Debating & Public Speaking News
The 2026 Debating program has debuted with Year 12 students taking part in the inaugural Climate Issues Debating Competition; a new initiative facilitated by the DAV and Melbourne Museum. Five keen debaters from the Global Politics class will represent St Catherine’s School on Friday 13 March and the class will attend to support their study of Global Responses to Climate Issues.
The much-anticipated Senior DAV Interschool Debating Competition at Scotch College will commence on Wednesday 25 March. Record numbers of Year 9, 10, 11 and 12 students will attend training for their Round 1 Debates on Thursday 19 March, benefiting from the expertise of past students as coaches.
The Senior and Intermediate Women’s Debating competitions will take place on Sunday March 22 and 29, with 13 students competing in the program.
The National Schools Mooting Competition will begin training sessions next week with Year 11 students, Aamna Adeel, Phoebe Butterfield and Victoria Guan, forming the St Catherine’s team.
Public Speaking sign-ups have also been very popular, with the first competitions taking place in early Term 2.
Meet the Captains
The 2026 program is in very good hands under the leadership of the Year 12 Debating Co-Captains. Isabelle Cao and Isabella Teoh share what they most enjoy about debating and what they look forward to this year.
I most enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes with the high-pressure situations you are put in when debating and public speaking. Especially with a secret topic, it truly propels you to explore situations that make you uncomfortable.
Moreover, the highlight of Debating and Public Speaking in Senior School is the ability to connect with other people who also share your passions as you naturally bond with the people in your team overtime.
As a Co-Captain, I am most looking forward to seeing the success of my fellow debaters and public speakers because I know St Catherine’s has an insurmountable amount of talent!
Isabella Teoh
As Debating and Public Speaking Co-Captain for 2026, I am proud to say this year holds much in store for St Catherine’s. With 87 girls in our DAV Senior Debating program, I am honoured to lead this cocurricular with integrity and passion, and these record numbers this year show our School's continued dedication towards such an important part of girls' development.
Progressing through the stages of St Catherine’s debating and public speaking program, from the daunting task of speaking in front of the class in Year 3 to now guiding the Senior School throughout this year, I've gained cumulative experience and skills in presenting my views that are as important as ever in today's world. One of my favourite highlights has been serving as a mentor last year in the Year 7 and 8 Debating program. Watching these younger girls develop their individual voices has been an enriching experience comparable to seeing myself as a younger debater, growing through the program.
This year, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to empower our school's debaters and public speakers through the various events and competitions across each term. Debating and Public Speaking are often thought of as speaking your mind to an audience, but I've learnt that, just as importantly, it is about listening: to the younger year levels as they bring their own ideas, to teachers and adjudicators for feedback, but most importantly to yourself.
I hope everyone in the School can find their own voice this year and enjoy being part of this program.
Isabelle Cao
Ms Merran O’Connor
Head of Debating and Public Speaking