Debating and Public Speaking

Public speaking and debating are an integral part of our college life. They allow pupils to build self-confidence, character and social skills, and to work as part of a team.

Pupils in every year are involved in public speaking or debating of some sort – from class debates and school leagues in the junior cycle to Concern, Rigby Jones, Soroptomist and other public competitions for transition, fifth and sixth year students.

In addition, senior students have an opportunity to represent the school in Irish, German and French debating competitions.

If any student is interested in getting involved in debating, please see Miss Kelly in PF3.

 

Debating and Public Speaking Overview 2010 - 2011 to date

First term has started well for the Senior Debating and Public Speaking teams.  Phoebe O’Leary, Grainne Carr, Eoghan O’Sullivan, Sarah Jeffers, Molly Shea and Mary-Ellen Hynes competed strongly in the Denny Leinster Schools’ Debating Competition in Trinity and UCD. Eoghan O’Sullivan and Sarah Jeffers  won their debate to go on to the next team round and Grainne Carr will continue on as an individual speaker. Well done to all!

The German Debating team (Ralph and Evan Hurley O’Dwyer, Aoife Keane and Jill McTernan) began the Siemens GDI debating competition in good style with a win over Holy Family Secondary School. The French debating team (Ralph Hurley O’Dwyer, Mary Jean Dore, Cathy Carpenter and Lorna Cudmore) have also progressed to the second round of the Alliance competition. Their next debate against St. Michaels is set for 17th of November.

In Irish debating, our Feachtas debate took place on Tues 12th Oct in the college. The motion was 'Is saoranaigh maithe iad daoine oga na tire seo' (that the youth of Ireland are good citizens).  We were debating against the Ghaelcholaiste so the standard was very high. Our three speakers did their best on the night but the win went to the Gaelcholaiste. Well done to Captain Conor Sheridan, Dearbhla Ryan and Oisin Mac Aodhghain.

Other competitions will be starting in November; including Rigby Jones, MHI, Soroptomist and Gael Linn competitions, as well as some Mace debates for seniors.

In Junior Public Speaking, congratulations to Domhnaill Murphy who represented the college in the Poetry Aloud Competition in the National Library. Other junior public speaking and debating competitions will begin in January.