Debating Society Report 1966

This year, 1965-66, saw the introduction of regular sixth-form debating with the Sacred Heart School. It was generally agreed that both schools needed practice in inter-school debating and so the Committee took up the challenge. It was found that the only subjects which could be capably handled were the usual ones of religion, politics and sex.

The season started in February with a debate on religion. The motion was 'Religion is the biggest practical joke' and this was overwhelmingly carried. I only hope it does not show a trend in modern youth.

Another debate was held soon afterwards on marriage. 'This house believes that marriage is outdated'. This motion was treated very lively by both speakers and the floor. Some novel ideas about marriage were proposed but, even so, the motion was defeated.

These are just two examples of what motions were debated.

For the whole school the biggest event of the year, apart from the exams, was the school election. This was held on March 29th. The build up to this date was something in school history. It commenced a fortnight before the day with candidates, working through the Returning Officer, Mr. P. Devlin, arranging meetings and campaigns. Everybody went at it full-bloodedly with agents and workers campaigning and publicising on a large scale. Question time was held on March 28th. and proved tough for Candidates and Returning Officer alike. The resultant outcome was a Labour victory for Mr. S. M. Wilson, the first in school and debating history, and the Liberal was runner up.

The junior society gained a degree of authority and organised lunch-time debates which were very well attended.

In concluding, I would like to say that this has been one of the most successful years in the Debating Society's history.

P. D. Devlin.


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