Loganair National Gaelic Schools Debate 2023
Issued by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tha Comataidh Deasbaid Nàiseanta Loganair nan Àrd-sgoiltean Gàidhlig air leth toilichte innse gum bi Loganair, am buidheann-adhar roinneil as motha san Rìoghachd Aonaichte, a’ toirt taic do dh’fharpais na bliadhna-sa a-rithist.
Às deidh farpais air leth soirbheachail às dèidh COVID, tha Deasbad Nàiseanta Loganair nan Àrd-sgoiltean Gàidhlig 2023 a’ dearbhadh gur e farpais sgoinneil eile a bhios ann: tha 14 sgiobaidhean bho 14 sgoiltean air clàradh airson farpais na bliadhna-sa. Thèid a’ chiad dà chuairt a chumail ann an Steòrnabhagh, air 7mh agus 8mh den t-Shamhain 2023.
Bidh a' bhuidheann-adhair a’ toirt sgoilearan bho air feadh na Gàidhealtachd 's nan Eilean chun na farpais chliùiteach, a thèid a chumail ann an Steòrnabhagh.
Ann a bhith ag ainmeachadh an taic, thuirt Luke Lovegrove, Prìomh Oifigear Malairt Loganair: “Tha sinn air leth toilichte a bhith a’ toirt taic don iomairt ionmholta seo a-rithist. Tha Gàidhlig na pàirt deatamach de dhualchas na h-Alba, agus tha sinn moiteil ar taic a thoirt do thachartasan a tha a’ toirt cothrom do dhaoine òga na sgilean Gàidhlig aca a leasachadh.”
Thèid na ceithir sgiobaidhean le na comharran as àirde troimhe chun nan iar-chuairtean deireannach a bhios air an cumail ann an Dùn Èideann air Diciadain 29mh agus Diardaoin 30mh den t-Samhain. Tha a’ chomataidh a’ cur fàilte air ais do Joy Dunlop agus Aonghas Mac'Illinnein a bhios na britheamhan a-rithist agus còmhla riutha , airson a’ chiad uair, bidh Iain MacAmhlaigh. Bheir an t-àrd-ùrlar cothrom sònraichte do chom-pàirtichean na sgilean cànain agus deasbaid aca a leasachadh agus a thaisbeanadh am measg an co-aoisean, buidhnean leasachaidh Gàidhlig agus buill Pàrlamaid na h-Alba.
Thuirt Evelyn Coull NicLeòid, Cathraiche air Comataidh Rianachd Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Àrd-sgoiltean: “Tha sinn air leth toilichte a bhith air ais còmhla gus Deasbad 2023 a chuir air dòigh. Bu mhath leam taing shònraichte a thoirt do na buidhnean a leanas airson maoineachadh agus taic a thoirt seachad dhuinn air a’ bhliadhna seo: Loganair, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Riaghaltas na h-Alba, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba, Ùghdarras Teisteanas na h-Alba, BBC Craoladh nan Gàidheal agus Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu”.
Dh’aontaich Calum Iain MacLeòid, ball de chomataidh na Deasbaid, ri sin is e ag ràdh “Tha an Deasbad air leth luachmhor dha na sgoiltean againn. Tha e a’ toirt cothrom do sgoilearan measgachadh le sgoilearan à diofar cheàrnaidhean de dh’Alba agus cothrom sgilean ùra ionnsachadh. ’S e sgilean sònraichte a th’ ann an sgilean deasbaid – sgilean rannsachaidh, còmhradh air beulaibh dhaoine eile, ag obair mar sgioba agus a’ cur phuingean tarsainn ann an dòigh reusanta airson daoine a thoirt timcheall gu do bheachd-sa – ’s e sgilean a tha seo a neartaicheas misneachd sna sgoilearan agus sgilean a bhios feumail dhaibh fad am beatha. Tha sinn air leth taingeil dha na sgoiltean airson an obair chruaidh agus an taic ann a bhith a’ gabhail pàirt san fharpais seo bliadhna às dèidh bliadhna.”
Thuirt Comhairliche Calum Rothach, Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd “Tha sinn air leth toilichte gu bheil ullachadh airson Deasbad Nàiseanta Loganair nan Àrd-sgoiltean Gàidhlig a’ dol air adhart. Bha farpais 2022 gu sònraichte math agus bha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air leth toilichte gur e Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh a bhuannaich. ’S e tachartas cudromach a th’ anns an Deasbad air an leabhar-latha nàiseanta Gàidhlig is Cultarach leis gu bheil e a’ toirt com-pàirt do sgoilearan àrd-sgoile a tha a’ dèanamh Gàidhlig air feadh na dùthcha agus a’ toirt cothrom air leth do luchd-labhairt òga na Gàidhlig an sgilean cànanach agus deasbaid a chleachdadh air àrd-ùrlaran roinneil agus nàiseanta.”
