Debate Mate Cup

On Thursday 2nd May at Middlesex University, Barking Abbey won the Debate Mate Cup! After three gruelling rounds, one of our teams not only made it to the final but won it! In the morning, our teams were boosted by the Headteachers motivational words before they left.

The first motion for the day was: 'This House believes social media makes it more difficult to become a successful musician.' The second was 'This House would introduce a three-day weekend' (very popular amongst staff and students alike!) The third motion was 'This House would give harsher punishments for celebrities who commit crimes.' After three rounds, the finalists were announced: Barking Abbey vs Kingsford Community School. The motion for the final was: 'This House believes that people should break the law to save the environment.' We were placed in proposition (arguing for), with Kingsford opposition (arguing against this motion). Our 4th summary speaker was a verbal wrecking ball, a colossus, a force to be reckoned with and, as one commentator put it, our future Prime Minister! Other judges and schools were so keen to see him speak, they were clamouring to get a front row seat, both in earlier rounds and the final itself. It truly is an amazing achievement to have won this regional trophy. Our second in five years!

Well done to all students involved, especially the winning team, who had to hold their nerve in performing in a huge lecture theatre, with a mic, in front of hundreds of people!