Rotary Youth Speaks Competition

Seven school teams entered the Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition held at Belmont School recently. Belmont Academy, Kyle Academy, Queen Margaret and Wellington School each represented the seniors category, which is for ages 14 to 17, with Kyle submitting two teams. The other intermediate category, for 11 to 14 years of age, received entries from Kyle Academy and Wellington School.

The premise for each team of three pupils is a free subject choice for which there is a proposer and an opposer. Three independent judges, each from an educational background, measured delivery, manner and control of debate, process and summary. The pupils from each school demonstrated thorough understanding and research of their topics, showing professionalism and confidence on stage, in front of a large audience.

Kyle Academy Seniors (team 1) proposed; Scottish Prisons; Is it time to change the system?

Belmont Academy Seniors proposed; Is protesting the best way to achieve social justice?

Kyle Academy Seniors (team 2) proposed; Should AI be embraced?

Wellington School Senior, proposed; Fictional media promotes harmful ideologies

Queen Margaret Academy Senior, proposed; Scotland is a country stuck in a rut

Wellington School Intermediates proposed; Every child in the UK should be screened for neurodiversity

Belmont Academy Intermediates proposed; Is foul language really that bad?

After careful deliberation and consideration, the judges who comprised Paul Williams (head judge), Eileen Haddow and Angela Cassidy, made their decision. Kyle Academy Seniors team 2 and Queen Margaret Academy went through to the Rotary District heats in Glasgow as did Kyle Academy Intermediates and Wellington School Intermediaries.

Douglas Haddow delivered a humorous and grateful vote of thanks to all participants, Belmont Academy for the use of their assembly hall and all who attended in the audience.