ESU public speaking competition - November 2023

The regional round of the ESU Public Speaking competition was held on Monday 27 November from 5-8pm on Zoom with teams of three pitting their oracy and debating skills against other schools across the region. Calthorpe Park entered two teams of Year 11 students, with eight teams taking part. Competition was fierce with the judges commenting that the standard was unusually high this year.

The topics included the following:

• Teachers, not politicians should decide policy on the National Curriculum
• Electronic messaging is destroying true friendship
• Science is a threat to mankind
• We are far from removing the stigma surrounding going to therapy
• White lies help to keep life sweet
• One parent should stay at home to raise children

We are very pleased to say that the two teams going through to the next round are the two teams from CPS - well done to Esme, Charlotte, Imogen, Aiser, Jay and Rafi! It is the first time in four years that both teams have gone through to the next stage. The English-Speaking Union have also asked us to host the next round - the Regional Final - and we wish these students all the best for that event.