Students from Year 7 and 8 travelled to Oundle School in Northanmptonshire on Thursday 7th November, to compete in the English Speaking Union's annual 'Balloon Debate': a collection of famous explorers, past and present, were travelling in a sinking hot air balloon and had to argue their case to avoid being dumped overboard!
Evie (8Li) presented a passionate argument as Jeanne Baret, the first woman to circumnavigate the world - albeit disguised as a male - and long overlooked by the history books with her botanical discoveries being credited to her male colleague. Matilda (8Li) was equally as impressive, arguing the case as Sir Walter Raleigh - explorer, courtier, spy and poet. The judges were impressed with their natural, smiling delivery, in a competitive environment that could easily have proved intimidating.
Sadly, both explorers were ‘dumped overboard’ in favour of Ellen McArthur, from Spratton Hall school.
Thank you to Mrs Sheehan for organising the team and to the students for all their hard work in preparing for the competition.
