Swansea University is once again delighted to be supporting one of the Urdd Eisteddfod’s main attractions, the GwyddonLe science pavilion. As part of the activities, the GwyddonLe hosted a new public speaking competition on Friday 1st June, for pupils in year 11-13.
The event was organised by the Morgan Academy, Swansea University’s public policy research centre in cooperation with the Department of Geography and Academi Hywel Teifi. The aim of the competition was to give pupils the opportunity to display their debating and reasoning skills in addition to receiving feedback from the judges who are leading figures in the field of policy and politics, Simon Thomas AM and Deputy Director of Morgan Academy, Helen Mary Jones.
Three school teams were shortlisted at Ysgol y Creuddyn, Ysgol Gartholwg and Ysgol Bro Teifi with one pupil from each team arguing in favour and the other against. The topic of discussion was "Nuclear power is essential to ensure a sustainable energy supply for Wales". Dr Osian Elias of the Department of Geography chairs.
Thomas Kemp from Gartholwg Comprehensive School took the prize of £250 to his school as the best speaker in favour, and Mollie Sterriker-Ellis from Creuddyn School received £250 for her school as the best speaker against. The best competition speaker and the winner of the Morgan Academy Challenge was Ellen Jones of Ysgol y Creuddyn. After winning the Challenge, Ellen received an award of work experience with th eMorgan Academy at Swansea University or with Assembly Members in her area. All those who took part received the Morgan Academy Challenge certificate.
Welsh Government Minister, Eluned Morgan AM attended the Morgan Academy Challenge and spoke with the competitors following the competition.
In delivering the criticism, one of the judges, Helen Mary Jones, Deputy Director of the Morgan Academy, said the standard was extremely high and she was delighted to hear so many young people argue their case in such an eloquent and skilled way.
We as a University are looking forward to welcoming the winner, Ellen Jones, to the University on work experience and congratulating everyone who took part.
