'By Pupils for Pupils' is a web page created by students as a unique place where pupils can share their college experiences. We hope that the student body will contribute their thoughts and opinions on all aspects of college life, and we would like the page to become a forum for debate and discussion about common interests. The page will become a platform for pupils to display recent works and achievements.

From the 2nd-4th of December 2010, College hosted its very own Pantomime, Cinderella, performed by Queens and Southwood pupils. The show was a phenomenal success and set the mood perfectly for the festive period.

Cinderella was kicked off to a great start by Alex Vass and his entertaining welcome, which set the standard for the rest of the night. In the difficult role of Cinderella, Flavia Bruce-Smith gave a charming performance, complimented by Chris Mellor as a gallant Prince Charming. Lily Haycraft-Mee played the rather sassy fairy godmother, and praise must go out to Lily Owen who nearly got a broken leg bouncing around the stage like she did, creating such an extraordinary contrast to the more docile Cinderella.

We were all transported back to our childhood with the fantastic audience participation. Everyone was encouraged to join in with the conventional, ‘oh yes you did, oh no you didn’t!’ folly.
Although it must be said that the show would not have been as hilarious as it was without the ugly step-sisters, Tutti and Frutti, played by Rufus Collier and Sam Holiday, who made us laugh so much with their ridiculous clothes and painfully high voices. Special thanks must go to the mystery male members of staff who seemed to enjoy their roles as the pantomime dames a little too much, by leading a song on stage.

It was wonderful to see the classic and timeless Pantomime once again transformed in spectacular fashion by a very talented cast, for the enjoyment of everyone.

By Sophie Leader and Angela Hilditch

Way back in January, Cheltenham College hosted the South West heat of the English Speaking Union’s Schools’ Mace debating competition. In the form of superbly well-prepared and eloquent teams from Cheltenham Ladies College, Balcarras and Cotswold school, competition was stiff. With all sides participating tirelessly to win over the audience to their particular view, the evening was a tremendous success.

The evening kicked off with the motion “This house believes religion is better left at home than brought into school”. With Cheltenham Ladies proposing, Maddie Parsely and Georgia Pemberton put up an intelligent, nuanced and impassioned opposition for the Cheltenham College team. The judging panel commented complementarily on their delivery and the fluency and integrity of their argument. However, in the end with an exceptionally well prepared and confident performance from Cheltenham Ladies College, the judges were swayed and despite losing the popular vote, awarded them a place in the next stage of the competition.

Second up was a lively, heated and thought provoking debate between Balcarras and The Cotswold School: This house believes that National Treasures should be returned to their country of origin. Cotswold School put up a detailed argument in favour of the motion, but Balcarras’ impressive cogency of argument and eloquent delivery clinched it for the judges, who named them runners up.

Sadly the third motion, “This house believes that paying for news is a thing of the past”, which was being proposed by Charlie Turrell and Anya Bilinkis was called off at the last minute as St Edwards unexpectedly withdrew. However, Charlie Turrell excelled as Master of Ceremonies; managing the evening with great style and flair. AJ Gilbert and Sophie Leader shared the chair with convincing authority; overseeing each debate in turn and managing the complex timings with aplomb.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the event for making it such an enjoyable and thought provoking evening and we look forward to a re-match in 2012!

On the 23 of March 2011, lower sixth representatives from every corner of the earth converged towards what might prove to be the most significant summit meeting of the new millennia. In response to two current crises requiring a response from the UN Security Council, two resolutions were up for debate: firstly, Iran’s nuclear development programme; and secondly, the escalating situation in Libya.

As the delegates entered the United Nation’s hallowed hall, which had temporarily been relocated to the Ladies College, there were barely concealed nods of approval between Iran, Libya and Zimbabwe. This foreshadowed the alliances of convenience, which were later to bring turmoil to the proceedings, in which western intervention was equated with imperialistic mercantilism. Cautiously treading around the issues of regime change and military intervention over tasty Samosas, Britain, France and America expressed a mutual wish to bring stability to the Middle East without repeating the mistakes of the past between themselves.

Once each representative had assumed their allotted position behind their venerated plaque, the debate of the initial motion commenced: the future of Iran’s nuclear power. Heated disagreements emerged as Israel took a stand; citing Iran’s intention to ‘wipe Israel off the face of the map’. The British and American powers stood firm behind Israel when Zimbabwe and Iran justified the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme on the grounds of increased energy demands. After substantial alterations to the preliminary clauses, a resolution was reached, allowing the delegates to proceed onto the next motion: the UN Security Council response to the situation in Libya.

Egypt quickly voiced the opinion that a functioning democracy could be achieved in North Africa. In the opposing corner, the Libyan delegate rebutted by insisting that rebel terrorists were not legitimate participants in Libya’s future and went on to praise Gaddafi’s regime for its infallible stability. Despite these stirring confrontations, it was eventually agreed that several precautions, including a ceasefire, should be taken as a response to the legitimate demands of the Libyan people.

Upper College pupils put up a great show, and rightly so, JJ Ball was awarded the prize of “Delegate of the Conference” in recognition for his participation and marvellous efforts in organising the event.

So, all in all, despite the countless outward quarrels, for just a few hours in the small Cotswold town of Cheltenham, hope for a more peaceful world was ignited and College pupils look forward to commanding the international political stage next year and into the future!

Content to come soon!