CHANEL HOSTS ANNUAL MEA DEBATE
On Wednesday, 1st May Chanel College hosted the annual MEA debate for 1st years. Eighteen students from St Mary’s College, Dundalk, C.U.S, Leeson St and Chanel College were faced with the challenge of participating in an intensive debating competition. For the first time ever, students were arranged into six teams of three rather than competing individually. Each team was made up of students from the three Marist schools. This allowed students to get to know each other and work together collaboratively.
Each team selected a team name and captain. Topics were chosen and teams were assigned to either proposition or opposition. Senior students were on hand to coach and support the teams as they brainstormed ideas and prepared their speeches. Students were given printed articles to research and search for any relevant evidence to support their points.
Six teams participated in the first round. Students stood behind a lectern and spoke for 45 seconds with captains delivering closing speeches for one minute. Adjudicators from fifth year and transition year had some very tough decisions to make as the standard was high. Points were awarded for coherent content and persuasive delivery.
‘The Celtics’ were the team awarded the most points and they automatically secured a place in the final. The two other winning teams battled it out to proceed to the final, with “The Newbies” eventually claiming the coveted 1st prize.
Jean Linnane
Collège Chanel
All the participants and their coaches.
