This year for the first time, Ms. Crockett was delighted to find that her timetable included a 5th year debating class. Although the numbers were small at first, the class soon grew to include about 25 eager girls, ready to take the stage for the many public speaking and debating competitions coming up. First on the agenda was the Kilkenny Business Women's Association Public Speaking Competition, entered by Laura Sweeney, Lorna Raggett and Martha Mackey, who spoke about Herbalism and Alternative Medicines.

The next competition, held in our own school library was the Mental Health Public Speaking Competition and the school was represented by Mairead Dalton, Brid Walsh and Aine Mackey. Alice Tennyson and Tamera Madden travelled to Kilkenny CBS for the Soroptimists Competition where Alice, speaking on Mother + Career = ? came a very close 2nd!!

Finally, running from November to March was the Kilkenny Road Safety Debates organised by the Co. Council. In the first round, the team of Martha Mackey (captain), Lorna Raggett and Olive Kearney faced Castlecomer Community School opposing the motion Drink driving laws have an anti-social effect on rural Ireland. As the saying goes, one victory leads to another, and so, many more hours of sweat and anxiety took place before the team faced their 2nd round opponents of Loreto Kilkenny A team. Having already seen them in action in the first round the team knew that they would have a hard battle and so they were delighted to emerge as the winners. The motion was: Education rather than Enforcement is the best solution to Irelands Road Accident Problem. The Callan team were proposing the motion.

Now the team were into the County Final and the preparations began. A huge amount of time and effort was given by the team members. Ms. Crockett researched and continually redrafted the speeches. On March 11th in the Loreto Secondary School, the Loreto B Team argued against St. Brigid's who proposed the motion Road Accidents are Ireland's Greatest Social Evil. The Callan team won with Lorna Raggett winning Best Speaker. Duiske Abbey Trophies were presented to Ms. Crockett and the team. The debating team wish to thank the 4th and 5th years who came as supporters and the other students who they used to practise against. A special thanks goes to Ms.Crockett without whose hard work, experience and effort, great success would not have been possible.

Martha Mackey 5th Yr.