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The Debate Society has continued to grow every academic year since its birth in 2004 and this year has been no exception. 2008-9 saw a total of 10 debates and 6 external speakers and a Staff vs. Student quiz .The agenda was broad, spanning topics from “This House believes that political correctness has gone too far” to “This House believes that the UK should withdraw from the European Union” and there were specialist speaker talks ranging from the European Union to Climate Change.  The exceptional and energetic leadership of secretary, Anna McGivern, and her executive and publicity team of James Ling, Laura Davies, Sam Cooke and Pat Smith resulted in record-breaking attendances. With a maximum of 255 and an average of well over 100 students attending each debate, it must be one of the largest sixth form debate societies in the country. As ex- student and current Cambridge University Debates Team member Mary Nugent pointed out on a training visit this year, HSFC Debates have achieved attendances very near to those of Cambridge University debates! Given the vast size differences in the institutions, this clearly demonstrates the engagement of our students in current affairs and the wider community. In this supposed era of youthful apathy, “voter disengagement” and the supposed “dumbing down” of cultural life, this situation clearly doesn’t apply to our students!

 

The last debate of the year was a hotly contested affair with intellectually complex arguments presented on either side. It was made even more notable by long term member James “the Legend” Langford saying his goodbye after three years by giving a characteristically passionate speech (in full Oxford evening dress) and a guest appearance of  ex-student Dave “the Rave” Weber, who returned specially for the occasion. It has been wonderful to see our ex-students return to the events and strike up friendships with current students, and long may this tradition continue.

 

However, this year’s successful executive team have moved onto bigger things in their university careers. The reins have been handed over to the new second years who have already “cut their teeth” this year. Sean Wyer will head the team (incidentally the first male student ever to do so), and will be supported by Tom Kennedy, Jordan Ford, Alice Snowdon, Alex-Hempton Smith, Alasdair Neilson and James Johnson as the Executive.  They have a tough act to follow, but I’m sure that they will excel in the forthcoming academic year.

 

A number of events are already scheduled for next year but the majority are yet to be decided by the student committee meetings in October and March. In keeping with the continuing involvement in the wider community, a Debate will be held on the Edgar Street Grid project, where students will be able to challenge official figures involved in promoting and opposing it. Watch this space!