Consummate Performers Win The Prizes!

The English Speaking Union final was won by Chew Valley School in resounding style at a hard-fought competition at Bristol Grammar School.

Competing for the Regional prize were finalists from Colston’s School, QEH and not one but two teams from Chew Valley School.  The organisers commented that this was the first time in the competition’s history that two teams from the same school had made the final!

The CVS A Team (Sophie Cotterill, Julia Lawson-Johns and Claire Hammett) spoke on the topic ‘Queen Elizabeth should be the last British monarch’ whilst the B Team (George Merriott, Duncan Salkovskis and Lydia Sinclair) discussed the subject: ‘Public figures are entitled to private lives’.

‘The quality of the competition was outstanding,’ commented headteacher, Mark Mallett.  ‘Our speech-makers, George and Sophie, did a superb job with carefully researched, elegantly and wittily constructed argument and impassioned delivery.  The questioners, Duncan and Claire were perceptive and critical listeners who engaged the speakers in well-mannered but rapier-like cross-examination.  Both teams were urbanely chaired by Julia and Lydia respectively.’

The CVS A Team won the final and also took the prize for best questioner.  The CVS B Team were highly congratulated and took the prize for best chairperson.  It was a superb result and richly deserved.