Recently, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with several young primary school students and their parents at one of the many College tours we run during the school day here at Whitefriars. One young man was telling me how excited he was to come to secondary school because of the many new and exciting opportunities our College provides both in and outside the classroom. I asked this young boy what activities he had heard of that he was most excited about participating in on his arrival at secondary school. Without hesitation the boy responded – “debating.” I commented to this quiet young man that this was an excellent choice, firstly, because he would develop especially important lifelong skills such as clear thinking, problem solving, collaboration, cooperation and teamwork. Secondly, and equally importantly I guaranteed my young friend that through involvement in debating he would also find some lifelong mates!