Debating Society Bulletin 2025-2026

Note from the Head of Debating

Debating is an art, a discipline, and a lifelong skill. It teaches us to listen as much as we speak, to persuade with logic rather than volume, and to embrace the challenge of defending both sides of an argument. It sharpens our minds, fuels our curiosity, and reminds us that the best ideas are forged in the fire of discussion. This academic year has seen Debating continue to flourish across our co-educational campus. From weekly training sessions and national competitions, to various Interhouse events and our second annual Intraschool competition organised by our student debaters.

I would like to thank our outgoing Committee, consisting of Debating Captain Madhav (U6C1), Debating Vice-Captains Gautham (U6C1) and Feeza (13 EXJ/PJW), Competitions Secretary Lucas (L6C3), and Publicity Officers Richard (L6R3) and Tamara (11 Ansuz) for their tireless efforts in making Debating accessible and, crucially, enjoyable.

I am delighted to have taken on the role of Head of Debating at Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools since September 2025. As a former Mace debater, I have a vested interest in this discipline.

Please feel free to get in touch via skhurjekar@habselstree.org.uk if you have any questions.

Mrs Sailee Khurjekar Head of Debating

Jargon

Jargon

Debating jargon refers to the specialised words and phrases commonly used in the world of competitive Debating. These terms help debaters communicate ideas quickly and clearly, especially during structured rounds where time is limited.

Below is a simplified list of common debating jargon.

Motion: The topic being debated, e.g., THBT honesty is not always the best policy.

Proposition: The team that agrees with the motion.

Opposition: The team that disagrees with the motion.

Rebuttal: Responding to and attacking the other team’ s arguments.

POI: Point of information, a short interruption (question or comment) made by the other team during a speech.

Clash: Direct disagreement between two arguments or ideas.

Impact: The real-world result or importance of an argument.

Extension: A new, deeper argument introduced by speakers in the bottom half of the debate.

Weighing: Comparing arguments to show why yours matters, more than those presented by other teams.

Training Sessions

Training Sessions

We have three training sessions after school each week which run during term time. Tuesdays are dedicated to Y7-Y8 (Middle School), Wednesdays are dedicated to Y9-Y10 (Upper School), and Thursdays are dedicated to Y11-U6 (Senior School). All our sessions are joint, allowing boys and girls to compete against one another, or potentially team up.

The main form we compete in is British Parliamentary Debating, which is a popular format used in university-level competitions around the world, including the World Universities Debating Championship.

Each debate has four teams with two speakers each:

Opening Government (OG)

Opening Opposition (OO)

Closing Government (CG)

Closing Opposition (CO)

All four teams are ranked from 1st to 4th place. The goal is not just to beat the other side, but to outperform all three other teams. Judges evaluate matter (quality and relevance of arguments), manner (style and clarity of delivery), and method (structure and strategy).

Our Debating sessions are run by our Senior debaters. Judges must remain neutral and fair. Students do not prepare for the motions beforehand and have only 15 minutes to plan their speeches without the use of external resources, including textbooks and AI.

Competitions

Competitions

The students will have competed in thirteen national competitions this academic year, which included qualification into Finals Day for the prestigious International Competition for Young Debaters (ICYD), hosted by the University of Oxford.

Some highlights are included below.

Brighton Schools Gold Winners: Lucas (L6C3) and Richard (L6R3)

Imperial Schools Silver Winners: Lucas (L6C3) and Richard (L6R3)

Imperial Schools Bronze Winners: Chu (11C2) and Ethan (11J2)

Durham Schools Novice Winners: Sophia (11 Ansuz) and Yash (11J2)

Durham Schools Grand Final Runners-Up: Madhav (U6C1) and David (L6H3)

ICYD Novice Winners: William (10M1) and Aadi (9M2)

LSE Junior Silver Winners: Samuel (8M) and Cyrus (8R)

The students have debated on a range of interesting topics during these competitions, including but not limited to: sexism and social acceptability; political balance in comedy; art education; and the glorification of compromise.

Interhouse Events

Interhouse Events

Interhouse events at both schools encourage spirited competition amongst the Houses. This academic year, we introduced BP Debating in the Girls’ School for the Competition. We were delighted to welcome former Debating Vice-Captain James Cater (OH 2023) and former Debating Captain William Mace (OH 2025) to judge the Final.

We have six Houses per school that are in contention:

Calverts (BS) + Powell (GS)

Hendersons (BS) + Sprules (GS)

Joblings (BS) + Gilliland (GS)

Meadows (BS) + Gillett (GS)

Russells (BS) + Harold (GS)

Strouts (BS) + Millar (GS)

There were various motions used, including but not limited to:

THBT the use of violence can be a legitimate form of political protest. THO the increasing use of celebrity endorsements in social movements. THBT professional sports leagues should implement a fixed, equal salary for all their players.

Congratulations to the pairs below for winning each strand.

Y7-Y8: Samuel (8J) and Ranvir (8J) + Lila (8 Harold) and Kitty (8 Harold)

Y9-Y10: Nathaniel (10J1) and Adam (10J1) + Jessica (10 Ansuz)

Y11-L6: Aarav (L6H3) and David (L6H3) + Issie (11 A)

Intraschool Competition

Intraschool Competition

Student debaters who take initiative demonstrate leadership, curiosity, and a strong commitment to growth. Their proactive mindset fosters a dynamic learning environment where critical thinking and collaboration thrive. Their motivation is rooted in a desire to excel and contribute meaningfully, which builds resilience, adaptability, and a sense of ownership. One of the highlights of the calendar was the second annual Intraschool Competition, organised by the Committee. It allowed students from both schools to compete in a first-rate Competition within school grounds.

Over sixty students took part in or judged the Competition across both schools. The four teams which reached the Grand Final after multiple qualification rounds were: Goodbye Mellow Brick Road (Tamara and Aanya); SVSM (Samit and Shakir); ELCO (Ethan and Chu); and DLAS (David L and Aarav).

Our expert panel of judges, led by our Debating Captain Madhav, had a fiercely contested and heated deliberation, but in the end, they came to a unanimous call.

Congratulations to the winners of the second annual Intraschool Debating Competition: ELCO (Ethan and Chu).

We were also able to run a Novice Final for those students who had debated for less than a year. Congratulations to the winners of the first ever Novice Intraschool Final: TSDT (Tarun and David T). Both students are in Year 11 and started debating this academic year.

Committee

Committee

The incoming Debating Committee was elected in April 2026, following a rigorous application process. The Haberdashers’ Elstree Debating Society Committee 2026-2027 is listed below.

Captain: Lucas (L6C3)

Vice-Captains: Aarav S (L6H3) and David (L6H3)

Competitions Secretary: Ethan (11J2)

Head of Publicity: Tamara (11 Ansuz)

Due to the high calibre of applications, and to maximise the skill and talent on offer, the following students have made it onto the extended leadership team, working closely with the Committee.

Head of Clubs: Richard (L6R3)

Deputy Head of Clubs: Yash (11J2)

Head of Journalism: Samit (L6R2)

Deputy Head of Journalism: Shakir (L6J2)

Head of Logistics: Aarav R (L6H3)

Deputy Competitions Secretary: Aanya (11 A)

Deputy Head of Publicity: Chu (11C2)

Debating holds an important historical tradition at both the Boys’ School and Girls’ School. We have a strong set of upand-coming debaters on both sides of the pond. We hope to continue building on this success and, in the process, bring home some more silverware.