Noticias de la Cámara
Laude debating competition
15/06/2017
On Thursday 8th June, 29 Spanish and other international students came together for the first debating competition to be held across the Laude Group of schools in Spain.
The event took place at Laude Fontenebro School in Moralzarzal, Madrid, one of the seven schools in Spain and the competition included 7 rounds of debating, where pupil teams took part in the debates. The topics were interesting and varied and included from Laude San Pedro International College, Aida Benet, Sammy-Lee van den Berg, David Racovita and Ilan Sasson, accompanied by Mr Marcos. The students demonstrated great skills not only in their confidence in public speaking but also in their use of English in the 30 minute sessions.
Laude San Pedro won two of these debates and Ilan Sasson was given a special commendation for his sharp and convincing debating skills. Well done Ilan and well done Aida, Sammy-Lee and David for your hard work in preparation for these debates!
All the students taking part had a very exciting day and the judges were very impressed by the standards.
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Background Information
The idea was initiated by teacher of English at Laude Newton College, Alicante, Jim Woods who explained, “Many years ago I was involved in my school "Literary and debating" society. This instilled in me a sense of being able to stand up in public and present ideas and arguments with confidence, something that has helped me not only for work but also in other areas of life. At the very heart of a debating society is the passion for debating, freedom of speech and critical thought which gives more confidence an improvement in public speaking and sharper analytical thinking skills”.
Mr Woods introduced a dramatic society at Newton College which enabled students develop debating skills which helped them to prepare for the oral work involved in the Cambridge and IB examinations, as well as providing an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of new subjects.
As part of the 25th Anniversary year at Newton College who are celebrating excellence in education, the idea of a debating competition between students of the Laude Schools has been introduced and after many weeks of preparation, these students are now ready to take part and to show their debating skills and confidence in public speaking to a wider audience.
Organiser of the Group-wide competition, Mr Gavin Bunker, Deputy Head at the Palacio de Granda School in Oviedo said, “We are delighted that our students will have the opportunity to meet their peers and have friendly debates on some very interesting topics. After all, these are the citizens of tomorrow and our aim as a school is to prepare them for life beyond the classroom and for their future career paths and, most importantly, to develop these skills in English as well as in Spanish".
The students will travel together with 8 members of staff from, Jerez, Oviedo, Vila-Real, Elche, Marbella and Lliber (Alicante) to join the team at Moralzarzal.
The judging panel will include representation from The International Schools Partnership (ISP) who have fully endorsed the competition and hope that this will become an annual event in Spain as well as introducing this idea to other schools within their global group.
Colegios Laude form part of the ISP portfolio of schools around the world. The high standard of education provided will be demonstrated not only in the debating skills of these students, but will also be evidence of the holistic approach to education that is at the heart of every ISP school.
Confidence, maturity, the development of enquiring minds, an excellence in English and opportunities to share experiences with their peers are all aspects of the inspirational, educational provision for all students in the Laude Schools of Spain.
