Head's Newsletter 2 March 2018

The debating society

MENTAL HEALTH

The Debating Society has been very busy with lots of fixtures in addition to its regular Monday lunchtime debates. On Tuesday 30 th January, Tiffin’s senior pair travelled to Hampton School. Having beaten Surbiton High in the first round of the English Speaking Union Debating Competition, Tiffin clashed with The Lady Eleanor Holles School in the second round. Arguing against the motion: This House would prohibit the media from using software to cosmetically improve an individual's appearance , Aditya Deshpande (Year 13) and Keir Hackman (Year 12) prepared and delivered speeches while also rebutting the points made by the proposition, eventually winning the debate. However, only one school out of the four competing could progress that day – and that was the winner of the other debate, Tiffin Girls. Nevertheless, the adjudicator praised the boys’ delivery and quick wit, placing them in second place. Two intermediate teams competed in the London Region heat of the ESU’s Public speaking competition at St Mark’s Catholic School in Hounslow. Saij Lamba, Bakr Al- Derzi and Harry Lambert performed very well to scoop the runner-up prize with Harry being judged best questioner and Bakr outstanding personality. In addition Kajan Kailayanathan, in our second team, was awarded the Best Chairperson prize. Another Senior Team competes at Dulwich College next Monday and The Cambridge Schools Debating Competition is also coming up later this month so there is plenty more opportunity for success.

On 20 th January, twelve specially selected Year 9 students attended a conference at Coombe’s Girl School about mental health in our society and its effects. They listened to many speakers teaching them about strategies that they can employ to help others. They collaborated with other schools to discuss why people may feel certain ways, what effect it has on them and how to support them. They listened and responded with great maturity and represented the school exceptionally well. These 12 students are Tiffin’s latest group of mental health ambassadors and will venture to use what they have learnt to the benefit of our School and its students.

Tom Armstrong represented Surrey in the inter counties cross-country competition on Saturday 3 rd February in Newbury. He was part of the Junior Boys’ team and they won the South East Inter-counties title.