The school provides huge opportunity for students who are interested in Debating as an extra curricular activity, and has a proud tradition in this area in a number of competitions. The confidence and ability that these competitions foster in our students is something that will remain with them long after their time in UCT has come to an end.
Senior Cycle Debating Competitions
Gael Linn Irish Debating
Each year there is a team auditioned to participate in the Gael Linn debating competitions known as Cómortas Phiarsaigh. This is an All Ireland competition which gives young people a great opportunity to debate in Irish. The school has enjoyed great success in this recently, with an All Ireland victory in 2018.
German Debating
Over the past number of years, the Ursuline Secondary school has taken part in a German debating competition run by the Goethe-Institut. The German language debating competition provides a fantastic opportunity for our TY and fifth year pupils to learn the art of debating and with that, to better their language knowledge, especially their speaking skills.
Concern Debating
Probably the most well known national debating competition, the concern debates challenge schools to take on one another on a motion related to international development and aid. As past winners of the event, this is particular competition is always one that garners great interest, and as well as challenging the skills of the girls, it also helps to broaden their own understanding of the world we live in today.
Junior Cycle
At Junior Cycle, the school runs in house debating competitions for our First and Second Year students. These are run by the ever enthusiastic Mae Quinn, so generous with her time here in the school since finishing up her days at the top of the classroom. Practice takes place at lunch time a couple of days a week, with Mae on hand to lend her expertise to another generation of debaters in UCT.