We, in St. Louis, see debating as a wonderful way to help students express their opinion and gain confidence in addressing audiences. Each student in second year has an opportunity to take part in public speaking, initially in class and then two from each class go on to represent their class in a final, with their year group as an audience. In fourth year students are invited to take part in a Mental Health Public Speaking Competition. This competition has proven to be very successful for us, having reached the county final several times and reaching the All Ireland final once .

Senior students also take part in the Leinster Schools Debating Competition. Over the years we have had much success here, having reached the quarter-final several times. In 2003, Aisling Ni Chaolain and Josesphine Curry were runners up in the Leinster final, and then winners of the All Ireland final. As a result they then went to London to represent Ireland, beating a strong team from Scotland. The following year Josephine and her new partner, Aisling Mohan, were again team runners up in the Leinster final, while Josephine was the individual winner. Josephine was also the team captain on the Irish Schools' team in Stuggarth, Germany, at the Schools World Debating Championship. As we start once again preparing for the debating season, we wish all our participants good luck and enjoyment!

An Ghaeilge
Anseo I Meanscoil Lughaidh, cuirtear beim laidir ar labhairt an dreanga. Glacann na daltai pairt I ndiospoireachtai agus in oraidiocht sa Chearthru Bliain. Is minic a bhionn trathanna na gceist I ngaeilge ann freisin. I mi an Mharta bionn Seachtain na Gaeilge ann agus is iomai imeachtai a bhionn ar siul idir dhramai agus cheolchoirmeacha. Is minic a chasten daltai treimhsi sa Ghaeltacht ag feabhsu a “mblas”. cuirtear beim freisin ar ard chaighdean sa Ghaeilge scriofa. Eirionn leis na himeachtai seo go leir aird an dalta a dhiriu ar shaibhreas na teanga agus ar an gcultuir Gaelach.