January 8th 2026
Mr Noble - Intellectual challenges for the senior pupils
In the run up to Christmas, Year 7 pupils were tasked with writing persuasive speeches on the theme of modern day technology use. They subsequently performed these speeches to their classes.
Public speaking is such a valuable life skill, and whether through these speeches and their declamations in their English lessons, or in their impressive Dragon’s Den presentations, it has been lovely to see the boys relishing so much air time and developing confidence and skills with their public speaking.
There was a fascinating range of points raised in the speeches, with some really insightful perspectives presented, from both ‘sides of the coin’. It was genuinely refreshing to hear the level of awareness of the potential pitfalls and distractions of modern technology, with a striking number of boys choosing to argue that modern technology is a distraction that we could do without. Likewise, there seems to be a sound grasp of how incredibly powerful and beneficial technology use can be in future life, socially, professionally, creatively etcetera.
Arguably the best speeches were not only delivered with energy and clarity, but so too with a sense of balance, highlighting the need for moderation and caution in use of social media, devices and other forms of modern technology.
This was an example of the type of intellectual challenge that our senior students regularly face in their academic ‘day to day’ at Moulsford, with a real onus put on education for life and subject matter that is stimulating and relevant to the children’s futures. A big well done to our Year 7 students for the curiosity shown throughout this project!
