Thirlestaine Park Care Home
College pupils enjoyed meeting the new residents at the home which opened during the year. They learned about modern day care for the elderly, including those who suffer from dementia. Most of the time was spent speaking to the residents. The staff and pupils enjoyed talking to them and taking an interest in the activities that they had been doing during our visits, including painting and playing music. Hopefully the residents from Thirlestaine Park will be able to visit College in 2015‑2016.
Mr James Stubbert
Debating Debating had a full and successful year, with several major events. At the beginning of November, College held its inaugural Model United Nations event in TLG. With each House representing a country, the delegates gathered to negotiate a response to the spread of Ebola. After long consideration and much debate, consensus was reached and the delegates passed the resolution. Involving over 50 pupils from all years in the school, it was heartening to see so many so thoughtfully engaged in politics and public speaking. Special mention should go to Charlie
The motion debated in February 1890 was: ‘That the construction of a Channel Tunnel or Bridge would be injurious to the interests of the British nation’. It was passed by a small majority. [The Cheltonian, 1890, p.34] ‘Owing to the Great European War, which broke out in August 1914, the Debating Society at first ceased to meet for about twelve months, chiefly because nearly all the speakers left to take up Military Service.’ [Debating Society Minute Book I, p.366] Having returned from Shrewsbury, there was a joint debate with The Cheltenham Ladies’ College in the Neame Room, followed by refreshments in the Boyle Room. ‘It was generally considered that the whole affair had been most successful and ought to be repeated.’ [Debating Society Minute Book II, p281; The Cheltonian, 1940, p.279]
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The Cheltonian 2014-2015
Brooksbank (L6, L), Emily Morton (L6, Ch), Abigail Aitkin (3rd, Ch), Ben Schallamach (4th, BH) and Neil Hacker (L6, H) who were commended for their excellent contributions and won valuable points for their House towards the House Academic Shields. The second highlight in the debating calendar was the English Speaking Union Schools’ Mace debating competition, which College hosted at the end of November. The College team of Antonia Stuckey (L6, Q) and Katherine Stanton (L6, A) were joined by five schools, Stroud High School, Marling, Cheltenham Bournside School & Sixth Form Centre, Cotswold School and The Cheltenham Ladies’ College (CLC), for an evening of high-level debate on a range of challenging topics from the place of alternative therapy in the NHS to inheritance tax. Hosted, chaired and timed entirely by the Debating Society, it was a wonderful evening, showcasing talent from a wide diversity of schools. College was doubly pleased and proud to be selected alongside CLC to progress to the next round where our team was nobly beaten by CLC in a closely-fought contest. February saw the Debating Society competing in and hosting both rounds of the Davies and Partners’ Gloucestershire Schools’ Debating Competition. In the first round, Harry Ferris (L6, H) and Anne-Marie Bowring (L6, Q) competed with gusto in the debate: this House believes that if you are old enough at 16 to marry and join the army, you should have the right to vote at 16 as well. Facing fierce competition from local schools (CLC, St Edward’s School, Cheltenham, Cotswold School, Crypt School and King’s Gloucester), we were knocked out. However, we were very proud to host the fantastic final which saw Cotswold School going on to beat CLC. As part of the Lower Sixth Leadership Programme, each student was given the task of
delivering a presentation to their tutor group on ‘their inspiration’. The winning presentations went forward to the Presentation Final in front of the Third Form and a judging panel. The audience were treated to a range of interesting and thought-provoking presentations from Charlie Brooksbank, Annabella Köhler, (L6, Ch), Marco Rodriguez-Novas Puls (L6, NH), Araminta Lawson-Smith (L6, Ch) and Bertie Bent (L6, NH). However, first place was awarded to Izzi Winstanley (L6, Q) for her beautifully-crafted speech: ‘Pit Boy’ ‑ the inspirational story of her grandfather. Second and third places were awarded to Ashley Yu (L6, W) and Katy Stanton respectively. Finally, Modern Foreign Language students were also involved in debating against local schools. Boo Bruce-Smith (U6, Q) and Genevieve James (L6, Q) did especially well to win the regional round of Les Joûtes Oratoires inter-school debate, beating CLC in the final. Of course, Debating Society took place every Monday through the Autumn and Spring Terms with a strong and enthusiastic body of pupils from the Fourth Form to the Upper Sixth. Other than short-prep, fun and formal debates, favourite oratory challenges included ‘Just a Minute’ and ‘Would I Lie to you?’ With such a hearty ‘house’ of members, Debating Society can look forward to another year of rigorous and vigorous debate!
Miss Jane Brodigan