It is said that Debating is a sport truly worthy of the Olympics – it trains people to be analytical, critical, and quick thinkers as well as helping them become persuasive speakers, note-takers, researchers and speed readers. Indeed debating does not only teach a person how to win an argument, but also teaches a person a great amount of life’s essential skills.

Such skills were evident in Scoil Chríost Rí recently when the school held the final of the 3rd Year Debating competition. On the day a combination of both teams and individuals were faced with motion ‘This house believes a sugar tax should be introduced in Ireland’. Each speaker made both interesting and informed arguments either proposing or opposing the motion. Those in favour highlighted the benefits to be accrued from such a tax including a reduction in obesity and increased tax revenue while those opposed cited the recent example of water charges to argue that we have enough of taxes as it is and that the only way to prevent obesity is to ‘teach not tax’.

After a very interesting engagement between the debaters in front of an attentive audience the judges, which included a member of the CEIST team had a difficult decision to make – who had won the argument? In the end the Team winners were Rebecca Keane and Helen Byrne while Doreen Onejeme emerged victorious in the individual category. Interestingly the winning team had proposed the motion while Doreen opposed it.

CEIST would like the acknowledge the courageous and competence of the students who debated on the day as well the work of English teacher Ms. Edel Griffin who organised this enlightening and educational event.

Winning Team Members Rebecca Keane and Helen Byrne (Centre) with Cliodhna Nic Ghearailt (right) and Deborah Corcoran (left) members of the school’s Debating Committee.

Pictured above Individual Winner in the Debating Final Doreen Onejeme.

Justin Brown, CEIST Faith Leadership and Governance Co-ordinator presents winner Rebecca Keane with her prize.