Debating

Debating in 2018

Debating is one of the largest and most successful co-curricular programs at Northcote and is a terrific way for students to build confidence, public speaking skills, develop critical thinking and expand their world knowledge.  In 2017 we had nine teams in the Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) inter-school competition involving students from Years 8 – 12.  

Last year we had lots of great experiences in debating and public speaking. The program runs at lunchtimes and involves students either travelling outside the school or debating inside the school.

Currently we run an internal competition for the Year 7s, (to be organised after the Year 7 Picnic). Year 7s also have the opportunity to participate in a special inter-school training and round robin program facilitated by the DAV.  Year 8 – 12 students can participate in the ongoing DAV competition and we also hold an internal debating and public speaking competition for international students.

Additionally, we run a Year 6 Public Speaking competition for local primary schools and a Year 7 Public Speaking competition. For senior students we host a regional final for the Plain English Speaking competition. For the last two years we have also entered the Lions Club Youth of the Year competition. The Northcote Lions club also support local schools by running a Lions Club debating competition as a fund raising event.

Get involved in 2018!

Now is the time for interested students to get involved in the 2018 Debating program. This is what they need to know: 

1. The students (Year 8 – 12) doing the DAV (interschool) competition will meet every Monday lunchtime in M7. We need to organise our teams and then the competition starts in March. The first meeting is on Monday 12th of February.

2. The international students who are interested in debating and public speaking in 2018 will meet on Tuesday lunchtimes starting Tuesday 13th February in M19.

3. Year 7 students who are interested in debating – we will start getting organised after the Year 7 Family Picnic.

Debating meetings and other co-curricular activities will be advertised via myNorthcoteHigh news.

Martin Ramsay and Carlene Wilson

Debating and Public Speaking