A sixth form RE Conference for Year 12 Whitchurch students took place in the Dutch Barn Centre in March, based on the theme of “Sanctity of Life”.

Professor the Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, who is an expert in palliative care and is based in Velindre hospital was the key note speaker assisted by Dr Victoria Wheatley (another expert in this field of medicine).

Religious Studies A level pupils put a number of probing questions to the speakers and the whole debate was chaired by Phil George of BBC Radio Wales and the Green Bay production company. Students participated by using coloured voting cards to indicate their views and many asked questions individually, including some of our European students.

The afternoon session involved speakers from major world faiths, participating in a “Question Time” style forum on the sanctity of life debate. Father Richard Readon of St Teilo’s Catholic Church, Glyn Austin (Anglican) and Jane Daly of the Cardiff Buddhist Centre were given some difficult questions about whether Euthanasia should be legalised.

The conference was attended by over 200 students and fulfils the RE requirement for the Key Stage 5 curriculum. The pupils responded with respect and maturity to the issues raised and were congratulated on their behaviour by Professor Finlay and indeed all the speakers involved. Every student was given reading material on the Euthanasia debate which may well assist studies in their ‘A’ level subject areas.

Thanks are extended to all our speakers, the students who attended, staff who supported and the RE department for their impeccable organisation.