Well done to Daniel Cunningham, Richard Barr and Richard Halligan (S6 pupils) who took part in the Barrhead Rotary Youth Speaks competition against other East Renfrewshire schools. The pupils gave speeches on the influence of social media in society. The standard of presentation was very high and the boys received very positive feedback from all of the judges and assembled teaching staff and parents, not to mention our own MP Jim Murphy, on their outstanding performance. They were praised for working extremely well as a team and being very confident speakers. In truth, at least we thought so, they stole the show!

The Rotary Youth Speaks is just one of many inter school and inter authority debates that have taken place and are scheduled to take place involving Barrhead pupils this year. The boys who took part last night have also competed recently in the English Speaking Union debating competition, winning their section and progressing to the second round while two of our S6 pupils will also be taking part in the Donald Dewar Memorial Debate in the near future where they will be discussing the rights and wrongs of inheritance tax! We also have a group of confident third year pupils who have taken part in inter school debates with Mearns Castle High School recently to great acclaim.

If parents wish to find out more about debating at Barrhead High School they should get in touch with the school by email and direct their enquiry to A Laitano or A Beaton in the English Department. If you are out and about in Paisley on Saturday the 20th you may also wish to pop in to the sheriff court where twelve of our S5 and S6 pupils will be lawyers for a day, prosecuting and defending in a real court of law together with real QCs and real judges!