Debating success for Emper NS

A debating team from Emper NS won the Athlone Education Support Centre Concern Final at the Concern Debates competition on Wednesday 21 February. It is a fun educational programme aimed at senior primary students, run in conjunction with Education Support Centres across Ireland.

Emper NS proposed the motion and Horseleap NS opposed the motion that ‘The business sector has the most important role in achieving the SDGs (UN Sustainable Development Goals) in Ireland’.

Emper defeated Horseleap in a close competition, and pupils were applauded for their excellent delivery of the topic. All received praise from the experienced debate adjudicator Linda Golden and Concern’s representative Ruth Lynam. Stephanie Keating (director of Athlone Education Centre) commended both teams for their confidence and delivery.

Principal of Emper NS, Mrs Kathryn Keenan, said the Concern Debating Competition was an opportunity and a learning curve for participants, who developed public speaking skills and strategies for self-expression in a dignified, respectful, and persuasive manner.

She extended “warmest congratulations to” team captain Matthew Kiernan and team members, Charlie Flanagan, Edward Kiernan, Ava Hunt and Ethan Boyce.

“We extend a sincere comhghairdeas to all children, staff members and parents from our expert team of researchers, to the chairperson, timekeeper and debate speakers who showed incredible diligence, dedication, teamwork and stamina throughout the competition to date. The Emper NS community are proud of every debating participant.

“We now look forward to continuing to the next level of the competition, where students will debate against other regional teams in the knockout stages of the national programme. Sixteen schools nationwide will take part in eight debates in the week beginning March 18. We wish team Emper NS continued success at national level.”