Debating final was a very close call
THE FINAL of the Wexford Primary Schools’ debating competition was held recently in the Farmer’s Kitchen and it proved to be a closely contested event.
Rathangan National School faced off against their counterparts from Murrintown in the final and they debated the motion that ‘advertising during children’s television programmes should be banned’.
The proposing team was Rathangan which was composed of Eve Donohoe (Captain), Ella Benson and Orla Byrne while the opposing team was composed of Mary Roe (Captain), James Hegarty and Róisín Alouf.
The debate was Chaired by John Kelly, from Rathangan NS, and he was very impressed by the arguments put forth from both sides.
Sixth class pupils from both schools were in attendance along with teachers, Kevin Murphy and Johnny Murphy.
The parents of the team members were also among those present.
The Principal in Murrintown, Maureen Gilbane, and her sister, Ita Cunningham, from Rathangan school, had prepared their respective teams to the highest standard and that was evident on the day in the manner with which both teams performed.
The adjudicators, who complimented the teams on how they presented themselves, included Don and Phil Heenan, and Senan Lillis.
The teams that represented Danescastle and Crossabeg National Schools in the semi-finals were also present at the final and the Principal of Ballymitty National School, Audrey McCarthy, had 22 children from Fifth Class at the event as they will be competing next year in the competition.
The final was very exciting and full of tension and the adjudicators were left with a tough choice to make as to who posed the stronger argument.
Don Heenan announced the result and revealed it was a split decision from the adjudicators with Rathangan ultimately defeating Murrintown by the smallest of margins.
Mr Heenan praised both teams for the high standard of their content and delivery and he also highlighted the importance of respectful debate in society and said the children on both teams set a great example for everyone.
Mr Lillis presented the cup to Rathangan’s Captain, Eve Donohoe, while Mr Heenan presented medals to both teams.
The Principal of the winning school, Nicola Roche, thanked County Wexford Education Centre for sponsoring the cup and medals. Ms Roche was also the coordinator of the competition and in that capacity she presented Certificates of Participation to the semi-finalists from Crossabeg and Danescastle.
The two finalist teams then made presentations to the adjudicators and Eve Donohoe, speaking on behalf of both teams, thanked the teachers and fellow-classmates for their ongoing support throughout the competition leading up to the final.