Hampton’s Senior linguists have progressed to the National Final of the prestigious French Debating competition.
Lower Sixth Francophiles Nayaaz Hashim and Patrick Helm faced tough opposition as they competed against Godolphin School at the semi-final stage, where they debated the unseen motion La publicité devrait être interdite (Advertising should be banned).
The final, against pupils from Henrietta Barnett School, was on the motion La sécurité vaut mieux que la liberté (Security/safety is more important than freedom) with the boys given only 20 minutes to prepare. The variety of their arguments, the rigorous organisation of their ideas and the quality of their language as well as their poised approach was praised by the judges and they were only narrowly defeated by their opponents.
As regional runners-up, Nayaaz and Patrick now qualify for the National Final organised by the Institut Français which will take place later this year.
Head of French, Mr Marc Boardman, congratulated the Hamptonians on their impressive achievement:
Nayaaz and Patrick are truly outstanding linguists and are deservedly being recognised as such on a national level. Eloquent, measured and effortlessly polite in all of their debates, they have been unanimously praised for both their mastery of spoken French and their good character. Expertly guided by Mr Chaveneau, Miss Dubost and Miss Vincent, they continue to surpass our expectations at every stage and are a real credit to their teachers and to the School. Bravo et bonne chance pour la suite!
En route vers la finale!
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