Custom House students to debate in House of Commons
Royal Docks Community School students, including the winning team, at Newham Dockside for the Young Mayor's The Big Debate Competition. - Credit: Archant
Young debaters have won the chance to put their public speaking skills to the test in Parliament.
Four students from the Royal Docks Community School, in Prince Regent Lane, Custom House, will get the chance to debate in the House of Commons where Prime Minister David Cameron takes part in Prime Minister’s Questions.
The privilege was awarded to the debating team for winning the first Young Mayor of Newham’s The Big Debate Competition.
The verbal tournament, organised by the Young Mayor Rebekah Dike and educational charity Debate Mate, pitted young people from secondary schools in Newham against each other for the coveted prize at the council’s offices, Newham Dockside, on Saturday May 18.
The Year 11 Royal Docks team were victorious on the day and now GCSE students Margaret Oki, Carl Hastings, Thien Nguyen, and Callum Drummond are looking forward to competing at the Palace of Westminster at the end of June.
Margaret said: “Debating has had a big impact on my life, from the first time I debated it became, and has remained, a big part of my life.
“Debating has really built up my confidence, as I feared speaking in front of a crowd before I started it.
Most Read
- 1 Revealed: Cause of Plaistow tower block fire which left 5 men in hospital
- 2 60 firefighters deal with Plaistow tower block fire
- 3 Revealed: Cause of terraced houses blaze in East Ham
- 4 Bow Lock murder defendants blame each other for fatal attack
- 5 Moncur 'overwhelmed' to join Leyton Orient
- 6 East Ham fire: Terraced houses damaged by blaze as woman treated at scene
- 7 Truck towing stolen Rolls Royce SUV crashes before dramatic foot chase
- 8 Fares Maatou was 'murdered with stolen sword', court hears
- 9 Moosakhan Nasiri: Man charged with Plashet Park murder
- 10 Census 2021: What has changed in your borough since 2011?
“As a result of this, I am now very comfortable expressing my views to people.”
Teaching staff at the school would also like to say a big well done to Mariah Hirfzulrehman, Shanahi Kelekele, Natasha Pedun, and Lolade Oluwatimilehin for representing the school.
