This year has seen the welcome return of our half termly Lecture Days, in which students have the opportunity to listen to a range of challenging and simulating lectures on significant academic and current topics given by experts in their fields.
On Tuesday, March 22nd, we held our third live lecture day of the academic year with a fine selection of exciting and riveting subjects! Firstly, we were delighted to welcome back Barbara Evans, who has previously delivered some inspiring lectures to our students. Barbara, as well as being a former Tytherington parent, is Professor of Public Health Engineering at the University of Leeds and studies how to keep the environment clean and healthy. Her lecture was entitled ‘The Big Stink: Why is there Sewage in our Rivers’ and explored why many water companies have been discharging sewage from our toilets into our rivers and onto our beaches (yuck!). She explained how some water companies are arguing that this is unavoidable, while others are blaming climate change and poor planning decisions. Barbara revealed the real mind – bog – ling story behind these events, and what it will take to clean up our act in the future. Barbara explained some of the problems with our current sewage systems, such as the fact that many of them are very old (especially in the larger cities like London and Manchester), some houses were built on flood plains – or are not on the sewer system. What this means – in short – is that even in Macc, some of our poo is going into rivers. Not a comfortable thought. Most of it, though, ends up in Prestbury (in a sewage treatment plant.) In addition to outlining the problems, Barabara suggested some of the possible solutions to this to the sewage issue, such as introducing separate water drainage and sewage systems instead of combined systems which are less effective. She predicted that by the time the audience (excluding teachers!!) were 50, all the sewers in the country would be replaced; if they are not, we will all be up to our necks in poo by then! Not a pleasant prospect. She also explained that one thing we can all do to help is not to put anything down the toilet (except the obvious!!) such as wipes, or fat from cooking, for example.
As expected, Mr Botwe did not fail to delight and enthral students with his thought-provoking and topical lecture cryptically entitled ‘Is it Okay to Cancel People?’, examining whether it is acceptable to ‘cancel’ someone for something they say or post on social media. He explored some of the issues surrounding free speech and the so-called ‘cancel culture’, looking at whether this concept needs to be balanced against the right to protection from bullying and hate. Mr Botwe reminded us that free speech is not just about what we say or post on social media – art, music, video games – all these are also forms of expression. Mr Botwe invited the audience to discuss and explore some of the issues around censoring these forms of freedom of expression. An example of this was whether video games in which participants take part in illegal acts should be banned – a very thought-provoking question. The counter argument, as to why freedom of speech is important was also explored, and Mr Botwe alluded to Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution which was extremely controversial at the time he wrote The Origin of Species in 1859 but is now regarded as truth. Freedom of speech is important to help us acquire knowledge and get to the truth – but there may be an argument for limiting freedom of speech, if, for example, it results in harassment, vandalism, threats, or false claims. A very complex issue, and many members of the audience responded with some perceptive and insightful points and contributed valuably to the debate.
Our final lecture, given by Kirstin Beswick, a Barrister-at Law, was on the captivating topic of ‘How Does a Barrister represent Someone they Know is Guilty’, and she gave a brilliant insight into what a career in the law might involve. In answer to the above question, Kirsten revealed that what was much more difficult was prosecuting someone you believe to be innocent and run the risk of sending someone who is not guilty to prison, possibly for a very long time. In answer to a question from the audience about how she might detach herself from difficult cases, she replied that humour is important, but also an attitude of detachment and a rational rather than emotional approach is the key. As a barrister who has worked mainly in criminal and family law, Kirstin had some fascinating and sometimes gruelling tales of some cases she has been involved with, and her account of her career and experiences was gripping. She also had some extremely useful tips and advice for those interested in pursuing a career in law – not just as a barrister, but a solicitor, lawyer, paralegal – or even serving the community as a magistrate.
Once again, students at Tytherington were provided with a rich diet of challenging and relevant topics they could really get their teeth into. The students listened and responded with keen enthusiasm and engagement, participating in discussions and challenging all our speakers with some testing questions!
Many thanks to Barbara Evans, Mr Botwe and Kirsten Beswick for giving up their time to share their expertise and experience with our students.
If there is anyone in the school community who would like to take part and contribute to our lecture programme, please contact Miss Gannon or Mrs Burke at the school via telephone or email.
