Model United Nations Success
Withington delegates won a series of coveted awards at the Model United Nations Conference in Bath. Twenty girls took part, representing Nicaragua, Tanzania, Bahrain and the UK, whose delegation won a Highly Commended award. "It was an excellent achievement given the number of participants and the strength of the debating," said MUN Coordinator Ms Jane Maher.
Seven girls won Individual Commended Delegate awards for some very fine performances in committee while four took Highly Commended Delegate awards. The coveted Best Delegate award was also won by a Withington pupil in the Health Committee. Ms Maher added: "Over half our delegates won awards and particular mention should go to the three Upper Fifth formers Lucinda, Sheanna and Giulia who won awards in their first really big conference.
On Saturday 10th March ten girls took part in the Uniting the Nations MUN in Westminster, a one-off event organised as part of the celebrations for Olympic year involving over 400 students in the prestigious setting of the International Maritime Organisation headquarters. "The girls did incredibly well, debating with many well-prepared and intense delegates. They also had to adapt to a very different style of committee and organisation. Eight of the ten delegates were from the Upper Fifth and were, therefore, relatively inexperienced so their achievement was even more impressive," said Ms Maher. Three girls won individual prizes and another won the Best Delegate award. Two Withington pupils were chose by their committees to report back to the entire General Assembly at the end of the day. Said Ms Maher: "There was a dubious award scheme for the overall school winners. Although we were very pleased at achieving the Bronze award we were rather puzzled by it as we had actually won more individual awards than any other school! Still, a very good day was had by all and the girls were an absolute credit to themselves and the School."