"This House beleives that smoking should be banned forever."Wow! Quite frankly the best day of year 5 so far - the Great Debate. Mr Watson, Mr O'Neill and Mrs Hislop are absolutely delighted with the pupils of year 5.
Both classes (5JW & 5KON) should be really proud of their attitudes, performances and maturity today. The task was tricky and needed good preparation, concentration, listening and lots of effort - but what a performance. I was so pleasantly surprised by both the content of the debate as well as the manner in which all of the year group conducted themselves.
We divided the year group up into house groups with Stuarts and Tudors proposing the motion and Windors and Hannovers opposing it. What made the debate even more tricky was the fact that in some cases people were having to present a viewpoint that they may not fully agree with. This in itself is a really challenging thing to be able to do.
Children from both sides had some forthright and strongly held views on this topical discussion. An array of debating techniques were used throughout the debate. Children clearly listened to other viewpoints and responded appropriately.
During the discussion we all agreed that the facts do speak for themselves - Smoking is extremely dangerous and is not healthy for us in any way.
However the debate around freedom of choice, consideration to others, social & economic consequences of such a ban etc were in depth and realistic. Rhetorical questioning, emotive language, use of real life characters and situations were just some of the range of skills on show today.
The thing that impressed bothMr. O'Neill , Mrs Hislop and myself the most though was how ready you all were to engage in debate. Mr Obama and Mr Mc Cain could have learnt a lot in year 5 today!
Stuarts and Tudors
Main arguements for the banning of smoking everywhere:
- The health risks. 120, 000 people die in the UK each year because of smoking related illnesses.
- Roy Castle died of lung cancer and yet never smoked a cigarette in his life
- Why should the tax payer have to continue to pay such a heavy bill for smokers?
- Lots of folk smoke and due to poor education or ignorance - they aware unaware of the damage that they are doing to themselves and those around them.
- Cigarette butts litter the environment and have caused further loss of life through quickly spreading fires.
Hanovers and Windsors
Main arguements against the abolition of smoking:
- In the freedom of ones own home and when consideration for others is taken into account - if someone still wishes to smoke that is their perogative.
- Tobacco growing countries and their economies would crumble over night
- No one wants to see an illegal black market trade of cigarettes
- The man who has worked in the tobacco factory for 20years is now suddenly out of a job and maybe unemployable
Both sides agreed on a number of issues and an ammended motion is being implemented as we speak. 
Mr. O'Neill and I would like to thank the children today for what we beleive was the highlight of Yr5 this year to date. In every case, the children argued their case with respect and courtesy, with thought and care. They debated with vigour but were mature enough to concede certain points of the debate in order for the house to reach a compromise.
A great debate - Very well done Year 5!
Monday 27th October
