Debating duo win praise from judges! (From Barry And District News)

Debating duo win praise from judges!

TWO pupils from Bryn Hafren Comprehensive narrowly missed out on winning the 2005 Julian Hodge Bank Schools Debating Championships last Friday.

The event pitted Geraint Denison and Lucy Rees of Cardiff's Whitchurch High School against Laura Stone and Bethan McKernan of Barry's Bryn Hafren, debating the motion: "This House believes that the war on terror can never succeed."

Pupils Bethan and Laura courageously opposed the motion.

Bethan, aged 17, said: "We have never debated before and we were quite surprised to get this far in the competition.

"We had met the Whitchurch team and we knew what we were up against. It's not every day you get a chance to do something like this."

The winning duo from Whitchurch will now go forward to represent Wales in the World Championships next July.

Adjudicator Paul James, group marketing manager of Julian Hodge Bank, said: "Both schools should be applauded for reaching the final of this very competitive championship.

"The quality of their debating skills on this emotive issue bodes well for Wales' representation at the World Championships."