CBC students Jack Palmer (6th year) and Leon Reilly (4th year) have been selected to represent Ireland at the 2020 World Schools' Debating Championships that will take place next July in Mexico City. They will make up part of the five member Team Ireland which also includes students from CBC Cork, Loreto College St Stephen's Green and Terenure College. 

Jack and Leon emerged successful from the team selection process that finished yesterday, Sunday October 6th. To qualify for the team, the boys took part in a series of regional trials and the two day national trials this weekend. More than seventy students from across Ireland took part in the trials and this was whittled down to a final twelve for the national trials, from which the team of five was selected. The trial process involved an assessment of their debating achievements, a general knowledge quiz and a large series of debates on the type of topics that they might face at the Championships. 

Of course, both Jack and Leon have both excelled at debating for CBC over the last few years. Jack is the current Leinster and National Champion at senior level, was the Leinster Champion and National Runner-up at junior level. Leon was the top speaker in Leinster and a National finalist at junior level last year. CBC debating has grown from strength to strength over the last ten years and Leon and Jack are first CBC students to be selected for the national team.

Team Ireland will spend the rest of the year training every weekend to prepare for the World Championships. They will research and prepare a vast array of topics, engage in practice debates against former team members and compete against teams from our nearest neighbours. Team Ireland are generously supported through fund raising and by the Department of Education and Science.