Congratulations to our German Debating Team who narrowly defeated the students from Naas CBS on Monday 23rd October in the Siemens Senior Debating Competition. The motion was: "Co-educational schools prepare one better for life than single sex schools".  Our team of Meadhbh Broderick - Team Captain, Ellen Dempsey, Charlie O'Meara and Lizzy Rogers successfully argued (in German of course!) that the co-educational schools do indeed prepare students better for life than the single sex schools.

Meadhbh spoke about the historical background of single sex schools and the move towards mixed schools throughout Europe and in Ireland. She explained the importance of young people learning together. She referred to President Trump who had attended an all-boys school and suggested that had he had somebody like Angela Merkel sitting beside him, he may have been less "frauenfeindlich".

Ellen dealt with the importance of offering a wide choice of subjects, and wondered why the boys from the CBS did not do Home Economics - cooking being surely one of life's competencies. She also spoke of the Formula 1 competition which she had been a part of and which has enabled both male and female students from Presentation College to develop valuable skills in computing and physics.

Charlie focussed on the values of respect and tolerance which are learned and practised in a mixed school. He also spoke about bullying and the importance of having someone to talk to and who would notice if a student was having difficulties. A mixed school environment he argued was more conducive to a healthy outcome.

Lizzy spoke about the values and friendships developed through being in a mixed environment. She explained that projects like the "Wizard of Oz" show were excellent opportunities for male and female students to work together. This, she felt, is an excellent preparation for life. 

Our Chairperson Jack Williams very efficiently kept the debate moving and Natalia Sluzel was the time keeper on the day. A very special thanks to Shannon Willascheck and Ms. Byrne who helped prepare the team.