Monday meant a return to morning lessons for our students but not quite a return to the normal routine. Instead of free time in town or sports in the afternoon, the students were taking part in their own mini ORA Great Debate – the very last debate of summer 2019!

The morning’s lessons passed quickly as the campus geared up for the afternoon. The topic up for discussion, ‘Manned vs AI Space Missions’, was one that fascinated every member of the cohort, regardless of whether they were on the debate team, and everyone was excited for the debate to start. 

Introducing the topic was Mr Colin Jack, who gave a great overview of humans’ past explorations in space before turning to the prospect of missions to and life on Mars. It was an inspiring start which gave the audience plenty to think about and our debaters a great base to begin their arguments from.

Both teams provided perceptive and persuasive points on their side of the discussion, earning themselves loud applause from their friends and peers. Choosing a side to win was very tricky, but after much deliberation the side arguing for AI-manned expeditions just snatched the win. 

A huge well done goes out to both teams; it takes a lot of courage to stand up and speak to a full room, particularly in a second language, and you all ensured that the final Great Debate of the summer truly was great! Wins were made sweeter and defeats brightened with the arrival of an ice cream van on campus.

For the evening, the students’ concentrated on the more imminent future as they took part in an Oxbridge interview skills workshop. Having witnessed so many confident speakers that afternoon, it was no surprise that everyone came to the interview table with a little more confidence of their own!