Pupils from John of Gaunt School were the big winners at this year’s Young Voice of Trowbridge speaking competition, which was hosted at St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge.
Teams of students from Years 8, 10 and 13 came together from Clarendon Academy, John of Gaunt and St Augustine’s schools to debate a number of different questions, including Is the Magna Carta relevant today?
Peter Addington, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, Jo Trigg, head of marketing the Consortium, Dr Andy Thompson, Bath University lecturer, and historian Sean McGlynn judged the competition.
Jennifer Polledri, chair of Trowbridge in Bloom, which organises the event, said: “The competition enabled the young people to research, synthesise and present their thoughts and proposals coherently in public with exceptional results.
“All students approached their topics with confidence, authority and well supported opinions.”
John of Gaunt won the Year 8 and Year 10 sections at the event on February 12, as well as being awarded the overall winner of the competition, while Clarendon Academy won the Year 13 section.
Teacher Louise Hamilton, who coached the John of Gaunt pupils with fellow teacher Catherine Parkes, said: “We are absolutely delighted to do so well. They all worked so hard and it was great to see how far they had come.
“Some of those taking part were quite insecure at the beginning and not very confident speaking in front of people, but the journey they have come on has been incredible.”
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