Top debaters battle to be number one at 2019 Wales Schools’ Debating Championships
Pupils from across the country will compete in individual and team rounds to be crowned winners of the Wales Schools Debating Championships 2019.
On Monday 16 December, four teams from Ysgol Tryfan in Bangor, Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg in Barry, Cardiff’s Cathedral School and Cardiff Sixth Form College and four individuals; Amelia, Cameron, Daniel and Alice, will meet at Tredegar House for the semi and final rounds.
The exciting range of topics to be debated on the day will include protest, equity, democracy and justice.
This is the 18th and final year of the Wales Schools Debating Championship, which has involved up to 60 schools competing each year. Last year’s team champions were Howells School in Cardiff and Arianne Banks from Stanwell School won the award for Individual Speaker.
Cardiff Sixth Form teacher and Head of Debating, Sue Clements said: “Our students have been doing the competition for 12 years because it supports thinking and speaking skills which in turn improves life chances, allowing students to get places in Universities and better jobs.
“What’s great about the Welsh Competition is that it builds confidence and lets students engage with a range of challenging topics that are relevant to today’s world.”
The WCIA team would like to thank Tredegar House for hosting and The Hodge Foundation for their support over the years.
Lydia Griffiths, Visitor Experience Officer at Tredegar House said:
“We are thrilled to be hosting the competition’s finale here at Tredegar House. The event will take place on the backdrop of our Riches and Rebellion exhibition which we launched in September, it was inspired by the 180th anniversary of the Newport Rising which saw Chartist protesters, march towards the Westgate Hotel located in the city of Newport.
“Inspired by the Six Point Charter they fought for the vote and a voice, and sadly 22 of the protestors died for what they believed in. We hope the finalists will be inspired by the history and the Chartist’s legacy, and wish them all the best in their debates and speeches.”