Page 4 - Town & Around - February 2025
P. 4
4 Town & Around February 2025 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
West Norfolk students impress in the US
spiring lawyers from a West Norfolk secondary enjoyed the
experience of a lifetime when they travelled to the United
AStates to showcase their talents in the world final of an
international competition – making them the only contestants from the
UK.
The team from St Clement’s High School in Terrington St Clement
had already made it through a series of qualifying stages of the Mock
Trial contest, winning the Regional Final in Norwich last year, before
placing second in the National Final, which took place in London in
March. This made them eligible to compete in the Empire Mock Trial
World Championship, which was held in Chicago.
The nine Year 11 students campaigned to raise funds for the trip,
successfully generating £7,500 to cover their costs.
“They had to compete in four mock trial rounds, as both Prosecution
and Defence,” explained Eliza Bennell, who is Assistant Headteacher
and Head of Science at St Clement’s and led the trip.
“In each round, we put forward three attorneys and two witnesses.
As well as this, we sent one witness to another trial to compete with
another team as per the Guest Witness role.
“During the trial, they gave an opening speech, cross-examined
witnesses, and gave a closing speech. Each round lasted three hours.”
Launched by the Young Citizens charity in 1991 to improve young
people’s understanding of the law, the annual Mock Trial competition
sees over 2,000 students from state schools and colleges across the
country participate.
It was the first time that St Clement’s, which is a member of the
West Norfolk Academies Trust, had taken part.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Team Captain and
‘attorney’ Olivia Simms. “I will always remember the feeling of being
in court after all of our hard work and preparation.
“I am extremely proud of our team for how far we have all come,
from the local courthouse in Great Yarmouth to the Federal Courthouse
in Chicago.” St Clement’s team at the Federal Courthouse in Chicago.
“Going to Chicago was an experience that I will never forget – I’m
so grateful to be part of the team and its journey," agreed ‘timekeeper’ The coveted trophy eventually went to Apple Valley High School
Finn Southerland, while ‘witness’ Lola Ward added: “The competition from California, who were crowned Empire Mock Trial World
was a great event to enable me to talk to new people from different Champions 2024.
countries. It was definitely scary being questioned and cross-examined “These competitions are a fantastic opportunity for students,”
by other teams, but highly rewarding.” continued Mrs Bennell.
Forty-four different schools, from 15 different American states and “They give students confidence and the opportunity to visit another
five different countries, made it to the International Final in Chicago, country and look at their legal system.
including students from the USA, Canada, Ireland, and South Korea – “As the only UK team taking part, they performed exceptionally,
as well as St Clement’s representing the UK. having to navigate differences in the USA legal system.”
Rotary Young Musician Competition
Michael Walker
or many years the Rotary Club of King’s Lynn has organised a
very successful debating competition for secondary-aged pupils
Fin the area. For the third year another Rotary completion –
Young Musician - has been held in King’s Lynn. Five competitors took
part in the local round. Pupils from Alderman Peel School in Wells,
King Edward VII Academy, Springwood High School and Wisbech
Grammar School took part.
For the second year running the winner was violinist, Zoe Burton,
whose two pieces by Kreisler and Weiniawski greatly impressed the
judges and the audience. She goes on to the District round to be held
in Norwich in February. In second place was Ukrainian, Iryna Oliinyk,
who played pieces by Beethoven and Debussy.
The Rotary Club is very grateful to Derek Oldfield, Fraser Golding
and Daniel Jenkins for acting as judges and to Springwood High
School for hosting the event.
Photograph: Zoe Burton, Amelie Hayward, Iryna Oliinyk, Charlie
Pitkin and Ethan Soong.