Public Speaking & Debating
The Debating Society is a popular and long-standing extra-curricular activity at St Edward’s. Pupils of all ages are very welcome to participate, both as speakers and members of the audience.
The motions presented for debate are wide-ranging, frequently topical and always of interest to the pupils themselves, who suggest ideas for discussion at weekly lunchtime meetings.
Debates are organised along fairly formal lines, but the atmosphere is lively, friendly and fun. The Society offers pupils an excellent opportunity to build confidence and improve oratory skills in a warm and welcoming environment, and many attend regularly to enjoy the challenge of verbal battle with their peers.
The Debating Society also takes part in a number of local and national competitions, often with great success. An Upper School team is entered every year for the Mace Debating Competition, while the Middle School team represents the College in the English Speaking Union’s Public Speaking Competition. Recently, we have been able to extend competition entry to the Lower School, with pupils taking part in the Merseyside Soroptomists’ Public Speaking tournament. We also regularly enter the Catenian Association’s Public Speaking Competition.
In 2008, the Liverpool Law Society launched its own competition with a legal twist to coincide with Capital of Culture Year, and a Middle School team from the College triumphed in the final, held in the Council Chamber at Liverpool Town Hall.