Emma Darwin Hall named winners of 2025 Senior House Debating Competition

The Tuesday before half-term marked the conclusion of a long and eventful season of senior debating.  

The final was a fiercely contested between Moser’s and Emma Darwin Hall, who engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on a particularly morbid motion: whether every adult should intuitively know the date of their own death. 

Moser’s presented a compelling argument in favour of this motion, asserting that such knowledge would foster a more productive society by enabling individuals to tie up loose ends, come to terms with their mortality, and fully embrace life. In contrast, Emma Darwin Hall argued persuasively that this certainty would lead to societal chaos, driven by a "nothing to lose" mindset, the innate human fear of death, and losing the profound value found in the unknown. 

While the debate was closely contested and could have gone either way, I am delighted to report that Emma Darwin Hall emerged victorious in our final debate as senior students, with Miranda R (UVI) for EDH and Violet H (V) for Moser’s earning the well-deserved titles of Speaker of the Day, awarded by Mrs Baxendale and Mr Smiter respectively. 

As this season draws to a close, it brings a sense of nostalgia for Jess, Miranda, and me, who first joined house debating as juniors in Third Form and have since competed in every final but one. It has been an exhilarating and enriching journey, during which we have witnessed the team grow from strength to strength. On a personal level, each of us has gained invaluable skills in critical thinking, public speaking, research and quick thinking, leaving us more confident as we step into the future. 

We sincerely hope that house debating continues to be as rigorous, engaging and enjoyable an experience as we have had the privilege of participating in. Our deepest gratitude goes to Mr. Bandy and the judges, whose dedication and generosity with their time make this competition possible. 

Frances T-T

EDH Senior Debating Team