Student Voices

Debating Builds Lifelong Skills

Imagine you are about to represent your school in a high-stakes competition. Your training hasn’t taken place on the oval, but in a classroom. Your equipment? Just a pencil and a set of palm cards. There is no sweat, but plenty of strategy, that’s debating, and we absolutely love it!

Debating empowers primary students with essential life skills. It teaches us how to construct persuasive arguments (although our parents might say this comes naturally!) and listen attentively (definitely not a natural strength!). We learn how to critically evaluate alternative perspectives and think quickly under pressure – all while remaining respectful and composed. These skills are not only valuable today, but for our future academic success and potential leadership roles. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of debating is its collaborative nature. It’s a team sport where students learn to work together, share ideas and support one another – especially through rebuttals, which are really challenging. Preparation and teamwork are the keys through which we develop discipline, empathy, resilience and lifelong friendships. 

Winning is always exciting, but the true value of debating lies in the journey. Every debate, win or lose, is an opportunity to grow, reflect and take pride in our collective effort and commitment shown.