Errigal College wins Donegal Education and Training Board Senior Debate Forum Cup

The annual Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) Senior Debate Forum Cup has been won by Errigal College in Letterkenny.

Crana College in Buncrana took the honours in the Plate competition, and St Catherine’s Vocational School in Killybegs won the Rose Bowl competition.

The debating event for Donegal ETB schools took place on Wednesday, March 18 in Letterkenny.

Runners-up in the event were Moville Community College in the Cup competition, Deele College, Raphoe, in the Plate competition, and the Abbey Vocational School in Donegal Town, in the Rose Bowl competition.

The event saw teams from twelve ETB schools compete in the opening quarter-finals. They were Crana College in Buncrana, Errigal College and Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny, Finn Valley College in Stranorlar, Deele College in Raphoe, Moville Community College, Magh Éne College in Bundoran, Mulroy College in Milford, Coláiste na Carraige, Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Arranmore Island, St Catherine’s Vocational School in Killybegs, and the Abbey Vocational School in Donegal Town.

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 The awards, which were presented to the winning teams by Donegal ETB’s Chief Executive Anne McHugh, also saw the Chief Executive’s Cup for the best individual debater on the day go to Moville Community College student Peter O’Gorman.

A new award, the Debating Mentor Award, was awarded to the teacher of the winning team. Sponsored by the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), this award was presented to Errigal College English teacher Rosie McHugh by TUI Assistant General Secretary Joanne Irwin.

Students debated for and against a range of motions reflecting the five ethos values of an ETB school: excellence in education, care, equality, community, and respect. 

The motions included that artificial intelligence does more harm than good in the education system; that Ireland should follow Australia’s example and ban social media for under-16s; that Universal Basic Income would help reduce Ireland’s economic inequality and that schools must change to reflect the country’s increasingly diverse population; that a school without a uniform loses its sense of community; and that modern Irish society shows insufficient respect towards older generations.

Winners in the Plate Competition Crana College, Buncrana, with Chief Executive Anne McHugh, Director of Schools Dr Martin Gormley, retired teacher Mary Galbraith, and teacher Laura Keogh

Donegal ETB’s Ethos Coordinator, Eamonn Ryan, said: “Donegal ETB’s Senior Debating Forum offers a unique opportunity for ETB students across the county to come together and respectfully debate issues of national and local concern through the lens of our Core Values. It is heartening to see our teenagers thinking critically and expressing themselves confidently and respectfully on issues that matter to them.”

Winners in the Rose Bowl Competition St Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs, with Chief Executive Anne McHugh, Director of Schools Dr. Martin Gormley, teachers, and ETB member Geoffrey Browne

Donegal ETB’s Director of Schools, Dr Martin Gormley, said: “It was a great experience for all our students who were well coached and prepared for the debates by their teachers. We were also delighted to welcome back some of our retired staff who, along with other ETB staff members, helped to Chair and Adjudicate during the day. There were also students on each of the adjudication panels, which helped to promote the student voice.”

Donegal Education and Training Board manages fifteen of the county’s twenty-seven post-primary schools and is a trustee partner for eight Community and Comprehensive schools.

More than 6,000 students attended Donegal ETB schools in the last academic year.