Debating Society

Senior Debating Society

The Debating Society has reason to look back on the past year with a reasonable degree of pride and satisfaction. Ironically, a year in which several forgotten traditions were revived began with a breaking of tradition, with the transfer of the weekly Friday debate to Thursday. Fortunately, however, this did not have a detrimental impact on the support given to our weekly debates. Indeed, audiences have continued to grow, to the extent that Room 146 may soon be unable to accommodate us.

Our debates this year covered the usual range of subjects – from politics to popular culture; from religion to school life; from the sublime to the ridiculous. The liveliness of the debates and the large numbers of boys who attended and participated are a testimony to the strength to the debating tradition in the school, the talents of the boys, and to the commitment of a very dedicated and hard-working committee. Led by the Hon. Secretary, William Glover (Y14), the committee worked hard to ensure that a full and varied programmed was delivered each term and encouraged as large a number of boys as possible to get involved.

They were also responsible for several important initiatives which have enriched the life of the Debating Society. The McCord Bell was restored to its former glory, a new Minute Book was purchased (at considerable expense), and perhaps most pleasing of all, the practice of holding regular evening debates was revived. The first of these was a very successful occasion, at which Iain Kennedy and David Cairns proposed the motion, ‘This House demands a United Ireland’. They were opposed by Aaron Jamison and William Glover who (perhaps predictably) carried the day. In addition, a new Inter-house Oratory Competition was held in honour of the Society’s founder, Mr A. L. Hawtin. Jamie Ritche of Ward came first, followed by David Noble of School House.

Finally, the year was crowned with success at the Northern Ireland Schools Debating Competition. Bangor Grammar School once again submitted two teams, one of which reached the Quarter Finals, and another, the Semi Finals. Jamie Ritchie and Matthew Baxter, however, were both selected to speak in the ‘Best Speakers’ Final’ at Stormont, which Jamie won. His speech, on the subject of Northern Ireland’s education system, as well as his debating skills, drew high praise from a distinguished panel of adjudicators. This was a fitting end to a busy year in the life of the Society. Those boys in the Upper Sixth who did so much to make it possible, and who have now gone on to further their education elsewhere, are owed an enormous debt of gratitude and will be greatly missed.

Junior Debating Society

Last year we met on Thursday afternoons for about 40 minutes after school during the second and third school terms. Such topics were discussed as town versus country, the naming of Belfast’s second airport after George Best. One of the most avid “members” of this society was Lesley, the English Department’s cleaner, who was often loitering in the wings with the duster, eager to eavesdrop on the opinions expressed by the boys. She would frequently give of her own views when the last boy had gone.

The after school sessions proved popular with those who attended but a great many more were disappointed that it clashed with some activity or other whether inside or outside school. Although lunchtime is one alternative arrangement, the argument for the later timing is twofold:1. keen debaters have more opportunity to develop their skills without the constraints of the constant comings and goings from the cafeteria; 2. we the participants can eat our lunch at the allocated time of the school day, unhurried, the way anyone else in the country expects to do.

Public Speaking Competition

The following boys have made contributions to Public Speaking in the school and have entered for the Road Safety Council’s competition: Ryan Cushley (Year 14), Andrew Clegg (Year 12), Lee Williams (Year 11), Phillip Donaldson (Year 9) and Christopher Walker (Year 8). We enjoyed the local heat at Glenlola Collegiate School on Thursday 30 November, at which Christopher Walker won the Junior section and Ryan Cushley the senior competition. Both therefore qualified for the N. Ireland final which was held in Stranmillis College on 11 December.

Both are excellent debaters and are improving in their public speaking. The latter activity requires rather more than just meaty content in a speech. I have little doubt that if our finalists had been judged on their content alone, they would have been without equal. Public Speaking for external competitions is a comparatively new concept in BGS and the poise, polish and presence of speeches and speakers are already being successfully honed. Moreover, there is increasing interest in this competition and we look forward next year to even more people coming forward.