SCHOOLS ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME

​​We work with 8 schools in the area with each school having a Rotarian as a nominated School Liaison Executive (SLE). The SLE works closely with and meets regularly with a school contact to understand the school’s requirement and how best we can help them. We believe that building a strong and effective relationship is essential in being able to make a real and valuable contribution.

​Rotary Youth Speaks – A Debate

On Tuesday 13th January The Rotary Club of Maidenhead held the local round of the Rotary Youth Speaks – A Debate competition. 

Altwood Church of England School and Newland Girls’ School entered, with nine teams taking part in all. The students ranged from twelve to eighteen years of age. The Rotary Club are very grateful indeed  for the work of Altwoods’ and Newlands’ teachers in organising and preparing students for the evening; and to the hosts, Newlands Girls’ School, who provided the venue and hospitality.

Each team had three members, a chairperson, a proposer and an opposer. In the debate format the theme they choose is presented as a proposal, followed by a speech opposing, all introduced and summed up by the chair. Three independent judges, chosen for their experience in public communication, gave a score against careful criteria to each team, and decided on the winning teams.
The themes were widely varied, from whether you allow the appreciation of a work of art to be affected by the morality of the artist, to a consideration of capital punishment, to the need for longer lesson times in school.

The ability of the teams to present well researched, well projected, and entertaining speeches was praised by the judges. All speakers received certificates, and the winners in intermediate and senior categories book tokens. But, as Tony Hill, the organiser said, the frequent spontaneous applause of the audience was reward right through the evening.

The two winning teams from Newlands will go forward to the Rotary District 1090 competition to be held at Woodley on March 12th, where they will meet competitors from across, Berks, Bucks, Middlesex and Oxfordshire.