Tag Archives: Debating

5th Year Debates – 18th December 2017

5th year students were treated to two debates on Monday morning – Clann Eanna took on Clann Antoine and then Clann Froinsias took on Clann Padraig.

The first debate was on the motion that ‘This house believes that security cameras are a violation of our civil liberties.’ Speaking for Eanna were Jake, John and Chloe. All three speakers were well prepared and gave engaging arguments as to why we should not permit the use of these devices. Speaking for Antoine were Seyifunwa, Charlie and Shope. These three speakers were equally as informative and entertaining in their speeches. Both sides made reference to crime statistics, the use of CCTV in schools and towns, and to fictional texts such as ‘1984’. They made excellent rebuttal points against each other and delivered their speeches with confidence and passion. When the vote was thrown out to the audience, the motion was carried and Clann Eanna were declared the victors.

Chloe, John and Jake

 

Seyifunwa, Shope and Charlie

 

The second debate was just as lively as Clann Froinsias took on Clann Padraig on the motion that ‘This house believes the internet should be dismantled’. Speaking for Froinsias were Daniel, Conor and Immanuel. They were both entertaining and informative with their arguments. Speaking for Padraig were Mark, Nicolas and Cormac. The audience thoroughly enjoyed listening to speeches about gaming, socialising, cyberbullying and study. The vote from the audience saw the motion being defeated and Clann Padraig were victorious.

 

Immanuel, Conor and Daniel

 

Mark, Nicolas and Cormac

 

Katelyn did an excellent job chairing both debates and she was ably supported by Nicolas as timekeeper.

Katelyn and Nicolas

 

It was a very enjoyable morning for both speakers and audience and is sure to be repeated later in the year!!

Senior Debate

Last Friday the two 6th year English classes pitted their debating skills against each other. The students in 6th year are highly experienced and accomplished debaters and we all knew that it was to be a very close battle. The motion for the debate was taken from the 2016 Leaving Certificate Higher Level exam paper: ‘Young people should travel and see the world before joining the workforce or furthering their education.’

Both teams delivered speeches that were well researched and backed up by plenty of factual data as well as personal anecdotes. They stood in front of their peers with confidence and spoke with passion. This made the job very difficult for the adjudicators; however after much deliberations it was decided that the motion was carried.

We look forward to more high quality debates during the rest of the year!!

 

 

Karen, Alex and Rhys for the proposition
Karen, Alex and Rhys for the proposition

 

Rebecca as timekeeper and Conor as chairperson
Rebecca as timekeeper and Conor as chairperson

 

Adam, Christabel and Bobby for the opposition
Adam, Christabel and Bobby for the opposition

First year debate

A massive congratulations to class 1A3 which has emerged as the champions from last Friday’s 1st year debate. The three debates were hotly contested and many excellent speakers demonstrated their talent in trying to convince us of the merits of their given topic.

The first debate:
That city life is better than country life.
1A2 was represented by Luka McGrath, Jack Taaffe and Abdul Mhueez Olaosebikan for the proposition and 1A1 was represented by Rapha Diamond-Ebbs, Louis Mbikakeu and Evan Logue for the opposition. With well-researched and informative speeches, the motion was narrowly defeated.

Abdul, Jack and Luka from 1A2
Abdul, Jack and Luka from 1A2

 

Rapha, Evan and Louis from 1A1
Rapha, Evan and Louis from 1A1

The second debate:
That teenagers spend too much time on computers.
This motion saw 1A3 achieve their first victory with very well delivered speeches from Yasmin Hanratty, Emma Mullen and David Alabi for the proposition. Val Farrell, Ignas Prakapas and Anthony Ryan valiantly opposed the motion for 1A2.

David, Emma and Yasmin from 1A3
David, Emma and Yasmin from 1A3

 

Val, Ignas and Anthony from 1A2
Val, Ignas and Anthony from 1A2

 

The third debate:
That history is an important subject in school.
The history department at Franciscan College Gormanston heaved a collective sigh of relief as this motion was carried. The debating talents of 1A3 were again on display through the persuasive skill of Ruth Flanagan, Megan O’Toole and Sarah-Jane Byrne. The proved to be too skillful for the courageous debaters of 1A1 – Sarah Browne, Edward Hamilton and Ewan Costigan.

 

Sarah-Jane, Megan and Ruth from 1A3
Sarah-Jane, Megan and Ruth from 1A3
Sarah, Edward and Ewan from 1A1
Sarah, Edward and Ewan from 1A1

 

The amount of preparation put into each of the speeches was clear to see and this was a contest that every team wanted to win. The speakers did themselves and their teachers proud and we look forward to many more heated debates as these very hard working classes move into second year.

All first years attended the debates and the students who did not have the opportunity to represent their class this year are very eager to do so next year.

All first years would like to extend a very sincere thank you to Ms Ryan and Mr Buckley who were faced with the very difficult task of adjudicating all three debates and to Eoin Gormley and Sean Landers from 5th year who were our very capable Chairperson and Timekeeper.

Sean and Eoin from 5th year
Sean and Eoin from 5th year

Another debate topic to consider

Here is another debate topic for 2A1 – all students are to carefully consider their position on the motion and then comment on the blog. You are free to choose either side of the debate, but remember that you cannot be on both sides.

The motion is as follows:

‘This house believes that animals have rights.’

I look forward to reading your comments!

Easter homework for 2A1 English!

Over the Easter holidays I want all 2A1 students to contribute to the following debate:

‘That sports stars are no longer heroes, merely fame and money hungry mortals.’

You are free to choose either side of the argument, however you must develop any point that you make. One sentence will not suffice. If any other Junior students would like to contribute, they are more than welcome.

Enjoy the holidays!