Hampstead School triumphs at Bath!

“Amazing feeling to have achieved so much against such odds, I’m very proud of everyone.” (Holly Baine Year 13)

Seventeen students from Years 8 to 13 visited Kingswood School, Bath to take part in this year’s Model United Nations. Representing four countries, Singapore, Mali, Iceland and Qatar, delegates were allocated to one of five Committees, Conflict, Human Rights, Environment, Health and Development. Issues ranging from child soldiers, marine diversity, migrant labour and the AIDS pandemic were debated.

“It was great. I certainly recommend it to everyone, go if you can.
Favourite bit? The debating. I wanted to be voted fittest delegate.”
Shanti Light (Year 12)

The research and writing of resolutions is the first hurdle faced at MUN. Considerable powers of persuasion are required at the evening lobby session, as delegates attempt to persuade others to support their case.
Successfully tabled resolutions are then debated, first in Committee and then at a meeting of the whole General Assembly. The aim of MUN is essentially to get your resolution passed, and delegates are assessed by the Committee Chairs on the quality of their contribution to the debate, whether taking the floor to speak to a motion, or raising points of information or parliamentary procedure.

“An experience that I will never forget until I experience the real thing”
Gilani Griffin-Rae (Year 13)

Hampstead delegates were extraordinarily successful this year. The youngest were Daniel Jones from Year 8 and Atiha Gupta, Year 10, who both lobbied vigorously, and spoke in the Human Rights Committee, as did Shanti Light from Year 12 who enlivened the debate every time he took the floor. Rowenna Davis won Best Delegate in the Human Rights Committee, beating off fierce competition from the highly skilled and experienced representative for the USA. In Committee 1, conflict issues were debated. Kierra Box representing Iceland and Tom Wills (Qatar) dominated; Tom succeeded in having the Kuwaiti delegate thrown out by security, and went on to win Best Delegate, while Kierra Box was Highly Commended for her contribution. The Environment Committee saw Neela Dolezal battling with a talented student from Belfast, both eventually sharing the best Delegate prize. Anna Wolmuth succeeded in having her resolution debated in the Development Committee, and although it narrowly failed, she made a highly intellectual case against the USA’s protectionist attitude to their agricultural and steel sectors. Gemma Grass-Orkin was commended for her contribution to the debates in the Health Committee.

“A chance to discuss current issues in an environment that made us feel like we were in the real UN.”
Atiha Gupta (Year 10)

Iceland receives the award for best delegation!

The closing ceremony was dominated by the awards for Hampstead delegates. Our team representing Iceland received the prestigious Best Delegation award. This is the first time the prize has gone to a comprehensive school, and the judges commented on the extra challenge posed by representing such a low profile country. This was undoubtedly a brilliant achievement by all who took part. We very much hope that Model United Nations will continue to play an important part in the extra-curricular life of the school and we urge all interested students to contact Mr Ackland or Mr Jenkins for details of the next event.

“This has to be the most enjoyable school trip I have been involved with. The students acted impeccably. They were responsible, punctual, cooperative and mature. Winning best delegation was a wonderful surprise and a proud moment but more importantly, we enjoyed ourselves. What really made me proud was the way that the students supported one another throughout the three days. The model UN seemed to inspire model behaviour from the Hampstead representatives A big thanks to my fellow teachers; Noel Jenkins, Ben Ackland, Andrea Smith, Tanya Swan and Donal O’Hagan for their support and long term organisation of this event”
George Reynoldson

The whole team and Donal O'Hagan who started it all...

Delegates were:
Qatar: Gemma Grass-Orkin, Tom Wills, Holly Baine, Will Benn
Iceland: Kierra Box, Neela Dolezal, Atiha Gupta, Rowenna Davis, Naomi Stoll,
Mali:, Shanti Light, Hani Shawi, Gilani Griffin, Alex Durham
Singapore: Anna Wolmuth, Joe Wills, Talia Beni-Randall, Daniel Jones

“Its scary getting up to speak but once you start it doesn’t seem so scary.”
(Naomi Stoll Year 13)

Congratulations to all who took part, and thanks also to the students at staff at Kingswood school Bath for organising such a brilliant event!

by Noel Jenkins