A Cork primary school debating team have reached the final of the all-island Concern Primary Debates competition.
The sixth class girls from St. Mary’s Senior Girls National School in Dunmanway defeated a team from Ballyadams National School in Laois in a semi-final in Dublin on May 25.
The young debaters successfully proposed the motion that ‘Ireland’s commitment to climate change is a load of hot air’ in the contest, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide.
The students from St. Mary’s will face Deravoy National School from Co. Monaghan in the Concern Primary Debates final which will take place on June 15 in The Helix in Dublin.
If St. Mary’s win the final it will be the second year in a row that the debating champions are from Cork because it was won last year by Ardfield National School in Clonakilty.
The winning team said they are delighted to have reached the final in a competition that had over 260 school teams participate this year.
“We are so proud to be part of our school debate team and really like having the opportunity to debate against other primary schools from all over Ireland,” said team captain Danielle Crowley-Healy.
The St. Mary’s team who took part in the semi-final were Danielle Crowley-Healy, Lauren Mawe-Downey and Georgina Farr, who are all 12-years-old.
Their team mentor Mairéad Twohig said the whole school and community are very proud of what they have achieved.
“It has been a pleasure to watch the pupils become so confident and competent in articulating their thoughts through the Concern Debates, and the knowledge they have gained about global issues through the debates is immeasurable,” she said.
“We are incredibly proud of our children’s achievement in reaching the finals and would strongly encourage any school to get involved with the Concern Debates.”
Concern’s Head of Active Citizenship, Michael Doorly, praised the young debaters and said he hoped they will become life-long advocates on behalf of the most disadvantaged people in the world.
"It's fantastic to see primary school children debating world issues and learning the great skills that come with that," he said.
“We congratulate all who took part in the competition and we are extremely proud of their efforts.
“A staggering 3,600 students took part this year as speakers, researchers, timekeepers, and chairpersons.
"You can see the many skills they have developed like critical thinking and public speaking, and the empathy they have for other points of view.
““We are very grateful also for the outstanding effort and support from teachers, parents and family members.”
The competition is run in partnership with 16 Education Support Centres and with funding from the government’s overseas development agency Irish Aid.
Anyone who would like their school to take part in next year’s competition is asked to ring 01 417 7733 or email [email protected].
