Loreto Debating Society in partnership with Cogito has seen an exciting series of debates this term. Ms Tattersall has ensured that Loreto Debating Society has run smoothly with the help of Mr McGuinness and Ms Henderson. Every week we have had a debate on a range of topics. The debates every Tuesday have been hard fought and exciting with enthusiastic students relishing the challenge of debating. We have covered a range of topics from whether we should limit population growth to whether Premiership footballers deserve their rewards. We are looking forward to ending this term with a traditional balloon debate.

The highlight of the term was Loreto hosting the Manchester round of the national organisation, Institute of Ideas and Pfizer, Debating Matters Competition. 192 schools and colleges have entered this prestigious competition nationally. The participants were Loreto College, Abbey College, Ashton Sixth Form College and Urmston Grammar. Mobeen Kausar and Omar Ghulam represented Loreto in the first round. Loreto were arguing against the motion: "Closed circuit television (CCTV) is a threat to our freedom". Abbey College was arguing for the motion. Mobeen and Omar had prepared well for debate under the guidance of Mr McGuinness. This was an extremely hard fought debate with important issues raised regarding this contentious matter.

In the debate Mobeen presented an excellent speech that set out the principles and set the tone of the debate. In the judge and audience sessions Mobeen showed her strength responding intelligently on her feet, spotting logical inconsistencies in the opposing team's arguments. Her sparring with the floor was particularly impressive coming up with some wonderful phrases when spotting inconsistencies. Mobeen impressed the judges with her analytic approach, her good humour, her enthusiasm and excellent manners.

Omar engaged particularly in the philosophical aspects of the motion. In the judge and audience sessions Omar showed that he can think quickly on his feet, coming up with some wonderful phrases that stick in the mind. He impressed the judges with his analytic approach, his enthusiasm and his excellent manners.

Mobeen and Omar were judged to have won. Their performance was strong with a clear understanding of the issues, demonstrating their mastery of the material and format. This meant that Loreto was through to the final.

Kathryn Lyonette and Steven Garside represented Loreto in the final.

They were arguing for the motion: It is irresponsible for women over 50 to have babies. Ashton Sixth Form College was arguing against the motion.

Our team opposed the motion. We were up against a strong team. The final debate was exciting and full of strong content that impressed the judges. Katherine and Steven worked well as a team, each taking a particular theme.

Katherine impressed the judges with her analytic approach, her good humour, her enthusiasm and excellent manners. You could see her thinking and weighing up questions and spotting logical inconsistencies. It was most pleasing that Katherine won the Individual Award for Best Speaker.

Steven's speech was witty and set out the principles with fluency. In the judge and audience sessions Steven showed that he can think quickly on his feet responding to some strong points from the judges with a finely tuned rebuttal and clarifications. He impressed the judges with his warm approach, his enthusiasm and his excellent manners.

It was very pleasing that Loreto was declared as the winner of the Manchester round.