Lean e, “Tha mi toilichte gu bheil Loganair a’ leantainn orra le bhith a’ cumail taic ris an Deasbad 2023. ’S e eisimpleir math a th’ ann far a bheil gnìomhachas agus an Roinn Poblach a’ cur ri pròiseact agus a’ co-obrachadh gus taic a chumail ri, agus sealltainn gun cuirear luach air cho cudromach ’s a tha, an luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig òg againn; ’s iadsan tosgairean Gàidhlig is culturail san àm ri teachd. Bu toil leam an cothrom a ghabhail taing a thoirt dhan a h-uile sgioba a ghabhas pàirt sa cho-fharpais. Gach buaidh is piseach orra!”
The Loganair National Gaelic Schools’ Debate Committee is delighted to announce that Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, will again sponsor this year’s competition.
Following on from a hugely successful return post-COVID, the 2023 Loganair National Gaelic Schools Debate proves to be yet another great competition: 14 teams from 14 schools have registered for this year’s competition. The first two rounds will be held in Stornoway, on the 7th and 8th of November 2023.
The airline will transport pupils from across Scotland’s Highlands and Islands to this prestigious competition, which will be held in Stornoway.
Commenting on the announcement, Loganair Chief Commercial Officer, Luke Lovegrove, said: “We are delighted to sponsor this excellent initiative once more. Gaelic is a crucial element of Scottish heritage, and we are proud to show our support to events that give young people the ability to develop their Gaelic skills.”
The four teams with the overall highest marks will progress to the semi-finals that will take place in Edinburgh on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th of November. The committee welcomes back judges Joy Dunlop and Angus Maclennan who will be joined for the first time by Iain MacAulay. The platform gives participants a unique opportunity to develop and showcase their language and debating skills amongst their peers, Gaelic development agencies and members of the Scottish Parliament.
Evelyn Coull Macleod, Chairperson of an Deasbad Nàiseanta’s Management Committee commented: “We are delighted to be back together organising the 2023 Deasbad. We would especially like to thank the following groups for providing funding and support this year: Loganair, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, SQA, BBC Gaelic Broadcasting and Glasgow City Council.”
Calum Iain Macleod, Member of the Deasbad committee agreed, adding “The Deasbad is a hugely valuable asset to for our schools. It provides pupils with the opportunity to mix with pupils from other parts of Scotland and gives them the opportunity to learn new skills. Debating skills are specialist skills – research skills, conversing in front of other people, working as a team and presenting arguments in a reasonable manner to bring people around to your point of view. These are skills that increase pupils’ confidence and that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. We are incredibly thankful to the schools for their hard work and support in participating in this competition year after year.”
Councillor Calum Munro, Chair of the Highland Council Gaelic Committee, further added, “We are delighted that preparations for the 2023 Loganair National Gaelic Debate is underway. The 2022 competition was excellent and Highland Council were delighted that Portree High School emerged as the triumphant winners. The Debate continues to be an important event on the national Gaelic and Cultural diary as it engages secondary pupils who study Gaelic throughout the country and it provides an exceptional opportunity for young Gaelic speakers to use their linguistic and debating skills on both regional and national platforms.” He continued, “I’m delighted that Loganair are continuing to support the Debate in 2023. This is a good example of both business and public sectors investing and collaborating in order to support and value the importance of our young Gaelic speakers, as they will be the Gaelic and cultural ambassadors of the future. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the teams who will be entering and taking part, and wish you all the very best”.
He continued, “I’m delighted that Loganair are continuing to support the Debate in 2023. This is a good example of both business and public sectors investing and collaborating in order to support and value the importance of our young Gaelic speakers, as they will be the Gaelic and cultural ambassadors of the future. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the teams who will be entering and taking part, and wish you all the very best”.Tha Comataidh Deasbaid Nàiseanta Loganair nan Àrd-sgoiltean Gàidhlig air leth toilichte innse gum bi Loganair, am buidheann-adhar roinneil as motha san Rìoghachd Aonaichte, a’ toirt taic do dh’fharpais na bliadhna-sa a-rithist.