Dingwall Pupils win BT Gaelic Debate at Parliament

Pupils of Dingwall Academy have won the finals of the BT Gaelic Schools Debate which took place yesterday evening (Tuesday 28th November, 2006) in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh.

Now in its 9th year the BT Gaelic Schools Debate is organised by Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) and sponsored for the last 8 years by BT Scotland.

Dingwall Academy hotly contested the final debate against 16 other Secondary schools from throughout Scotland and met Stornoway-pupils from the The Nicolson Institute in the finals to debate: ‘The nanny state has not gone far enough’ and ‘The nanny state has gone too far’.

Sixth year pupils Tessa Campbell, and Kenneth MacKenzie won the coveted debate trophy for Dingwall Academy with reserve 3rd year pupil Cara Coburn in attendance.

Graham MacKenzie, Rector of Dingwall Academy said: “I am immensely proud of them it is a fantastic achievement for our youngsters who won to take on a school as celebrated in Gaelic as The Nicolson Institute. They showed a tremendous confidence and it was clear that they enjoyed themselves and I was very proud to be there. They were a credit not only to Dingwall Academy but also to the Highlands.”

BT Scotland were the main sponsors of the Debate providing sponsorship of £15,000. BT Scotland's National Manager Brendan Dick said: “The ability to communicate effectively is the number one life skill and that's why BT has just launched its new £10m Better World Campaign, a three year initiative designed to ensure all young people in the UK get the skills and opportunities to improve the way they communicate. However, the quality of debate we've had demonstrates that these young Gaels are already developing and growing their speaking and listening skills and it was a terrific final in the Scottish Parliament.”

Donald Martin of Cnag and Chair of the Organising Committee said: “I congratulate both teams for producing first class debate. I think the surroundings in the Parliament inspired the pupils to produce their very best. Both teams were complimented by the adjudicators on an excellent performance.”

The adjudicators of the final debate were: Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chief Executive, Allan Campbell; Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig Chief Executive, Mairi Kidd; and BBC Gaelic Broadcaster Iain MacLean.

For further information please contact: Donald Martin, Comunn na Gàidhlig, Comunn na Gàidhlig, 5 Mitchell's Lane, Inverness IV2 3HQ tel: 01463 234138 fax: 01463 237470
e-mail: oifis@cnag.org.uk