WelCom May 2023
The prestigious and exciting O’Shea Shield competition has rangatahi from the 17 Catholic secondary schools in the Wellington and Palmerston North dioceses compete in eight separate events in public speaking, drama, and debating. Running since 1946, O’Shea Shield is one of New Zealand’s oldest intercollegiate competitions, and it involves almost 300 students each year.
The contest is dedicated to the memory of Wellington Archbishop Thomas O’Shea (1870–1954), a talented educator and role model for young Catholics.
Like many other school events, the O’Shea Shield competition has suffered disruption over the past four years, says Andrew Murray, Principal of St Mary’s College, host college for the 2023 event.
‘This year, the O’Shea Shield was scheduled to be held in Napier, but the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle made this impossible. St Mary’s College Wellington is proud to have picked up the hosting of the O’Shea Shield for 2023 over the weekend of 6 and 7 May.
‘This exciting weekend with a full programme of events begins with a pōwhiri at 8am on Saturday, 6 May, at St Mary’s College and concludes at the Mass and prizegiving on Sunday, 7 May at 12.45pm, at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Hill St Thorndon.’
Go to stmw.school.nz/Quick-Links/oshea-shield-2023-homepage-1 for more information.
