A team of Friary sixth formers emerged triumphant at a prestigious debate competition held at Lichfield Cathedral.
Year 12s Oliver Bridges, Hannah Grimshaw and Alex Meredith claimed top prize at the annual award, chaired by David Robertson MP and sponsored by Arthur Price, in association with the Rotary Club of Lichfield St Chad.
This year’s competition saw teams from schools across the parliamentary district debate the very topical question “Immigration: Who wins, who loses?” Aside from The Friary, there were entrants from Erasmus Darwin Academy, Lichfield Cathedral School, John Taylor Free School, John Taylor High School, Chase Terrace Academy and King Edward VI.
The standard set by teams collectively was extremely high, making the achievement of Oliver, Hannah and Alex all the more impressive.
The judging panel, which included the Dean of Lichfield, Jan McFarlane, and Simon Price, also presented Hannah Grimshaw with the award for the Best Individual Speech.
Mark Drury, Headteacher, who watched on from the audience, said: “Students from all schools performed incredibly well and deserve huge praise. Naturally, we are delighted our students claimed the team and individual prizes this year. I know our sixth form leaders Mrs Barratt and Mrs Garner-Thorpe, as well Mrs Cresswell, who’s an integral part of internal debate competitions in school, were incredibly proud to witness the team’s achievement tonight.”
