Embedded Files
Debating Club
Debating clubs run separately in KS3, KS4 and KS5. St Michael's enter teams into national competitions every year and we work closely with Dulwich College and UCL in providing the highest level of coaching support to our students. 2024-25 is another record year of achievements for our teams!
St Michael's Students discuss their experiences in the Debating Club
6th Formers share they thoughts about how it has helped their studies, inter-personal skills, built confidence and friendships and expanded their minds.
Summer 2025
Y7 and Y10 Debating Success at Historic Kingswood Arts Centre
Last week, after a year of hard work at lunchtime and afterschool debate club, our Year 7 and Year 10 debate teams were able to show off their incredible talent at the Debate Mate x SSLP end of year debate showcase! Both year groups demonstrated articulate arguments, and impressive debate style with our Year 7s achieving a clean sweep, winning every one of their debates! Our Year 10s also put in a strong performance, and were highly commended for their willingness to adapt and form a break away team to allow participants from another school to be involved with each debate. Despite our passionate arguments on topics such as if AI should be feared, or footballers being paid the same as public sector workers, it was Kingsdale and St. Saviour's who made it to the final showcase, with Kingsdale emerging as the overall champions. We are all incredibly proud of all our debaters and their efforts, and looking forward to more competitions next year - Year 7 have vowed that next year’s victory will be theirs! A huge congratulations to Isabella M-O, Martha W, Janka P, Ariam G, Seb H and Lola B in Year 7, and Miley N-O, Samuela S, Esther E, Martha K, Monique M, Angel O and Angelica W in Year 10. We can't wait to see what our debate teams achieve in the future!
St Michael's Year 7 Team Win the inaugural SSLP X DebateMate Competition!
Congratulations to Martha W (7DA), Janka P (7RU), Ariam G (7DA), Isabella M-O (7BC) and Sebatsian H (7RU) who won every round of their competition , defeating teams from across South London to win the cup!
Next stop the Grand Final and Kingswood Arts in June!
Spring 2025
Year 10 and Year 12 Debating Team take on St Saviour's and St Olave's School
St Michael's were proud to host the inaugural inter-school Southwark Debate Sparring session against St Saviour's and St Olave's school. Fascinating arguments were heard on the morality of museum collections and the nature of reincarnation. It ended in a draw!
Well done to our new friends from further up the river!
Autumn 2024
St Michael's Defeat 6 Private Schools in Dulwich Debating Competition!
This Sunday we were given a capital experience to immerse ourselves in the world of debating. As representatives of St Michael's Catholic College, Bryant (12VI) and myself were invited to Dulwich College for one of the biggest debating events in London! We were immediately thrown into an unfamiliar, yet exhilarating, atmosphere of minds racing, working hard, fully latched onto the motions presented. What would be the next one? How could we win? Determined faces rushing into rooms, dissecting the 15 minutes of crucial preparation time. Overall, we were able to emerge victorious in two- of our four total -rounds standing triumphant over schools such as Eton, Wellington, and Highgate. The day was a great success - spent formulating ideas and making new friends! It was a thrilling experience being able to enhance our knowledge, connections and overall expertise in debating. Join the Debating Society!
Laura B (13VI)
Summer 2024
MUN July 2024 .pptx
St Michael's 6th Form Students Host First Model United Nations Conference
St Michael's is delighted to celebrate the success of the school's inaugural Model UN Conference this term. This conference was run entirely by the college's Year 12 MUN team, inclusive of organisation, communication, public speaking, adjudication, stewarding and administration. The event was attended by delegate students from across London, including Brampton Manor, Kingsdale and Bonus Pastor. UN countries were also represented by students from across year groups in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5. Congratulations also to the representatives of France, Sweden and the Russian Federation who collected the awards for "Best Delegate." Keep your eyes open for the next MUN Conference in February!
Please find below the reflections of Tyler-May M, 12 BC, Deputy Communications Officer STMMUN:
From the 25th of April, every member of St Michael’s Model UN put forward great effort in order to ensure the success of our first ever conference on 12th of July. Everyone who has taken part in the Model UN has grown exceptionally throughout the process, developing public speaking, organisational and leadership skills along the way. Whether you were experienced or not, everyone was able to effectively take part and add something valuable and exciting to the day.
