Skilful students’ shine in union debate-off
An enlightening and expertly presented New Ross Credit Union school’s debate involving students from Our Lady of Lourdes and St Mary’s secondary school took place recently.
The students from Our Lady of Lourdes proposed the motion that social media and social media websites are having a negative effect on young people today, an issue that is certainly very topical at the moment. The girls faced tough opposition from the students on the St Mary’s team but the judges declared the students from Our Lady of Lourdes as the winners on the night.
Speaking on behalf of the adjudicators, Ray Lawlor congratulated both teams, saying: ‘It was an excellent display of presentation and debating. Each team provided us with well thought-out, well sourced and researched arguments.’
Mr Lawlor said the content and presentation levels were exceptionally high for schools debating teams.
‘Both schools used teamwork and strategy to argue their position. Rebuttal, the essence of debating, was well used. It was very difficult to decide between the teams as there was so little between them and the adjudicators advised the participants to avail of any opportunity to work on their presentation skills,’ Mr Lawlor said.
Adjudicators on the night were Nina Doyle, Milo Walsh, Ray Lawlor and Sean Furlong was MC.
The schools debating event was sponsored by New Ross Credit Union.