Music at St Columba's - St Columba's School

2 | sChooL NeWs THE COLUMBAN ISSUE 28
The Future of Debating at St Columba’s
When current SVI pupils Megan Girdwood, Rebecca Meredith,
Hannah Reilly and Andrew Beverstock first got involved
in the discipline six years ago debating barely existed at
St Columba’s. Since then they have given up countless hours
to prepare for and travel to debates, as well as to training
the next generation of debaters. I am particularly grateful to
Megan, who has run a first year debating club with Rebecca
this year, and to Hannah for helping when she could.
The final three competitions of the year were very successful
for our pupils. At Edinburgh University Schools’ Competition
Megan Girdwood and Rebecca Meredith were the top team on
the tab and were then runners-up in the final. Calum MacEwen
(SV) and Elliot Gemmell (SIV) finished in the top ten teams.
In the Durham Union Society’s Schools’ Competition, in which
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Mr Keith Wilson of Smiths of Greenock
presented the successful candidates with
their awards at Assembly on 21 March,
and recounted his experiences of his own
DofE hike. As a former recruiter for the
British Airways Graduate scheme, he
shared with the pupils what he had been
looking for in a potential candidate –
academic success coupled with common
sense, decency, organisational skills and
an ability to work as part of a team – all
skills encouraged by the DofE award.
more than 200 teams take part from across the UK, Rebecca
and Megan were 3rd on the tab before again finishing
runners-up in the final. An excellent performance from
two very talented debaters.
In a new competition run by Georgie Barker from George
Heriot’s School, a pro-am in which an experienced debater
partners a novice debater, Rebecca partnered Katie McLean
(SI). Rebecca was the top professional, Katie the best amateur
and they won the final. Andrew Beverstock was runner-up
in the professional category. Amy Bretherton (SII) Heather
Fleming (SI) and Jazz Catto (SI) also did well in the amateur
category. In their hands debating at St Columba’s has a
promising future.
Alexander osbourne Bronze Alexander Bascetta Bronze
Joe Reid Bronze David Ferguson Bronze
Jordan McKinstry Bronze Fraser Quinn Bronze
Rachael McCabe Bronze Melanie McCarroll Bronze
Katie McAlpine Bronze Jamie Anderson Silver
stuart Wright Bronze Rebecca Grant Silver
euan Lauchland Bronze Kirsty Rarity Silver
emilie Anderson Silver