Our Newspaper Report
Date: 18th Oct 2016 @ 11:04am
Last week Class 4 had a visit from Kim O'Brien, an editor, who gave them tips on writing newspaper reports.
Following the debate with Seema Kennedy MP, the children had to write a draft report to be on the editor's desk (Mrs Jackson) by 9am on Monday morning. The children then worked together to write the report that had to be with the Champion newspaper by 12 noon on Monday.
This is a copy of the report the children wrote and some photo's of Kim's visit.
HEADLINE: SEEMA KENNEDY INSPIRES MAWDESLEY SCHOOLS
SUB HEADING: To ban or not to ban junk food was the topic of debate with the local MP and Mawdesley School children.
On Friday 14th October 2016, Seema Kennedy, local Conservative MP for South Ribble, travelled to Mawdesley St Peter's Primary School to chair their fierce debate about junk food. The debate was between the two local village schools (Mawdesley St Peter's and Mawdesley St Peter and Paul's). The motion was 'this house believes that junk food should be banned for children!' Mawdesley St Peter's were the proposition speakers and Mawdesley St Peter and Paul's were opposing the motion. Both schools had put a great deal of preparation into their speeches and the culmination was the experience of a live debate.
The proposition team (St Peter's) was Freya, Max and Alfie and the opposition team (St Peter and Paul's) was Georgina, Harry and Anna. The main point that St Peter's made was that junk food caused obesity, heart disease and diabetes and the opposition made the point that if junk food outlets were closed, then people would be unemployed. Mawdesley St Peter's argued back that the fast food industry would be replaced by healthy eating, quick food businesses instead, such as Thindian in Leyland. After the debate, the children asked Seema for feedback about how they could improve their debating skills, Seema replied, "The children were absolutely first class and obviously prepared very hard. Their arguments were well presented and crafted and they spoke very very clearly and without hesitation." The parents at both schools have been impressed with the quality of the children's work indeed one parent quoted "I think it has benefited all of the children because of listening to other peoples' opinions and knowing that theirs are not always right".
In conclusion, the proposition speakers from Mawdesley St Peter's were successful in convincing the house to ban junk food. Both sides put forward great arguments and vital points were made. After the fierce debate had ended, both schools posed for photos with Seema Kennedy, a very impressed guest. The children now look forward to visiting Seema in her offices on Wednesday 23rd November, when they travel to the Houses of Parliament in London.
Max, Head Boy at St Peter's, said at the end of the day "It was a really good experience, but quite tense, especially when I was standing up, but when I started talking I felt more confident and all that I had learnt about debating in class slotted into place!"
