Debating Update

Debate Club

SENIOR DEBATING

We entered 4 teams into the annual UCD/Trinity Leinster Senior Schools Debating Competition: Michael Ryan (Transition Year) & Oisin Ryan (5th Year), Ben Heapes (5th Year) & Stephen Ryan (5th Year), Scott Donohoe (6th Year) & John Heavey (6th Year), and Mark Heavey (6th Year) & Max McKenna (Transition Year). Two of our teams – Scott & John, and Michael & Oisin have reached the quarter finals of the competition that will resume after Christmas. Best of Luck to them!!

Oisin Ryan & Michael Ryan also entered in the Aoife Begley Memorial Debating Competition held in Maynooth and we wish them well in their upcoming debating opposing the motion that ‘THB Religion Has No Place in Schools’.

JUNIOR DEBATING

The boys continue their work in debating, regularly attending maces with Rock being present at the Loreto on the Green, and Loreto Beaufort maces so far this year. Our 2nd/3rd Year speakers of Andrew Ryan and John Cawley (both 2nd Year), Aaron Ryan and John Huggard (both 3rd Year) are consistently lauded for their work.

FIRST YEAR DEBATING

The tradition of Transition Year students descending on the halls of Willow Park 1st Year has continued, this year with regular weekly debates co-ordinated by Transition Year students Michael Ryan and Niall Meagher (both Transition Year). The boys regularly attend maces and discuss many issues such as the validity of the US election, the importance of free speech and other such related issues.

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Special mention to Scott Donohoe (6th Year) who recently was awarded the ‘Senior Certificate’, with 1st Class Honours, in Public Speaking.

 

I thank Mr. Sheil, Ms. Corcoran and Student Council representative for Public Speaking and Debating, Scott Donohoe for their encouragement of Debating at Blackrock.