Former BBC journalist conducts workshop and judges Spoken English - 28/11/08

Published: 28 November, 2008

Andrew Barr, former Head of Education and Religious Broadcasting BBC Scotland, put the sixth form through their paces in a lively hands-on session, which saw them write, edit and broadcast a series of news bulletins – Mr Barr almost didn’t make it to the school after suffering a nasty fall at Edinburgh Station and having to take a detour to casualty at the start of his journey.

 

The aim of the afternoon was to introduce the students to the pressures of rapid broadcasting, learning to work together and express themselves in good quality English in a very short space of time.  The session concluded with the recording of the students’ bulletins.

 

The evening saw the final of the Spoken English Competition.  Pupils spoke on a wide variety of topics from rain forests to school, misconceptions to Malaysia and even ‘Is Elvis dead – really?’. Andrew Barr’s adjudication was ‘spot on’, fair and encouraging. The winners were:

 

Year 7  Josh Bean                   

Year 8  Emil Agobiani               

Year 9  Niall Mahoney               

Year 10 Martin Tongue  

Year 11 Charlie Maidment          

L6        Bridget Luff

U6        Hollie Goodall who was also the overall winner

Finalists and winners (pictured with Andrew Barr) won points for their Houses.