Christianburg Wismar Secondary defeated Queen’s College in the finals of the 2014 JOF Haynes Memorial Inter-Secondary Schools debating competition at the Theatre Guild, Kingston on November 19.
According to a GINA press release, Christianburg Wismar Secondary displayed superior fluency and eloquence in the battle for words in defeating fellow finalist Queen’s College. The national competition commenced in April and culminated in September as a part of the Ministry of Education’s education month celebration.
Christianburg Wismar Secondary remained undefeated and also took the top honour of best speaker. The topic of the finals was – `The private sector has a corporate responsibility to invest resources to tackle pollution’- which Queen’s College opposed and Christianburg Wismar Secondary proposed.
The report said the Christianburg Wismar team presented their case with strong factual points to match their position and also demonstrated confidence. A new computer was given to the winning school through the compliments of Metro Office Supplies and the participating students received a trophy and cash prize.
This competition is in honour of the late Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence Haynes, who as a lawyer demonstrated oratorical skill and was considered the most brilliant and eminent lawyer of his generation. He began the competition 24 years ago but the ministry has since continued it following his death.
Leading up to the finals, the competitors participated at regional levels from which the winners progressed to the national level. The following were the regional representatives: Region One – Santa Rosa Secondary, Region Two – Anna Regina, Region Three – L’Aventure Secondary, Region Four – Diamond Secondary, Region Five – Bush Lot Secondary, Region Six – New Amsterdam Secondary, Region Seven – Three Miles Secondary, Region Eight – Paramakatoi Secondary, Region Nine – St Ignatius Secondary, Region Ten – Christianburg Wismar Secondary and Georgetown had Queen’s College as its representative.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Permanent Secretary, Delma Nedd were in attendance at the finals.
