Notre Dame’s Trinity Cup debating competition took place virtually this year. The annual competition, sponsored by Leeds Trinity University, gives year 10 students from Leeds Diocese schools the chance to demonstrate their debating prowess. In 2020, entrants were asked to write 500 to 750 words using the following prompt: ‘Lockdown could be seen as a good thing. Discuss.’
Entries were received from Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Corpus Christi Catholic College, Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School, St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, The Holy Family Catholic High School in Carlton, and The Holy Family Catholic School in Keighley. Each one was judged by five religious studies students and three members of staff, and all were of a very high quality.
Dr Ann Marie Mealey of Leeds Trinity University provided the final adjudication, and was very impressed with the general standard. She said, “It’s nice to see such a high standard coming through the writing.” The University supplied a £20 voucher for each winner.
First prize: Alexus Lambert Dowell, The Holy Family Catholic High School in Carlton.
Please read an excerpt from this essay below:
According to Age UK, a half of all over seventies have said that lockdown has impacted their mental health; whilst three quarters say they are worried because of lockdown; and a third of over fifties say the lockdown has caused them to lose a routine for sleep or be otherwise disturbed during the night – something that increases risk of dementia and causes the loss of physical and mental health. Whilst one benefit of lockdown is that it has brought some people together, it is clear that lockdown is devastating the wider community, especially among older people.
Second prize: Emily Laycock, St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School.
Third prize: Urvi Motolall, Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School.
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