O’Shea Shield 2019

WelCom June 2019: Congratulations St Patrick’s College – Wellington O’Shea Shield 2019 Winners Congratulations to St Patrick’s College Wellington, the winners of the 2019 O’Shea Shield. The 73rd O’Shea Shield was…

WelCom June 2019:

Congratulations St Patrick’s College – Wellington O’Shea Shield 2019 Winners

Congratulations to St Patrick’s College Wellington, the winners of the 2019 O’Shea Shield.

The 73rd O’Shea Shield was held at St Peter’s College, Palmerston North, over the weekend of 11 and 12 May.

The O’Shea Shield is a public speaking competition contested for each year by the 17 secondary Catholic colleges in the Wellington and Palmerston North dioceses.

Photo: Kieran Baird/St Peter’s College


Kevin Shore, Principal, St Peter’s College, Palmerston North

St Peter’s College Palmerston North Team, Runner up.


Garin College Nelson, Sacred Heart College Lower Hutt and Bishop Viard College being welcomed at the Pōwhiri.

The 73rd O’Shea Shield was held at St Peter’s College Palmerston North over the weekend of 11 and 12 May. The occasion was blessed with good weather and the 17 schools of the Wellington and Palmerston North dioceses plus a visiting school, De La Salle College from Auckland, enjoyed a weekend of building community within the competitive context of the performing arts.

Chanel College Drama Performance.


St Peter’s College Drama Team, Runner Up in Drama.

St Peter’s College hosted the debating, oratory, impromptu speech, religious questions, junior prepared speech and English and Te Reo Scripture reading over the two days. The Religious Drama was held at the Regent Theatre, which proved to be a magnificent venue for the students to showcase their dramatic skills. Congratulations to the St Bernard’s College Drama Team who proved too good on the night with their inspired performance. Olivia Mollard and Jake Brider completed the evening with a tremendous vocal rendition of ‘Prayer’ to a standing ovation.

Bishop Charles Drennan presided over the final Mass, which was a reverent and beautiful occasion with the St Peter’s College Chapel Band leading the music wonderfully.

Congratulations to St Patrick’s College Wellington who were the winners of the 2019 O’Shea Shield and best wishes to Chanel College who host the event in 2020.

St Peter’s College as hosts were grateful for the support of the Palmerston North and wider Manawatu Catholic communities who contributed generously to this successful event.


2019 Theme: ‘On This Rock’

The O’Shea Shield public speaking competition is contested for each year by the 17 secondary Catholic colleges in the Wellington and Palmerston North Dioceses.

The competition consists of sections and prizes for: Debating: Scripture Reading (English); Scripture Reading (Māori); Junior Prepared Speech; Oratory; Religious Drama; Religious Questions.

The overall winning team is awarded the O’Shea Shield. The contest is dedicated to the memory of Wellington Archbishop Thomas O’Shea 1870–1954, a talented educator and role model for young Catholics.

The 2019 O’Shea Shield theme was chosen as ‘On This Rock’, with the logo designed by Kieran Baird of St Peter’s College. The circle represents God. The figure shows we all have a place in God’s heart. The figure is in a position similar to how Jesus was crucified on the cross – a reminder of the love he had for us all. The head represents the host, and the body the chalice, reminding us of the Eucharist. The koru on the left side represents the growth of the people and the church, and how as we continue to live and grow, so too does the church.

Pope Francis said: ‘You dear young people are not the future, but the now of God.’ Meaning that we are the rock on which the future of the Church will be built.


2019 Results

St Catherine’s Cup Debating Best Negative Team
St Joseph’s Māori Girls College, Napier

St Mary’s Cup Debating Best Affirmative Team
Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt

Te Kaipanui I te Kupu Cup Scripture Reading in Te Reo Māori – Section A
Wharewaiata Rolls
St John’s College, Hastings

Te Kaipanui I te Kupu Cup Scripture Reading in Te Reo Māori – Section B
Matarena Biiri
Bishop Viard College, Porirua

George Family Cup Junior Prepared Speech Section A
Darcy Donaghy
St Peter’s College Palmerston North

Vaughan Family Cup Junior Prepared Speech Section B
Waaka Poutu
Hāto Pāora College, Feilding

Cardinal McKeefry Cup Oratory Section A
Patrick Ryan
St Patrick’s College, Wellington

Bishop Cullinane Cup Oratory Section B
Staines Sathya-Seelan
St Peter’s College, Palmerston North

Catherine McAuley Cup Scripture Reading Section A
Amy Krammer
Garin College, Nelson

St Peter Chanel Cup Scripture Reading Section B
Corban Dravitzki
Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth

Bishop Owen Snedden Memorial Cup Religious Drama
1st Place
St Bernard’s College, Lower Hutt

Society of Mary Cup Religious Drama
2nd Place
St Peter’s College, Palmerston North

Sacred Heart Lower Hutt Jubilee Cup Impromptu Speaking Section A
Royce Fitzgerald
St Bernard’s College, Lower Hutt

Silverstream Cup Impromptu Speaking Section B
Sam Crisp
St Patrick’s College, Wellington

Hibernian Cup Religious Questions Section A
St Patrick’s College, Wellington

Mercy Cup Religious Questions Section B
St Catherine’s College, Wellington

Jubilee Plaque Hosting School for 2020
Chanel College, Masterton

Bishop Viard Memorial Trophy Competition Runner Up
St Peter’s College, Palmerston North

O’Shea Shield 2019
St Patrick’s College, Wellington