Once again this year the Senior Debating team will take on the challenging task of participating in the ‘Concern’ National Debating Competitions. The debates focus around issues of development and equality and a lot of research and time is put into each student’s four minute speech. The team won their first debate against John Scottus Secondary school in Donnybrook on Tuesday 11th November opposing the motion ‘Ireland must deliver on its 0.7% overseas aid promise’; a tough task. The next debate is here in the college against St Joseph of Cluny where they must convince the judges that ‘Scotland should have voted for independence.’ The next debate is away to Jesus and Mary College, Our Lady’s Grove on February the 9th to propose the motion ‘The Ebola epidemic demonstrates the international communities’ indifference to Africa.’ The final debate is in Sandford Park school, where the students will debate ‘Ireland’s commitment to tackling climate change is a load of hot air.’
Having taken on and beaten, two of the four schools in previous years, confidence is high and if the boys gain enough points they will continue to the knockout phase in the competition; with the overall winners traveling to Africa to see one of the ‘Concern’ projects in action! All spectators, parents and students in the college, are welcome to attend and participate in the lively open forum that follows each debate! We wish the team the very best of luck.