newsletter - Pershore High School

DebatingTaylor Trophy Debating CompetitionOn Wednesday, 23 rd Septemberat 7.00pm Chloe Bitcon and JackRiley were engaged in hot debatewith Malvern College discussingthe relevance of homework.The Taylor Trophy is a debatingcompetition solely for studentsin Year 11 and as there werefour teams and three places,competition was fierce.Chloe opened the debate bydefining the motion 'This housewould ban homework' and offeringsome alternative suggestions totraditional homework; as well asarguing competently whyhomework is such an issue forteenagers.Jack carried on this point of viewvery strongly with some humorousanecdotes stating that he wouldrather do anything than homework.Both Chloe and Jack debatedclearly and confidently, but hadthey done enough?After fending off some interestingcomments from the floor it wastime to wait for the results. MrsIddon, Mr Callaghan, Miss Harperand Mrs Durrant sat nervouslyhoping that Pershore High Schoolwould be successful…and wewere. Chloe and Jack are throughto the next round of the TaylorTrophy and will be debating againon Wednesday, 14 th October.The motion is 'This house wouldinstall child curfews' and Jackand Chloe are the opposition.Jack was commended by theadjudicator for his oratorical skills.As well as this Luke Gordon andElla Percival are participating inthe Eyres Monsellcompetitionon Friday, 16 thOctober.We will keep you updated.by Mrs DurrantSTOP PRESS...Chloe and Jack made it through tothe finals of the Taylor Trophy, weare yet to hear when and wherethat will take place. UnfortunatelyLuke and Ella did not win theEyres Monsell Competition onFriday night but have been invitedto London by Sir Michael Spicer tohave a look around the Housesof Parliament.Thanks to Mr Callaghan and MissHarper who supported Jack andChloe and to Mrs Iddon and MrsDurrant who supported Luke andElla.The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award SchemeIt is that time of year again, whenwe introduce both Bronze andSilver Award to Year 10 and 12.What a response. Due to timeconstraints for next year, therewere only 36 places for the BronzeAward.Within 24 hours of the letters goinghome 63 students had broughtback their reply slips andenrolment forms.Mrs Higginbotham and I were sooverwhelmed by this response thatwe have decided to accept these63 students who were so eager toparticipate in this award. We alsohave a reserves list of ten studentswho are waiting to take the placeof anyone who drops out.Due to large numbers nowinvolved in the Bronze Award,the training will have to start afterschool in the New Year. We willsend out more details nearer thetime. The Silver Award is also upin numbers, which is great news.Any student whocompleted theirBronze or SilverAward earlier thisyear, please getyour log books tous for signing off, especially if allsections are now complete.Congratulations to Stacey Baileyand Jessica Smith who are first toreceive the new look Certificateand Badge for completing theirBronze Award.BBC Food and Farming AwardsPershore High School Chef, Andy Taynton,recently impressed the judges of the BBCRadio 4 programme, The Food Programme.Although there were hundreds of nominationsPHS managed to get through to one of the finalstages.Andy Taynton, Chef,pictured left,with some of thePHS catering staff.7