated in Debate Mate’s regional cup final at Westminster Kingsway College. Students competed in two teams of six, participating in three different rounds of debates against twenty different teams. Students had to debate an array of topics, ranging from extending membership of the UN’s Security Council to building houses on Greenfield sites.

After all three rounds, Hatch End Team 1 were announced as one of the top two teams of the day. The students were then given 15 minutes to prepare their proposition argument to the statement, ‘This House believes that social media has had a detrimental impact on society.’ Team 1 produced a well-reasoned and confident argument, gaining high marks for content, style and structure, resulting in them winning the regional competition. Students were presented with individual medals and a regional cup trophy. Winning the regional competition is a huge achievement and the students should be extremely proud of themselves.

The students will now participate in the Debate Mate Grand Final, competing against winning regional teams across the country. Hatch End students will lead on organising their own Debating Club and teaching their newly acquired skills to Year 7 and 8 students.

Hatch End High wishes the team the best of luck in the Debate Mate Grand Final.

Miss Ervin