An aspiring Law student introduced the College’s very first debating society on campus, with students reaping the benefits of its success.
A2 student, Jessica Pham first came up with the idea as she shares a passion for debating and wanted to provide an opportunity for her fellow students to debate on a variety of topics. Jessica recently attended a conference in Paris where she participated in a French debate about climate change to an audience of 100 French students
The debating society has been running since October last year and open to all students but was predominately made up of Law students. The group met once a week and was overseen by the Law department.
The students mainly focused on Law-based debates as it helped with their studies and expanded their knowledge. Themes included: whether prostitution should be legalised or not, the death sentence, law and religion, is it right to smack a child, do you have the right to attack a trespasser, to name but a few.
Jessica Edson, 18 and currently studying A-level Government and Politics, Spanish and English Literature, said: “I found the debating society really helpful with my language oral exam where I had to hold a debate with my teacher in Spanish. Attending the debating society gave me the confidence to do this without struggling.”
Other students commented that the debating society had also helped improve their confidence, listening skills, make new friends and helped many of them to become more rounded individuals.
Mark Vinall, Principal of Palmer’s College said: “We are always keen to develop new opportunities for students at Palmer’s and the introduction of a student debating society is a hugely valuable addition to the extended curriculum.”
It is hoped that the debating society will continue again in September 2010.
