Holy Cross pupils win Scullion LAW’s 9th Debating Cup

Holy Cross and Hamilton Grammar battled it out at the firm’s 9th Interschool’s Debating Cup held at South Lanarkshire Council HQ over the motion ‘This House Believes That Technology Makes Us Feel More Alone’.

The judging panel was very impressed with both teams but Holy Cross took home the cup after tipping the scales in their favour with the argument that while technology facilitates more interactions, these are of a lower quality.

Nicholas Scullion, managing partner of Scullion LAW, said: “The Debating Cup final was a great success… and we were delighted that it was so well attended with up to 50 people from across Lanarkshire including the Provost of South Lanarkshire, Margaret Mitchell MSP, Ian Leitch CBE, and 10 members of the South Lanarkshire Council Education Resource Department.”

Margaret Mitchell MSP, who sat on the judging panel, said: “The annual Scullion LAW Interschool’s Debate is now in its 9th year of providing an excellent opportunity for local school pupils throughout Lanarkshire to participate and to compete in trying to persuade the audience to support their arguments.

“It helps the pupils to analyse not just their own opinions but their opponents too which will prove a useful transferable skill in the workplace and for life beyond the school gates.”

Alexander Fraser, schools’ convener, Glasgow University Union, who also sat on the judging panel, said: “I would like to congratulate both teams from Hamilton Grammar and Holy Cross for what was a thoroughly enjoyable and high-quality final. The quality of debate throughout all rounds of the tournament has been exemplary and this was fully reflected in the debate that was had in the final.

“Both teams were given full consideration and it was by the narrowest of margins that we gave the win to Holy Cross High School. There were a couple of reasons for this but the most important one to note was Holy Cross’ analysis as to why even if more interactions are taking place as a result of technology, these interactions are of poorer quality than if interactions take place in the real world and make people feel more alone.”