Footballers' wages, child voting and the educational benefits of computer game Minecraft were among the hot topics debated at this year's Junior Youth Speaks Competition in Helston.
Nine teams of year six pupils met at Nansloe Academy for the fifth year of the competition, which proved to be the largest to date.
Organised once again by the Rotary Club of Cober Valley, it featured the debating talents of youngsters from Garras, Godolphin, Parc Eglos, St Michael’s, Sithney, Nansloe, Mullion, Boskenwyn and Germoe primary schools.
They spoke on a wide range of topics, chosen by themselves, including ‘Is Minecraft educational?’, ‘Gaming or Games?’, ‘Dahl’s dreams or Disney drama?’ and ‘Should children vote in the General Election?’.
Each team consisted of three competitors: a chair, a speaker and a proposer of the vote of thanks.
They were introduced by rotary club president elect Hilary Young, with the panel of judges consisting of Bruce Gilbert, Alyson Elliot and David Kerwin.
A strong supporter of the competition, Mrs Young spoke of her pleasure at seeing such a strong field of competitors and stressed to the youngsters the value of the work and thought they had put into preparing their speeches, together with the pride they should take from their performances.
After careful consultation from the judges, the winning teams were chosen as Parc Eglos School, with Jessica Goodwin, Maggie Bean and Katie Besford speaking on the topic of ‘Should footballers be paid as much as they are?’, and Nansloe Academy, represented by Evie Harrison, Blake Frantz and Dylan Moore, who asked ‘Dance is just for girls, isn’t it?’.
They will now go on to compete in the area competition, which will be held at Penwith College on February 27.
On behalf of the judges, Bruce Gilbert thanked the teams for their efforts and the "amazing standard" of public speaking shown by all.
Each competitor was presented with a medal and certificate to mark the occasion and the two winning teams were given a trophy to share throughout 2016.
Cober Valley Rotary president Rachael Curnow thanked all the pupils, teachers, parents and rotarians whose hard work had helped to make the event so enjoyable and worthwhile.
Thanks were also given to Nansloe Academy for hosting the event and providing refreshments.
The competition will return again next year and is open to all primary schools in the Helston area. For more information visit cobervalley.org.uk
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