20 December 2023

Contestants and Judges from the 'Great Debate' held at Newport Girls' High School

The Historical Association Great Debate regional heat took place in school this week. NGHS was represented by Evelyn Donaldson (Yr10) and Charlotte Toogood (Yr12) who had won the school heats in November. The question this year was ‘Which historical place or person from your local areas deserves greater recognition?’ All of the contestants provided excellent presentations on the role of oral history and the community shop in Lilleshall, the work of local anthropologist Roderick Sayce, and the pioneer of female education Sarah Mills.

The winner of the heat was Deryn from Shropshire College with an excellent talk on the Cinderloo Uprising and we wish her the best for the next round in the competition. The History department would like to say a massive thank you to our judges Linda Fletcher and Amanda Seys. Linda is the Chair of the Newport and District History Society and Amanda is an experienced and passionate former history teacher. They had a tough decision to make and we are grateful for their expertise, excellent questions and the wonderful feedback given to each participant. We would also like to thank all of the students for taking part in both the school and regional heats. We look forward to the challenge of the Great Debate 2024!

Ms J Clarke, Teacher of History & Politics