Oswald Elliott Cup debate raises money for Mindspace Stamford

Old Stamfordians and ex-debating captains Tom Watson and Oscar Dixon-Spain have been awarded this year’s Oswald Elliott Cup, in a tense and exciting debate against current Stamfordians Kitty H and Millie M on the motion: “This House believes that e-sports should be part of a 21st century curriculum for school sport”.As part of SES Enrichment Week, the Schools were delighted to be able to hold the Oswald Elliott Cup charity debate in the SHS Hall to raise money for local mental health charity, Mindspace. The debate took place in front of a live Year 12 audience, chaired by incoming Head Boy Sam H.Judges Will Phelan, Nick Gallop, Mark Nasey and Sarah Sharman announced that there was only one mark between the two teams! The Oswald Elliott debating cup was named in honour of Oswald Elliott, an Old Stamfordian who gave his life during WW1 and was involved with the debating society while he was at school.Mrs K Leetch, Teacher of English and Head of Scholars at Stamford School, said: "The debate was a great success and after a year where debating has often been online , it was wonderful to be able to welcome a live audience back to the SHS hall. In a year where Covid has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, we were pleased to be raising money for Mindspace; founded by Stamford GP, Dr Petrie, Mindspace has grown in size and scope over the last few years."At a time when a number of schools are introducing e-sports fixtures and hiring e-sports coaches, the motion for the debate was right up to date and raised questions about the mental and physical health of young people and what sport is really about."It was lovely to welcome back two Old Stamfordians to take part in the debate: Tom Watson, who has just completed his first year studying physics and maths at the University of Warwick and Oscar Dixon-Spain, who has just completed his first year as a medical student at the University of Liverpool."Tom commented: “It was great to be invited back to school and to be able to debate in front of a live audience. The SES team spoke extremely well – I was very impressed and glad that the standard of debating has remained high. I’m glad that the charity debate has been able to resume after the pandemic, allowing us to raise money for a very important charity. I want to thank those who organised the event and took part for a very enjoyable afternoon.”For parents, friends of the school and students who didn’t get the opportunity to watch the debate live, please click here for a YouTube video of the debate and here to donate to our fundraising page.