News French Debating Competition at St Paul’s Girls’ School 25.01.2024

On Tuesday a handful of Lower Sixth French students visited St Paul’s Girls’ School to take part in the ‘joutes oratoires’ (French Debating Competition) supported by the French Institute.

Our Lower Sixth were split into two teams, engaging in three debates against other Sixth Form students. The topics included whether Western governments should ban new oil, gas, or coal exploitation; the extent of freedom of expression in music; and France’s policy on allowing migrants passage to England.

Despite the linguistic challenge, they displayed impressive fluency, articulation, and argumentation. The debates were intense, with participants presenting well-researched perspectives supported by evidence.