Concern Primary School Debating Competition
The Primary School Debating Competition has successfully taken place in Kilkenny Education Centre for the past ten years. During the 2015-16 academic year, Concern Worldwide joined with participating Education Centres throughout Ireland to facilitate Primary Debating.
The Debating Competition is aimed at Senior classes in Primary schools; Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes. There is no charge for entry into the Competition and the Centre can accommodate a maximum of 32 Teams. Participating schools compete against other schools on a knock-out basis, culminating with a local winner. Participating schools have found the overall experience of the Competition to be educationally advantageous and a great benefit in developing oral language skills.
2020-21
The overall winner of the Competition in the Kilkenny Education Centre catchment area in the 2020-21 academic year was Scoil Bhríde N.S., Paulstown Team #1. St. Leonard's N.S., Dunnamaggin and Presentation Convent N.S., Castlecomer Team #1 were awarded second and third place respectively. Congratulations to all three Teams!
2021-22
The overall winner of the Competition in the Kilkenny Education Centre catchment area in the 2021-22 academic year was St. Leonard's N.S., Dunnamaggin. Their Team successfully opposed the Motion 'We need to pay more for our clothes to fight fast fashion'. Scoil Bhríde N.S., Paulstown were worthy finalists, and their Team was awarded second place. Newtown Dunleckney N.S. and St. Michael's N.S., Danesfort were awarded joint third place. Congratulations to all four Teams!
In March 2022, St. Leonard's N.S., Dunnamaggin proceeded to the national stages of the All-Ireland Concern Primary School Debating Competition, narrowly losing out to Holy Family Senior School, Portlaoise, in the Knockout Round. Heartiest congratulations to St. Leonard's N.S., Dunnamaggin on their fantastic achievement!!
2022-23
The overall winner of the Competition in the Kilkenny Education Centre catchment area this academic year, 2022-23, was Scoil Bhaile Nua Dún Leicne, Dunleckney, who now progress to the national stages of the Competition commencing in late March 2023. Their Team successfully proposed the Motion ‘If we really care about climate change, we should all fly less’. Presentation Convent N.S., Castlecomer were worthy finalists; their Team was awarded second place. St. Joseph’s N.S., Clinstown and St. Leonard’s N.S., Dunnamaggin were awarded joint third place. Congratulations to all four Teams!
In March 2023, Scoil Bhaile Nua Dún Leicne, Dunleckney proceeded to the national stages of the All-Ireland Concern Primary School Debating Competition. Having successfully proposed the Motion 'Protestors should give up on disruptive action' against Danescastle N.S., Wexford in the National Knockout Round, Scoil Bhaile Nua Dún Leicne, Dunleckney progressed to the next Round. Heartiest congratulations to Scoil Bhaile Nua Dún Leicne, Dunleckney on their fantastic achievement!!