The UN Committees provided an amazing experience for everyone involved, where students were able to act as their designated country's delegation. The General Assembly was an outstanding role model for what to expect from a committee in which both the chairs and delegates played their roles professionally and to perfection. The Security Council, was particularly impressive given that the committee was exclusively comprised on novice delegates. We were also delighted to welcome so many students from different year groups and from so many different parts of London. We are all excited for next years new debate participants and can't wait for February!
Being a part of the Board of Directors at St Michael's Model UN has been an amazing experience. From co-ordinating it to actually taking part on the day, it has been worth every minute of hard work and effort. From training newcomers in the procedures to organising the perfect date to hold the conference it has been both difficult and exciting. Everyone has gained new knowledge and skills through organising and taking part in this Model UN. Albeit our first conference, the BoD hopes to return next year in order to ensure another successful STMMUN in 2024-2025.
Autumn 2023
Model United Nations - COP 28
St Michael's Win Again!
Last week, the St. Michael's Model United Nations team attended a mock COP 28 conference at Halcyon School in West London. They engaged in spirited debate with other schools about various climate issues such as deforestation and taxes on unsustainable goods. Ryan B, 12A, was awarded best delegate at the conference and the whole team are looking forward to the next MUN opportunity!
Angelica R, 12A tells us: "Model United Nations is an amazing opportunity to be exposed to current affairs in the real world, and to get a glimpse of how politicians find solutions to these problems. The experience has been incredibly enjoyable, not only do I get to essentially shout (debate) at other people (with justification of course), but I also get to understand how people differ in their views and how world leaders put aside differences in order to come up with resolutions that is best for all people. Model United Nations is a great chance for anyone to develop their skills, whether or not you're shy or outgoing, as can you meet so many new people and learn new skills from others. Don't be intimidated if you're new because you'll eventually get the hang of shouting at other people, it's quite fun and engaging."
St Michael’s Debating Team Defeat Eton…AGAIN!
Congratulations to the 6th Form Debating Team who represented St Michael’s at the Dulwich Schools Debating Championships this month. Not only were they the only non-private school there but Zach Sheriff (13A) and Ryan Belaidi (12A) took the event in their stride, beating Eton, Highgate, Putney and Latymer along the way.
Mr Magnoff
Please find Ryan’s reflections below:
St Michael’s 6th Form Debating Society was back for its second competition, the venue this time at Dulwich College. We fought a heated four debates with various private and grammar schools, even receiving a shoutout as the only non-selective state school present. Many controversial topics were raised, including inheritance tax, as well as the political left wing domination of feminism. We were forced to adapt to the whims and regulations of British Parliamentary debating, and got through without losing a single debate. The Society is proud to announce that we are SMCC 2 - Eton 0.
Spring 2023
St Michael’s are Imperial University Debating Champions!
Congratulations to Ryan B and Jayden F-M in Year 11 who took part in their first debating competition at Imperial College (one of the most important STEM-focused universities in the world)…..and won the cup beating Eton, St Paul’s and Tiffin on the way! Mr Magnoff
Please find Ryan’s reflections below:
The debate competition at Imperial Schools was an unforgettable experience. Going in, Jayden and I had no clue of what to expect and very little knowledge of this style of debating, known as British Parliamentary. We were humbled to say the least in that first debate, with competitors from the country’s top private schools speaking at a pace so fast they gave Eminem a run for his money. Nevertheless, we endured 3 more rounds of debating, very much learning the rules (both spoken and unspoken) of this peculiar art form on the go and with the help of a very kind judge (Stefan) who gave us invaluable feedback, we were able to win the 3rd round (beating a team from Eton), allowing and qualify for the grand final! With a motion on the topical debate of inheritance tax, we clawed our way to victory over Tiffin Grammar School as the proposition, ending the night on a high. Not bad for two Year 11s from a state school in Bermondsey.
Ryan Belaidi, 11DA
St Michael’s Students debate at the US Embassy!
On the 24th of February, we were fortunate enough to participate in an annual debating tournament in honour of Benjamin Franklin. Held at the esteemed embassy of the United States, we first had to go through bag checks to even be allowed entry into the building! We were immediately overwhelmed and inspired by the beautiful architecture before the real fun had even begun but we maintained focus as we looked over our argument notes in preparation for the first round.
It was an amazing experience to debate against so many different schools, mostly being private and grammar schools. As our first official competition, it was new, nerve-wracking but also extremely mind-opening. It gave us insight into ways to go above and beyond throughout our academic careers; at the end where all the winners were announced we had nothing but grudging respect for such brilliant, high-achieving students. The atmosphere was phenomenal, we met and conversed with other brilliant students, learned from their styles and even though we didn't win, just watching the heated final debates was so interesting and motivating, giving us an insight into what to aim for and potential future competitions to participate in.
