Young Milngavie debaters triumph again — for the second time in a week Douglas Academy wins big

MSP Gil Paterson has applauded Douglas Academy, whose pupils have won a second major debating competition in a week.

On June 22, the academy won the ESU Scotland Juniors’ Debating Competition at the National Final 2017 in the Scottish Parliament.

MSPs Rona Mackay and James Dornan chaired the event in a committee room where pupils thrashed out arguments on Brexit and security of Britain.

It is the second big win for Douglas Academy, which last week won the Donald Dewar Debating Competition 2017 on June 15.

Mr Paterson said: “I have lodged yet another motion for Douglas Academy in my constituency, because it has some of the sharpest young minds in the whole of Scotland.

“I am thoroughly delighted for the youngsters who have battled off stiff competition, being crowned again the best of the best. It’s an incredible honour to represent them in Holyrood.

“To this avail I have lodged another motion applauding the excellent work by the young debaters at Douglas Academy.”

Ms Mackay said: “I had the privilege of chairing this event and watching this debate live – and I was incredibly impressed with the debating skills of the young people present. Massive congratulations must go to Douglas Academy for winning as well as those runners up. Debating is no easy task, and to make it to this stage shows remarkable skills, courage and charisma.”

ENDS

Press release from Gil Paterson and Rona Mackay by Alan Ferguson (07342 061722)
Motion Number: S5M-06343
Lodged By: Gil Paterson
Date Lodged: 23/06/2017

Title: Second Big Debate Win for Douglas Academy

Motion Text:
That the Parliament congratulates Douglas Academy in Milngavie on winning the ESU Scotland Juniors’ Debating Final, which was held in the Chamber on 22 June 2017; recognises the hard work and preparation of the pupils who debated the motion, “This House believes that leaving the European Union will increase British security”; understands that, throughout the year, schools from across Scotland have been debating controversial social and political issues, such as Turkey’s membership of the EU, whether animal testing should be banned and the role of the monarchy in modern life; thanks Rona Mackay MSP and James Dornan MSP for taking the time to chair the event, and the EU Commission in Scotland for supporting it; applauds all of the schools that took part, and notes this is the second recent debating win by the academy, following its success in the Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Competition one week earlier.