Page 90 - Herioter 2021

Debating – in the when we debated the motion ‘This House would
cancel Christmas’.
time of Covid-19 debating was the traditional staff pupil debate, in
The culmination of our one term of in-school
which Mr Duncan, from the History and Modern
Studies Department, and I, debated against
The 2020-21 academic year has been a strange Tristan Jacquel and Mrs Rolland of the Physics
time for all of us, not least for the Debating Department on the motion ‘This House believes
Society. Covid-19 has limited our in-person that there is more to learn from the future than
opportunities during the school year, as we have the past’. All members of the society met in
been unable to meet together as a society in the the Lecture Theatre for an excellent discussion,
latter two terms of the school calendar. During resulting in a close victory for the past and the
this time, we have struggled through the technical social sciences.
difficulties of Zoom debating, attempting to However, despite the challenges of Covid-19,
navigate the inevitable broken mics and the which certainly restricted opportunities, our career. I’ve loved the excitement of heading to
seemingly endless number of breakout rooms. competitive teams have still excelled. In Term 1, the Old Building each Friday afternoon, as well as
However, from the beginning of Term 1 until
Christmas, we were able to meet (albeit socially our Junior Debaters took part in the Edinburgh my three years of competition with the school.
I would like to thank the vice-chair. Angus Ivory.
Schools Competition with Anna Hansen, Rachel
distanced, and with some members joining via Rose, George Murphy and Marco Scully scoring for all his contributions this year, as well as all
video call even then) in the English Department very well. In Term 2, we attended two online members of the committee for 2020-21 and a
at 3.15pm on Friday to hear some excellent and competitions, firstly Oxford Schools, where Tristan special mention to Eve Williamson for producing
thought-provoking speeches from new members Jacquel and I were joined by Angus Ivory and posters to advertise our weekly debates. To Mrs
and old hands alike. There have been some strong Matthew Nichols and Edinburgh Schools where Hay and Mr Rodger-Phillips, who give generously
debates both on topical political issues, such as Esther Arthurson and Elisa Sangrar made their of their time to support and coach the members,
our US Presidential Debate, pitting supporters of digital debating debuts alongside Matthew and I say thank you for making George Heriot’s
Donald Trump against those of Joe Biden (our Angus. Debating Society so special.
members’ votes reflecting the actual result of My six years in the Debating Society at Heriot’s
the election), as well as discussions focussing on have been some of the best times of my school Felix Esche (S6)
current pandemic-related events, for example,

The music will members, along with the happiness, success and Band of Scotland. This reflects well on the
high standard of piping and drumming at
reward of being part of that band.
play on for pipers memories – from competing in the grade 1 Heriot’s, and is an excellent illustration of
Leaving S6 pupils take with them fond
opportunities both piping and drumming
arena at the World Pipe Band Championships, provide – performing at the Glasgow Royal
I had hoped to be writing about the performing on the lawns on June Day to winning Concert Hall, SSE Hydro, Avenches Tattoo,
continued success of Pipe Band in major pipe the UK Pipe Band Championship. A number of and Buckingham Palace.
band contests this year. Unfortunately, this ex-band members, pupils and staff continue to The band would not be able to achieve
was not to be. However, in June, we finally support the school and Pipe Band, and this year’s success or enjoy performing at various
had performances to look forward to. I led S6 hope to do the same. events without the excellent tutoring and
the band onto the forecourt at the Palace Piping and drumming is competitive on an guidance of Mr McIntyre, Mr Jørgensen,
of Holyrood for the CCF Beating Retreat in individual and band level with regular competition Mr McDermott, Mr Speirs and Ms Gerrie,
front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. against other schools across Scotland and who have instilled high standards whilst still
The House Solo competition has been beyond. Despite this competitiveness, strong making the experience enjoyable. Finally, I
rescheduled and band members will perform friendships are built and being part of Pipe Band wish everyone in the band and those leaving
solo sets they have been perfecting during at school provides the opportunity to be part of the best of luck, and hope to see everyone
lockdown. The band also has the honour of this much wider pipe band community. back competing in the 2022 season.
hosting an end of year performance on the Drum Sergeant Tristan Jaquel and I have
lawns for friends and family – a fitting send- also gone on to join the National Youth Pipe Pipe Major Christopher Happs (S6)
off for those pupils, like me, who will leave
Heriot’s at the end of this session.
I was first inspired to play the bagpipes in
P2 after seeing the school’s band perform
at the Usher Hall. The drumming fanfare is
always one of the highlights of the show
and I hope the band’s future performances
continue to inspire other young Heriot’s
pipers and drummers in this way.
Piping and drumming requires
commitment in terms of time and practice.
Pipe Band is a very special group in the school
as it incorporates members from P4 through
to S6. It fully represents the ethos of the
school – the hard work and commitment
required by band members, the kindness and
support shown by Pipe Band staff and senior

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