The Great Debate

By Mr Aaron Wheatley,
Head of History and Politics

Last Thursday, Ipswich High School played host to several local secondary schools, as part of the Historical Association’s annual ‘Great Debate’.
Entrants have to research an answer to the year’s specified question. This year’s question is ‘How does your local history tell a global story?’. We heard many arguments ranging from the Cambridge Apostles to Lowestoft’s Fishing Industry.
Our entrants were Astrid Hawkins, who spoke about the Manningtree Witch Trials as a symbol for continued gender persecution and gender inequality, Myla McKeown who spoke about Edward Long, Hurts Hall and its connections to the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Jamaican Plantocracy, and Daisy Broadberry, who used Dunwich as a forewarning about climate change and coastal erosion. All three presented compelling arguments and spoke with such finesse. Well done to all three.
The judging panel spent some deliberating but eventually decided that Myla’s argument was the most compelling, awarding her first place and securing her position in the national semi-final. Both Astrid and Daisy were awarded the two ‘Highly Commended’ spots, meaning Ipswich High School secured a clean sweep. A marvellous achievement.
Our thanks to Simon Pearce and Dr John Greenacre for volunteering their time to judge this year’s competition. And, best of luck to Myla as she prepares for the semi-final which will be hosted soon.