St Thomas of Canterbury College wins Bishop Lyons Shield

This year’s competition was held last month at St Bede’s College – the first time St Bede’s had hosted the competition since 2015. Students competed in debating, prepared speech, impromptu speech, Scripture reading and religious questions.

In speeches, students expressed emotions and formed ideas, debating teams stood steadfast in belief and competitors explained the meaning of faith and the Word. All seven schools demonstrated their dedication, time and practice in their efforts.

The event went down to the last round, religious questions, with St Thomas of Canterbury taking the shield home. The St Thomas debating team won that portion of the competition for the first time in the college’s history.

Outside of competitions, students connected, united through Catholic faith, finding joy in the community around them – even trading blazers, badges and praise.

Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen celebrated Mass at the St Bede’s College chapel, with all the teams taking part. To have so many young people there, sharing their faith, was something quite special, one observer said.

The Bishop Lyons Shield competition will take place at Timaru’s Roncalli College next year.

FULL STORY

St Bede’s runner-up at Bishop Lyons’ Shield (By Rachel Pitcaithly/St Bede’s College)

Bishop Lyons 2025 (By Marcus Quinanola/ St Thomas of Canterbury College)