Porn is a corrosive force that needs checking rapidly; Mr Trump came under fire as did Hillary Clinton; the British Government need to get a better grip on creative education in this country and far too many people are complacent and privileged.
These were the key messages delivered by pupils at Shoreham College this week when they sparred with each other in an exchange of superbly expressed arguments in the annual inter-house public speaking competition.
Nelson house battered the assembled senior school audience with terrifying facts about the effect of internet porn, which they handled with tremendous sensitivity. Grenville house lambasted the Government for its poor understanding of the power of creative arts in education. Rodney house forced the audience to consider the stifling power of privilege in society and Raleigh house unpacked the shambolic US Elections, for all to hear.
Arguments were well evidenced and skilfully delivered, impressing the visiting adjudicators.
Chairing the panel of adjudicators, Mrs Sarah Watson-Saunders, Head of English and Public Speaking at Hurst College, gave the pupils feedback at the end and announced that Grenville House had taken the day, but it was a very close call indeed as all the teams had been so very strong. She said they had been like 'Olympic Swimmers' and that it was 'hard to tell who had won, as they had been so close and the standard so high'. She also added that the speeches were thought provoking and she felt she had learned things on Tuesday morning.
Headmaster, Richard Taylor-West added: 'I was proud of all of the contestants. The standard was blisteringly good and has set the bar high for our pupils. Their understanding of their chosen topics was excellent and the points they made were mature and impactful. I wish a member of the government had been there to hear it.'