Liverpool College triumphed on Saturday when they became winners of the Magistrates Court Mock Trial Law Competition in Merseyside. The Magistrates’ mock trials are a national competition in which schools across the country analyse a court case and compete against each other. It aims to give Year 8 and Year 9 students an insight into the judicial system, the laws and how the courts function.
The event took place in Wirral Crown Court, in real court rooms, which were presided over by real Magistrates. The team, comprising of Year 8 Wilton Scholars, have been preparing for this event for several months and were incredibly fortunate to benefit from the support of Mrs Doran, Mrs Gill Ashworth (Senior Crown Court Prosecutor) and Judge, Mr Richard Baker, in preparing for the event. The team comprised of numerous individual roles including Magistrates, Legal Adviser, Prosecution Lawyer, Prosecution Witness, Defence Lawyer, Usher, Defence witness, Defendant and Court Reporter. During the competition, each role is scored individually meaning every pupil’s performance was vital. The event required weeks of preparation, both in school an at home, which culminated in an in school mock trial last week. Witnesses were expected to memorise their statements in order to answer the lawyer’s questions, and use their drama skills to convey their character. Lawyers were expected to come up with questions to bring forward their evidence from the witness, opening and closing speeches. Magistrates had to practise note taking skills while observing the trial, in order to make a decision as to whether the defendant was guilty or not. The legal advisor has to become familiar with the nuances of the law including the Turnball guidelines and Standard of Proof. Each part, regardless of its significance was integral to our success as a team.
After participating in a full day of trials against other schools on Saturday, the students were thrilled when announced overall winners of Merseyside – a truly incredible achievement.
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The U12 football team are celebrating an excellent term of football having finished their season 19 matches unbeaten, winning 17 and drawing two matches.
The U12s played their final match on their home patch on Wednesday versus Kings Leadership Academy, Warrington. The feedback from their school was that they were going to provide us with a tough match boasting some impressive results. Although the first half ended goalless, the College finishing unbeaten was never in doubt, as despite suffering the setback of hitting both the post and bar and having a goal disallowed in the first half, the U12s completely dominated the second half scoring two quick fire goals early on to allay any fears of defeat. The second half also showed that the importance of playing numerous matches and endless training sessions as our opposition ran out of steam and could not cope with the electrifying pace of the College forward line. Although it was our centre half who stole the show, Saadullah P provided much steeliness in defence and powering forward whenever the opportunity arose.
This has been a term of U12s football where every individual has played an important role in the team and each match has seen a different individual set up and demonstrate excellent leadership skills by taking charge of the game and encouraging others to improve their effort levels. The term of football has been an educational experience where they have learnt the importance of communication in the game, fighting to win each ball, tackle and playing football using the full width of the pitch to create numerous chances.
Well done to all the U12s, who are already planning for football in Y8 and playing 11-a-side.
Mr Cook (Sports Coordinator)
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