Monday evening witnessed a feast of fantastic debating. In the early part of the evening, two teams participated in the ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition online first round heat, taking part in four matches. Grace C addressed the topic of always forgive your enemies, whilst Izzy D’A spoke about whether we need, or should avoid, boredom. Jemima P and Tilly C took on the role of Chair and Lewis H and Kitty R that of Questioner. Gresham’s A – Grace, Lewis and Jemima – progress to round 2, though both teams were excellent, especially as they were all novices in this competition.   

This was followed by an outstanding Sixth Form Inter-House Debating Final contesting the motion, This House Would ban dating and relationship-based reality TV. Arkell (Toby R, Cerys D and Toby M) proposed with Farfield in opposition (Bill M, Pablo B-G and James C). There was nothing between the two evenly matched teams, but Farfield just edged it on their response as a team to questions from the floor. This is Arkell’s best performance in the competition so far, but it is Farfield who lift the Marsham Debating Cup for the first time since 2009.

On Thursday evening, another Sixth Form team journeyed to Norwich High School for Girls where they participated in the first round of the ESU Mace Debating competition. The team – Sophie G, Cerys D and Pablo B-G – opposed the motion This House Would impose a tourism tax in major cities facing overtourism. Pullo W also served as timekeeper for the event and Sophia L travelled as a reserve. Although the team performed very well, they were on this occasion beaten by even better teams, though all five thoroughly enjoyed an excellent event.