Deele College take home Donegal ETB Debate Forum Cup

Donegal ETB Junior Debate Forum Cup Competition winners, Deele College, Raphoe, with Anne McHugh, Chief Executive, Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools and teachers Ms Tara Connolly and Ms Donna O’Brien. | Clive Wasson

placeholder image — Donegal ETB Junior Debate Forum Cup Competition winners, Deele College, Raphoe, with Anne McHugh, Chief Executive, Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools and teachers Ms Tara Connolly and Ms Donna O’Brien. | Clive Wasson

A number of secondary school students across Donegal took part in Donegal ETB’s Debate Forum

Deele College students have been crowned winners of the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) Junior Debate Forum Cup.

The Chief Executive’s Cup for the most impressive debater of the day was awarded to Róise Nic Ruaidhrí from Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny.

Magh Éne College in Bundoran took the honours in the Junior Plate competition, and Finn Valley College in Stranorlar won the Junior Rose Bowl competition.

Runners-up in the Junior Debate Forum event were Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Árainn Mhór Island, in the Cup competition, Coláiste na Carraige in the Plate competition, and St Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs, in the Rose Bowl competition.

Winner of the Chief Executive’s Cup for the most impressive debater of the day, Róise Nic Ruaidhrí from Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny, with Donegal ETB’s Ethos Coordinator Eamonn Ryan and Chief Executive Anne McHugh | Clive Wasson

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI)-sponsored award for Junior Debate Forum teacher mentor went to Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Árainn Mhór Island, teacher Dr Maire Benedict. This award was presented by TUI Assistant General Secretary Joanne Irwin.

The debating event for Donegal ETB’s junior students on Tuesday, November 10, saw teams from twelve schools battle it out in the opening quarter-finals.

Runners-up in the Plate Competition Coláiste na Carraige, with Dr. Martin Gormley, Director of Schools, Chief Executive Anne McHugh and teacher Ms Geraldine Hardy | Clive Wasson

They were the Abbey Vocational School in Donegal Town, Coláiste na Carraige, Crana College in Buncrana, Coláiste Ailigh and Errigal College in Letterkenny, Deele College in Raphoe, Finn Valley College in Stranorlar, Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Árainn Mhór Island, Magh Éne College in Bundoran, Moville Community College, Mulroy College in Milford, and St Catherine’s Vocational School in Killybegs.

Donegal ETB’s Ethos Coordinator Eamonn Ryan said, “Donegal ETB’s Junior Debate 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. The quality of the debates of these second-year students was superb.

“It is heartening to see our teenagers thinking critically and expressing themselves confidently and respectfully on issues that matter to them.”

Donegal ETB’s Director of Schools, Dr Martin Gormley, said, “Our Junior Debate Forum event is a great experience for all our students, and those who participated in today’s event were well coached and prepared for the debates by their teachers.

Winners in the Plate Competition Magh Éne College, Bundoran, with Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools, Chief Executive Anne McHugh, and teacher Mr Glyn Garvin | Clive Wasson

“We were delighted to welcome back some of our retired staff who, along with other ETB staff members, helped to Chair and Adjudicate during the day. I want to thank them for their support today and also the additional students on each of the adjudication panels who ensured participation of the student voice.”

This event for Donegal ETB Junior students complements the ETB’s Senior Debate Forum, which takes place in March each year.

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