On Saturday May 19th. at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, 12 students from
Theale Green Community School, currently in years 8 and 9, came third in
the semi-finals of the prestigious, nation-wide ‘Mock Court Trial’ competition
against opposition from schools as far afield as Birmingham, South Wales and
Somerset. The ‘Mock Court Trial’ competition, created and administered by the
Citizens’ Foundation, involves students playing the roles of prosecution and
defence lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court officials for 3 separate court
cases. At Theale, work for the competition began in January. The team have
battled their way through Berkshire Heats and Finals to reach the Semi- Final
stage. "The competition is a tough and gruelling one", said Theale organiser Mr.
Philip Hull. " It makes high demands on our students’ intelligence and
imagination, but , at the end of it all, it is a really worthwhile experience. Not
only does the competition help students to understand the way our legal system
works, but it increases their self-confidence in public speaking and , even more,
their ability to work as a team."
So, well done to all the Theale squad : Meghan Blackwood, Jamie Sheehan,
Charley Morris, Claire Wightman, Gemma Bridgman, George Mason, Jamie- Lee
Dooley, Lizzie Waddell, Emma Anderson, Joanne Edwards, Lizzie Stanley and
Esther Leighton and to reserves, Paul Anderson and Holly Munro. They have all
worked with great determination and enthusiasm. They may have just missed a
in the National Final, but they have done themselves and their school proud!