Marian girls fought hard to defend the Bishop Lyons' Shield at Catholic Cathedral College at the weekend – coming away with a respectable third place.

While the overall Shield winner was the home team, Marian can hold their heads high, winning Religious Questions and achieving five placings in six categories.

St Bede's College placed second in the competition.

Marian College Director of Religious Studies and team coach Abina Pope described this year’s Bishop Lyons’ as fantastic.

“The competition was incredibly stiff and the girls’ performances were nothing short of superb," she said. “We’re feeling very proud.”

Ms Pope noted the excellent hospitality and thanked Catholic Cathedral College for hosting the highly anticipated public speaking event.

Every year, talented students from seven Catholic secondary schools in the Canterbury Catholic Diocese compete in public speaking for the Bishop Lyons’ Shield.

The competition was established by Bishop Lyons in 1947, when he was Catholic Bishop of Christchurch.

Photos from the weekend

Religious Questions winners - Francesca Humphries, Emma Pearce, Rebecca Everingham, Keely Stuart

Debaters - Freya Young, Meg Elliot, Portia Bishop

Prepared Speech - Anna McKey, Molly Ford

Article added: Tuesday 09 April 2019