Annual Balloon Debate
‘Black History Month’ has been chosen as our theme for this year’s Verulam Balloon Debate.
Students have been researching Black History Icons and holding their initial debates in Form groups. Form group winners now move on to represent their House in the Year group debate finals this week.
During the debates, the audience is invited to imagine that the speakers are flying in a hot-air balloon which is too heavy and rapidly losing height. With students speaking on the behalf of the icon they have researched and chosen to represent, each speaker has to make the case why they should not be thrown from the balloon!
Balloon debating at Verulam introduces students to concepts they will use in more formal debates and public speaking in future. The debates help students to gain experience in thinking creatively, and quickly, to generate relevant arguments. With listening skills being as important as speaking; students have to compare and contrast ideas as a group, considering different opinions before attempting to reach a consensus.
Ms Stockman-Black, who is organising the event, said “I am incredibly proud of the enthusiasm with which Verulam students have approached this important debate. The quality of debate in Form time has been very high and I look forward to hearing the finalists present to their Year Group on the last day of term”
Results of the debates will be published in Verulam Voice.