Debating

St Francis Debating Club Rochestown College has a strong tradition of participating in debating competitions. Each year students work together to improve their oral skills and practice debating techniques. Although moderated by staff, the club is student led and our senior debaters take time and work closely with our younger or newer members. 

Our debaters become more confident public speakers, are more critical thinkers and their interest in current domestic and world events helps them at a personal level, as well as to improve their skills across the school curriculum.

The club operates each Wednesday after school from 13.20-14.30 and during some lunchbreaks in the runup to competitions. Some of the societies we compete with each year include:

• The UCC and Trinity College Philosoph Society

• The Irish Schools Debating Council

• The Junior Debating National Mace

• The European Youth Parliament

• Cork City Schools Debating Competition.

In 2019-2020, we also began participating in Junior and Senior Level Model UN conferences and hope to continue this into the new academic year.All students are welcome and no prior knowledge of debating in needed.