Debating and Public Speaking

Debating and public speaking help develop lifelong personal attributes of conviction, clarity and persuasion.

• Junior Debating and Public Speaking

  • Kindergarten to Year 4: Our youngest learners are presented with many in-class opportunities to begin their public speaking journey.

  • From Year 3 onwards:  Inter-house competitions introduce students to presenting with confidence.

  • From Year 5 onwards:  Students can join the representative debating squad, which meets weekly for workshops, competitions and mentoring. Older students help guide younger debaters, creating a culture of encouragement and growth.

  Our representative teams also compete in:

  • Inter-house debating competitions

  • Debating and public speaking meetings and workshops

  • CCIS Debating

  • HICES Debating Competition

  • IPSHA Debating Gala Day

  • Macquarie University Debating

  • Ethics Olympiad

• Middle School and Senior Debating and Public Speaking

  From Year 7 through to Year 12, students continue to refine their skills in inter-house competitions and through our representative squad.

  Senior students participate in a wide range of external competitions, including:

  • Central Coast Independent Schools Debating

  • HICES Debating Competition

  • Macquarie University Debating

  • NSW Law Society Mock Trial

  • NSW Law Society Mediation

  • MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly)

  • Plain English Speaking Competition (PESA)

  • Junior Secondary Speaking Award

  • Rostrum Voice of Youth (Secondary)

  • Probus Cup Debating Competition

  • Middle School Ethics Olympiad

  • Senior School Ethics Olympiad

  These experiences give students authentic opportunities to present in a range of settings, preparing them to be articulate, confident and principled communicators.