Our Concern debaters began the League Phase of the Concern Debates competition by proposing the motion that ‘Africa will regret its reliance on China.’ This debate took place on Thursday, 12th October 2023 against Pobalscoil na Trionoide, Youghal, Co. Cork. Rebecca Beecher, one of our fifth year students, did a great job of captaining the team and she was ably assisted by her teammates: Skye Sheedy, Cáit O’Higgins and Aengus Price. Lily Cahill was our Chairperson for this debate with Roise O’Donovan acting as our timekeeper. It was a very insightful and entertaining debate which concluded with a majority win for Pobalscoil na Trionoide. This means that KCS came away from this debate with one point. The adjudicator for this debate remarked on our students’ good understanding of the subject. She mentioned that the team had very good, clear links back to the motion which highlighted the relevance of any points that were made. She noted that sources were referenced and were generally reputable and well-known. The students demonstrated passion throughout the debate across the board, with the adjudicator commenting “you all really showed off that you have looked into the motion and considered a variety of ideas.” Our captain defined the motion well and the team’s arguments were outlined and summarised well. Although the outcome is not what the team were hoping for, the students can be proud of their performance in the first debate of 2023.  

The second debate in the Concern Debates League Phase had our debaters opposing the motion that ‘African nations must be allowed to develop fossil fuel resources to help lift their people out of poverty.’ This debate took place on Tuesday, 21st of November 2023 against Coláiste Muire, Cobh, Co. Cork. A very challenging motion to oppose and our TY debaters did an excellent job of confronting this challenge. Cáit O’Higgins did a fantastic job of captaining the team and they were ably assisted by their teammates: Martin Hickey, PJ Crowe and Skye Sheedy. Sandra Samoilenko acted as our timekeeper, and as we were the opposing school for this debate, we did not need to have a Chairperson. Both KCS and Coláiste Muire gave very strong arguments in this debate and created stiff competition for the alternative teams. The debate concluded with a unanimous win to Kinsale Community School, with KCS coming away with four points, which means that after the second round in the League Phase, Kinsale Community School had five points. The adjudicator commented on the high levels of research, understanding and thought that went into this debate. Sourcing was consistent and varied. They noted how confident our speakers were, using persuasive techniques throughout speeches. Our captain, Cáit O’Higgins’ response to the definition was convincing. The team’s arguments were well laid out and our captain gave an excellent summary and defence of team’s arguments. There was a great display of teamwork. The entire team should be very proud of all the work they have achieved. 

The third and final debate in the Concern Debates League Phase had our debaters proposing the motion: ‘Big business is indifferent to the Sustainable Development Goals'. This debate took place on Wednesday, 13th of December 2023 against Millstreet Community School, Co. Cork. Once again, Cáit O’Higgins stepped up to the plate as captain and did a brilliant job of captaining the team and they were ably assisted by their teammates: Ellie Sheedy, Liam Matthews and Skye Sheedy. An incredibly interesting and well-argued debate which KCS won with a majority win. This means that the team walked away with three points, leaving them with a total of eight points at the end of the league phase. The adjudicator noted that the students had great knowledge and understanding of the topic, it was clear that a lot of research went into the debate. The teams arguments were relevant and they made great use of sources. The team had some good refutations and rebuttals. Some great persuasive techniques were used by our debaters and they made very logical arguments. Our captain, Cáit, excellently defined the motion, they had a good outline of arguments and summary and they made good rebuttals in their closing speech. A very successful first term of debating for Kinsale Community School all in all.  

Due to the incredible success of this year's Concern Debates team, they will now progress into the Knockout Round which will take place in January. This is an incredible achievement, the team follows in the footsteps of great successes from our 2022/2023 Concern Debates team. We wish to congratulate our young group of debaters on their incredible success, and we wish them the best of luck in the upcoming Knockout Round. The team will start the Knockout Round by proposing the motion: ‘Properly regulated, Artificial Intelligence will be a force for goof in our world.’ They will debate against Carndonagh Community School, Co. Donegal. We wish the team the very best of luck.  
 
A huge thank you to Mr. Shane Hartnett and Ms. Janet Forrest for all the work they have done with the Concern Debates team this year.