Debating

Debating is an integral part of school life in Our Lady’s College.

A large number of students at senior and junior level enjoy taking part in school debates and in debating competitions. To date our students have taken part, qualified for finals and won competitions such as J.E.D.I, Denny senior and junior debating competitions, U.C.D Senior Schools Mace debates and Oxford Junior Debating Competition, to name but a few.

Emily Walker and Tara Gallagher came eighteenth out of sixty eight in the recent international youth debating competition held in Oxford, England. This was a great achievement for the girls as they were against stiff competition from both Ireland and Great Britain.

Our latest achievement has been to win a very prestigious debating award – the U.C.D. senior schools mace competition. Ruth Hoey and Emily Walker put in an outstanding performance, speaking in seven debates between Friday 17th October and Saturday 18th October, to lift the cup for Our Lady’s College.

The girls enjoy passionately arguing ideas from various points of view as well as the fun they have while taking part in the various competitions.

Students from Our Lady’s College have gone on to represent various universities at international level in debating. However all are still willing to advise, encourage and help with the debating club in our school where they all started out.

Debating in German

Since 2003 the school has participated in the All-Ireland German Debating competition sponsored by Siemens which involves 30 to 40 schools from all over Ireland. Our Lady`s College succeeded in reaching the All-Ireland Finals on two occasions in this short time. In 2008/9 our debating team obtained entry straight into round two, and our preparations are well under way. Maybe this could be our lucky year!

For more details please contact Ms. Travers