Debating
Debating has a long and noble tradition in the Loreto ethos. We believe participation in debating fosters critical thinking, confidence, excellence in public speaking, research skills, competitive spirit and empathy - because you have to understand both perspectives on the motion.
Loreto Schools host their own Inter-Loreto debates annually, where students from all Loreto schools meet to debate each other formally, in a Mace format. Our Junior and Senior debators compete regularly on the University schools' debating circuit against students from other schools in Leinster. The Debating Society meets weekly at lunch-time for rousing debates on topical and timeless motions. All students are welcome to join the Society.
We are proud and delighted to hear that our past pupil Aisling O'Boyle (Class of 2014) was appointed as Ireland's UN Youth Delegate for 2018/2019. She will be working on the Sustainable Development Goals and representing young people at the UN.
While completing her degree in Trinity, Aisling continued the debating career she started here with us and worked as adjudicator and liaison with the universities for the Inter-Loreto competitions. Her skills as an orator meant that she was invited to speak at the UN on the importance of girls and young women in the development agenda. She spoke on that occasion as a representative of the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts.
Debating News
26 November 2021
Leinster Schools Debating - 2nd Round
Good luck to Aimee O'Neill (6th Year) and Mya Madigan (TY) who are competing in their 2nd round Leinster Schools' Debate tonight.
The team is opposing the motion "That this house believes sporting teams should be owned by their fans"
Best of luck girls from all in LCF.
21 November 2021
Call for entries - Trinity College Phil Speaks Public Speaking Competition
Calling any TY, 5th or 6th Year students interested in participating in Trinity College Dublin's PhilSpeaks Public Speaking Competition
Those interested should contact Ms Lea at debating@loretofoxrock.ie by this Friday, November 26th. Please click on the link below for details of the competition. No debating experience is necessary.
2 November 2021
Leinster Schools' Debating - 1st Round
Wishing the very best of luck to Eimear Brennan and Beth Thomas-Irwin (5th Year) who compete online in the First Round of the Leinster Schools' Debates tonight. The girls are proposing the motion "This house believes that schools should teach children to be sceptical of parental authority." Ms Lea
19 October 2021
Loreto Schools' Debating - Round 1
Good luck to two of our Senior Debating teams who are competing tonight in the first round of the Leinster Schools' Debates.
The motion for debate is "This House believes Irish should be compulsory for ALL schools on the island of Ireland."
Team One: Aimee O'Neill (6th Year) and Mya Madigan (TY)
Novice Team One: Hannah McDonald (5th Year) and Zehra Bari (TY)
14 April 2021
Leinster Schools' Debates Finals
Well done to Henrietta & Hilary, both compelling speakers at last night's live online final. While they did not 'come away with the spoils', everyone in Loreto College Foxrock is proud of both girls for their compelling speeches last night and indeed their many debating achievements in various competitions.
13 April 2021
Leinster Schools' Debates Finals - Best of Luck to Henrietta & Hilary
Loreto College Foxrock is proud of our two 6th Years who have reached the finals of the Leinster Schools Debates - a first time for our school!
Hilary and Henrietta Igbinomwanhia (as with all of our debaters at Junior and Senior level) have continued all this year to compete in debating tournaments and events online. The girls are now in the finals of the Leinster Schools' Debates which take place tonight - the first time our school has got past the semi-final stage. They have been training over Easter to oppose the motion "That this house would vaccinate the young before the old".
Best of luck to you both from everyone in the school community!
5 Mar 2021
Hilary & Henrietta & Isabel O'Keeffe Progress in Leinster Schools' Debates
Once again, Hilary and Henrietta Igbinomwanhia have triumphed by qualifying for the semi-finals of the Leinster Schools' Debates competition. Congratulations is also due to Isabel O'Keeffe who progressed as an individual speaker to the semi-final stages. A huge achievement for all three girls. We look forward to seeing what happens next. Best of luck.
Hilary and Henrietta have been busy training over the last couple of weeks for their virtual trip to Cambridge this weekend to debate in the Cambridge Schools' Competition. It's an extremely challenging competition. Best of luck to them both.
Many thanks to Ms Lea for all her hard work, helping to give the girls lots of practice and training.
3 Feb 2021
Congratulations to Hilary & Henrietta - Cambridge Schools' Debates Finalists!
6th Year students Hilary & Henrietta Igbinomwanhia successfully came through the Irish heats of the Cambridge Schools' Debates and have now qualified for the finals which will take place in March.
This is a superb achievement, with only four Irish schools qualifying for the finals in this prestigious competition. Normally, students would travel to the UK for the finals, but as that cannot happen this year, the event will take place online.
Well done girls - we are so proud of you both! Wishing you the very best of luck in the finals from all our students and staff.
29 Sep 2020
Debating Congratulations to Hilary & Henrietta
Congratulations to Hilary and Henrietta Igbinomwanhia from 6th Year who took part in the trials for the Team Ireland Schools' debating. Hilary was selected from the Leinster and Ulster trial to go forward for national trials for the Irish Schools' debating team. Best of luck from all in Foxrock.
4 Feb 2020
Leinster Schools' Debates
Congratulations to Maria O'Connor, Isabel O'Keeffe, Hilary Igbinomwanhia and Henrietta Igbinomwanhia who are all through to the Quarter-Finals of the Leinster Schools’ Debates on February 11th.
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