Schools debate reaches its climax
8 Mar 05
Four schools make it to Society-sponsored debating final
Four schools have secured their place in the final of the Law Society of Scotland's Donald Dewar Debating Tournament.
Pupils from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow have come out ahead of schools from all over Scotland in a hotly-contested tournament to compete for the £1,000 prize and trophy in memory of the late Donald Dewar.
The four are: Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen (Gareth Jones and Robert Gallon); Stewart's Melville College, Edinburgh (Robbie Watt and Chris Skakel); George Heriot's School, Edinburgh (Gabriel Brady and Thomas Boston); and Uddingston Grammar School, Glasgow (Darryl Hutcheon and Craig Docherty).
The final will be held at the Society's offices in Edinburgh on 23 March, when the motion will be "This house believes we should elect our judges."
The runners-up will not walk away empty handed, thanks to the Glasgow Bar Association and Simpson & Marwick solicitors, who donated extra prizes this year.
Douglas Mill, Chief Executive of the Society, said: "Donald Dewar will be remembered for his superb debating skills as First Minister and was an honorary member of the Society.
"This generation of debaters is proving to be skilful and talented at making their points and winning over the audience. The final should be a close-run event."