Hat-trick in German for St Finian’s College
St Finian’s College, Mullingar have once again proved they are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to arguing their case in German.
They have now won the All-Ireland Schools German Debating Competition, sponsored by Siemens, three times – in 2016, 2018 and 2022.
The school team competed in the final last week at DCU Alpha in Glasnevin against Tempelogue College, and they defeated the motion that mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations should be introduced in Ireland.
The competition begins in October and throws many and varied topics at the students. It requires demanding work throughout the year as the rounds progress.
The four students – Esther Beggan, Johanna Naughton, Maya Kamboj (captain) Rachel Holmes and Enda Keating – are studying for the Leaving Cert exams in June, so it is especially daunting given their workload.
This didn’t deter them and St Finian’s defeated Dundalk, Colaiste Eoin/Iosagain and St Leo’s, Carlow on the way to the final, taking on topics such as predicted grades, car-free Sundays, use of phones in the classrooms and finally Covid vaccines.
Covid had affected the competition in 2020, when it was called off, but it was back on track, online, for the initial rounds this year.
That didn’t effect the performances of Maya, Rachel, Johanna or Enda in the first ‘live’ debate since 2019. The judges were wowed by their passion, their excellent standard of German, the entertainment value and strong, well thought-out arguments.
They complimented them in particular on their confident performances without using flashcards.
Maya, as captain, had a more arduous role, in that she had to deliver two speeches – which she did flawlessly as in every round.
Johanna was clinical in her presentation, yet endeared herself to her audience with her confidence and passion. One would be in no doubt having listened to Rachel with her strong stage presence and remarkable poise, and Enda delivered his speech with flair and brought the audience onside with his natural way with humour.
His likeability factor won the jury over in each round and he was also the proud recipient of the Best Speaker Award on the day of the final.
The whole St Finian’s College community offer congratulations to the team on their achievement, and congratulations and thanks to their mentors Kathy Jameson and Esther Beggan, German teachers at St Finian’s.