St Gabriel’s Go Through to Finals’ Day!

On Friday evening, the St Gabriel’s Debating Team set off to St Edwards’ School in Oxford to take part in the regional round of the Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition. Fifty-two teams were competing for seven places at Finals’ Day in the Oxford Union. This is the largest British parliamentary debating competition in the UK. About 700 schools take part and 100 go through to the Finals’ Day, which this year will be held on 11 March. 

Our four teams took part in two debates each competing with schools such as Radley, Wellington College and Cheltenham Ladies. The second debate’s motion “This House would not provide development aid to countries that routinely violate human rights” resulted in some really fierce debating. At the end of a very demanding evening, the seven teams that would go through to Finals’ Day were announced, and we were absolutely thrilled to hear that St Gabriel’s A team had come second across the whole competition; St Gabriel’s B team came fourth. The girls debated brilliantly to achieve these positions and are very excited to be debating at the Oxford Union in March. Following their success in this regional heat, Zara W, Oluchi A, Emily W and Stephanie W will be representing St Gabriel’s in this prestigious competition.

We wish the girls every success.