Public Speaking

Chloe Keane receives her certificate and prize at the Soroptimist's Munster Finals in Bandon.

The Ard Scoil community has participated very actively in a number of prestigious public speaking and debating events, including the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition in which we have had national finalists. 

In addition, the school has traditionally participated in Concern School Debates and has a successful history in these debates.

For a bit of the flavour of the public competitions, we include a report below.

Ciara Gildea receives her certificate and prize at the Soroptimist's Munster Finals in Bandon.

Students in Southern Regional Final of Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition

Andrea Foley and Abigail de Souza, Ard Scoil na nDéise finalists in the Southern Regional Final of the Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition held in Cork, photographed with their English teacher, Mrs Evelyn Simons.

On Saturday February 25th Ard Scoil na nDéise students Abigail de Souza and Andrea Foley, who had been selected as the Waterford finalists of the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition, travelled to Cork for the Southern Regional final of the competition.  The event was attended by the Mayor of Cork who welcomed all competitors, adjudicators, Soroptimists and guests. 

Firstly, each girl delivered her speech on her chosen topic.  Abigail’s topic was “Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we curb our appetites”, a quotation from William Ruckelhous, 1990.  Andrea had selected “Education is simply the soul of society as it passes from one generation to another”, a quotation from G.K. Chesterton. 

Impromptu Speaking

The second part of the competition was the very challenging impromptu speech section.  Each competitor was given a topic and allowed just two minutes to prepare an impromptu speech which had to last two minutes, not an easy task!!  Both our students performed excellently, with great use of humour in their impromptu speeches.  We then enjoyed delicious refreshments while the adjudicators concluded their deliberations. To our delight Abigail was selected to proceed to the national final which will be held in Clonmel on Saturday, March 3rd and Andrea (who is currently in the middle of her Pre Leaving exams!) was singled out by the adjudicators for special commendation on her very witty impromptu speech. 

Well done to both girls, many thanks to the members of Dungarvan Soroptimists who travelled to Cork to support the students in the event, and a special thank you to Mrs Simons and Mr Veale who helped, encouraged and supported Abigail, Andrea and all our students who recently participated in our school public speaking competition.   We wish Abigail the very best of luck as she represents Ard Scoil na nDéise in the national final next week.

Dorothy Hughes, Principal, Maura White, Dungarvan Soroptimist, Abigail de Souza, Andrea Foley, Ard Scoil na nDéise finalists, Evelyn Simons, English teacher, Sheila Curran, Dungarvan Soroptimist at the Southern Regional Final of the Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition in Cork. 

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Ard Scoil na nDéise
Convent Road, Dungarvan
County Waterford, Ireland
Tel: (058) 41464
Fax: (058) 44801
E-mail: [email protected]