We were privileged enough to get a tour of the vast embassy building and were able to see their private American candy shop, glass bar, and multiple jungle-inspired balcony gardens!
We are so grateful for an opportunity like this, especially to our debate teacher Ms Casey for selecting us, Mr Divine for accompanying us and Mr Magnoff for making it happen!
Julia S (10BC) & Isioma A (10DA)
Sixth form debaters give England hopefuls a scare!
The Sixth Form Debating Club went to Dulwich College after school on Friday - in pairs they debated with and against Dulwich students who are trialing for the England team!
St Michael’s students were given a session on preparing for debates by Dulwich’s paid debating coach before splitting off and then debating. They held their own and we’ve been invited back.
They have been developing their oracy, argumentation and public speaking skills - skills that employers and universities really love!
If you are in the Sixth Form and want to join, come along on Thursdays at 4-5pm in S08.
Mr House
Summer 2022
Sixth Form Debaters’ Trip to US Embassy by Amarachi Ibe
On Friday 25th February 2022, Amelie and I were nominated to represent St Michael's at the annual ‘Frankly Speaking’ debate competition hosted by Benjamin Franklin House and the US Embassy.
The two heats and the semi-finals of the competition started at Benjamin Franklin House in Charing Cross – a nondescript townhouse with an antique interior unchanged since the time of Franklin’s residency and notable crooked stairs. The rooms were so small that during debates we sat right next to our opponents with the Judges and Invigilator opposite us.
As well as St Michael’s, the competition hosted a mixture of state and private schools: Camden School for Girls, Swakeleys Girls School, Southbank International, Winchmore School, and, the previous winners, Saint Cecelia’s CofE school.
After the heats and the semi-finals, we made our way to the American embassy where we were checked in and led to a ‘foyer’ where we spoke to US diplomats and Embassy staff who spoke about their work in the embassy and their experiences living in the UK. Strikingly, were the walls in the foyer celebrating the work of African-Americans in the UK for American Black History Month (February); there were profiles of artists and designers and displays of their work.
Upon the arrival of all teams, we were invited into another room that had been set up to watch the finals between Swakeleys Girls School and Camden School for Girls. The motion was ‘This house believes that social media had the duty to police information of their sites’ - both teams debated were seasoned and debated well, making for an engaging performance. Swakeleys Girls School won the 2022 competition, with the highest-scoring individual receiving an all-expenses paid place at US-based Perdue University’s intensive Summer School about American Culture.
US Ambassador (Interim) Philip T. Reeker, closed off the day, by expressing his joy for debating, noting that Benjamin Franklin himself enjoyed debating. Ambassador Reeker encouraged all participants to continue enhancing their debating skills. Lady Anelay, a Conservative in the House of Lords, also spoke about her joy of hearing us debate and congratulated the winners for their hard work. She ended by expressing her gratitude towards the US embassy and Benjamin Franklin House - reminding the audience that the UK is truly America's closest ally.
Overall, the day was very enjoyable and as new debaters the heats were daunting – especially having learnt that our opponents had been debating for far longer than ourselves, with some even making the British debating team. Whilst this raised some considerable challenges to overcome, this day didn’t diminish my interest for debating, instead I spent the day absorbing what was on offer, taking mental and written notes to return to our debating society at school in order for us all to become even greater debaters.
I learnt that preparation is key and not only preparation for the side we are arguing but also the opposition, so that we don’t get stumped by any rebuttals they may have. I learnt about a ‘debating character’; the idea of becoming a different person while debating to ease nerves and enhance the style of one’s debate. But most of all, the greatest point I learnt, was to have confidence and have fun doing it - this makes the experience so much more enjoyable whilst gaining new friends and contacts, whether you win or not.
Amarachi Ibe, 12A
Spring 2022
SSLP Trophy Success!
Yesterday afternoon, after a hard fought contest against the home team, The St. Michael’s Sixth Form Debating team came second in the SSLP competition finals held at James Allen’s Girls School, Dulwich.
Congratulations to our very able Debating team: Amarachi Ibe, Janice Kwao, Emmanuel Essel, Joshlyn Evans, Stella Okoro and Nathan Arthur, all of Year 12.
Mr Fellows
Model United Nations
2022
Mock Bar Trial
2022
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