Photo: from back left Olivia Altenburg-Carey, Katie Ryan, Louise Daly, Jodie Worthington, Ngahiraka Dallas. From front left: Taylor Fasi-Fidow, Grace Hintz, Izzy Bloxham (Head Girl), Sarah McKenzie, Rozyczka Schimanski.

Marian College are the proud winners of the highly coveted Bishop Lyons' Shield for 2018!

The Marian College team came first overall, first in Debating and Senior Speech, first equal in Scripture Reading and Junior Speech and third equal in Religious Questions.

Marian College Principal Mrs Mary-Lou Davidson said the Bishop Lyons’ Shield is a much anticipated event, celebrating the great spirit of competition and comradery between participating schools.

“The result was an amazing effort by the whole team. The Marian community is buzzing with news of the win – we have had past students and parents contact us to congratulate the girls. All the hard work that was put in leading up to the competition – from both students and coaches – has paid off.”

Mrs Davidson said it was the second year this particular Marian College debating team had won its event.

“Some of the team had older sisters who had competed and won in past Bishop Lyons’ Shield events, so it is lovely to see family traditions continuing,” Mrs Davidson added.

This year the Scripture Reading event was held in Te Reo Māori for the first time. Students choose and read a scripture passage in Te reo as well as answer questions about what the passage means and how it applies to young people today.

Year 12 Marian College student Ngahiraka Dallas was awarded first equal in Scripture Reading with a St Bede’s College student. 

“Congratulations to all the students who competed – we are very proud of you. And thank you to Villa Maria College for being outstanding hosts,” Mrs Davidson said.

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.

This is the fourth year Marian College has won the shield (including in 1995, 2009 and 2015).

Marian College was established in 1982 with the bringing together of two Catholic secondary schools for girls – McKillop College and St Mary’s College – the latter being one of the oldest schools in Canterbury, established in 1893.

St Mary’s shared the shield with St Bede’s College in 1951 and won it outright in 1953, 1957 1964 and 1972.