DEBATING

It is strange to realise that the last year of in-person competitive debate, was 5 years ago – a time when our current Upper Sixth leavers were only in B Block! But what a year it has been, with Repton Debating Society firmly establishing itself back on the competitive stage.

As always, House Debating provided an excellent opening to the year. After the initial shock of learning how to perform five-minute speeches with only 15 minutes preparation and on any conceivable motion under the sun, the competition culminated in a tight final, arguing whether a BBC-style impartiality should be imposed on all news platforms.

But this was only the start of a busy season which saw junior teams excel in their English-Speaking Union speaking competition, and the Seniors gaining their best Mace result in years, progressing to the Regional Finals. The rest of year was peppered with competitions: a successful outing at Nottingham debating competition (no, BJE, we’re never going to be able to debate again without thinking about being on the straights) and the return of the Repton Schools Debating Festival. Online debates were held for pupils from Year 7 to Sixth Form across the international Repton Family of Schools, and successes for Repton teams from the UK, Al Barsha in Dubai, and Cairo lent a truly global perspective to the debates.

But the highlight of the year was the Durham residential Debating Competition, returning in-person for the first time since 2018. Comprised of two novice teams (Elektra S and Zak W, and Charlie B and Rob J), and one Open team (Bella C and myself), heading to Durham shortly after Steeplechase meant the (many) hills were climbed with aching legs. However, the first day was successful – filled with discussions revolving around freelance work and exploitation, as well as reforms to the prison system, although it was meant to be followed by a social, but the venue was set on fire, so very unfortunately we couldn’t attend.

The next day was approached with renewed resolve, and the knowledge that Robbie and Charlie had a strong chance of breaking novice, meaning they would qualify as one of the top 8 novice teams and so enter the semifinals. After a morning spent debating ethics of MP resignation and rise of comedy news platforms,

Robbie and Charlie pulled this off, eventually progressing to the finals: an outstanding achievement.

The smooth-running of the weekend reflected the season as a whole, aided greatly by the expert guidance of JDS and BJE. This season it has been so enjoyable to return to competitive debate, and I look forward to following from afar what I am sure will be strong progress from Repton Debating in years to come.

Sophie D (U6M)