Law Society of Scotland
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Winning pupils through to second round of debating tournament

Pupils from all over Scotland are through to the second round of the Law Society of Scotland's Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament.

Teams from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway have won their place in the second round heats after debating the motion 'this House believes that the right to privacy is more important than the freedom of the press'. The next heats will take place in late January, before the semi finals in early spring and grand final in June.

Heather McKendrick, Education and Training development officer at the Law Society, said: "We had a record number of schools taking part in the opening roundof the tournament for the first which was great to see. Many schools have debating clubs and really encourage pupils to develop their skills in constructing and presenting well thought out and persuasive arguments. Its fantastic to see so many new schools taking part progress in the tournament.

"Unfortunately Thursday's storm meant a few teams couldn't compete but their debates will be rescheduled to take place in the New Year before the next round begins."

The Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament is sponsored by publisher Hodder Gibson. It was launched in 1999 and is the largest debating tournament for schools in Scotland.

To find out more about the competition visit our website:

Schools through to the second round regional heats so far are:

Meldrum Academy, Aberdeenshire
Banchory Academy, Aberdeenshire
Albyn School, Aberdeen
Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry
Dollar Academy, Dollar
Glenalmond College, Livingstone
Stewart's Melville College, Edinburgh
The Royal High School, Edinburgh
The Mary Erskine School, Edinburgh
George Heriot's School, Edinburgh
Madras College, St Andrews
Madras College, St Andrews
Millburn Academy, Inverness
Sandwick Junior High, Shetland
Coltness High School, Wishaw
Moffat Academy
Uddingston Grammar School
Lanark Grammar School
Douglas Academy, Bearsden
Douglas Academy, Bearsden
Bearsden Academy
Boclair Academy, Bearsden
Mearns Castle High School, Newton Mearns
Hutchesons' Grammar, Glasgow
St Aloysius' College, Glasgow
The Glasgow Academy
The Community School of Auchterarder
Perth Academy
Dunblane High School
Dunblane High School
Fettes College, Edinburgh
James Gillespie's High School
Dunfermline High School
Linlithgow Academy
Golspie High School, Highlands
Fortrose Academy, Highlands
Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen
Gordonstoun School, Elgin
St. Columba's Senior School, Kilmacolm
Gryffe High School, East Renfrewshire
Abronhill High School, Cumbernauld
Hamilton Grammar School
Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu, Glasgow
St Ninian's High School, Renfrewshire

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact Val McEwan on -0131 226 8884. Email: valeriemcewan@lawscot.org.uk

09 December 2011