At MLC School we believe the ability to speak confidently and eloquently in front of an audience is a core skill that will prepare our students for life.

We offer students the opportunity to participate in competitive debating as well as public speaking competitions. Coaching is provided by experienced professionals and our students have achieved great success in both areas. Debating develops students’ confidence, respect for others, sense of timing and structure as well as their ability to present a persuasive argument and knowledge of current affairs topics.

MLC School participates in three debating competitions the Independent Schools Debating Association (ISDA) competition (Year 6 to Year 12), the Friday Evening Debating (FED) competition (Year 7 to Year 12) and the Archdale Shield (Year 7 to Year 12), competing against other boys’ and girls’ schools across Sydney. Girls who are selected for the competition teams participate in weekly training sessions with experienced and successful debating coaches.

Students who aren’t selected are invited to join the Sydney Schools Debating competition (SSD), which provides an opportunity to receive coaching, debate online every Friday and have a greater chance of success at future trials.

Expectations and Involvement

The MLC School Debating Program strives for excellence and expects a high level of commitment from its debaters.

Students in competitive teams are expected to attend all scheduled training sessions and must inform their coach in advance of any absences. Only four team members take part in each debate, and team members rotate (under the direction of their coach) to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to speak. However, all team members are expected to attend home debates in order to support their fellow debaters and provide assistance to the Debating Coordinator and coaches.

Trials and Selection

Trials for the ISDA and FED competitions take place around Week 8 of Term 4 (the year prior) for Year 8 to Year 12, and Week 2 of Term 1 for Year 6 and Year 7, and are open to all interested students. Information about the trials is included in the weekly newsletter.

Trials for the Archdale Shield competition take place at the start of Term 2 and are open to all students who have participated in debating activities during Term 1. The trials are convened by our Debating Coordinator with support from our team coaches.

Cost

Debating is a pay per term co-curricular activity at MLC School. Students who trial for a competition team and are selected for FED or ISDA will receive a link for their parents to register and pay online for Term 1 debating. Term 2 and Term 3 fees will be automatically added to term fees. This includes the student’s competition fees, personal and small group coaching and participation in weekly debates. Each team of five students receives coaching for 1.5– 2 hours every Wednesday plus coaching before each competitive debate. Their coach attends every debate and provides feedback to each student afterwards. Debating is a nine-week activity for Term 1 and Term 2.

Students who trial and are successful in selection for the Archdale competition will start halfway through Term 2 (when students will still be doing either FED or ISDA). Term 3 payments will be for the Archdale competition and will be a nine-week activity.

During Term 4, MLC School will run either an internal Debating tournament in the British Parliamentary style or compete in an international online debating tournament. There is a cost associated with this nine-week term activity.

Transport

During preliminary rounds where the debate venue is more easily reached by train, students will travel by public transport, under staff supervision for the Middle Years. For schools not close to public transport a bus will be provided to transport students to away debate venues, supervised by our Debating Coordinators or a member of staff.

In the finals rounds, participating teams are usually expected to make their own way to the debate venue (unless there are a large number of teams participating, in which case a bus will be provided).

In all cases, parents/carers are expected to collect their daughter from the debate venue promptly after the debate is finished (they are also very welcome to arrive early to watch the debate).

Leadership Opportunities

Many MLC School students participate in debating over several years and there is also opportunities for Senior students to help coach and mentor younger students new to debating. With the assistance of the Debating Coordinator and coaching staff, Senior students interested in improving their leadership skills can do so by sharing their debating experience with junior teams.

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Programs

Debating and Public Speaking develops students’ confidence, respect for others and sense of timing and structure, as well as their ability to present a persuasive argument and their knowledge of current affairs topics.

MLC School offers debating and public speaking programs from Year 5.

Archdale Debating Competition (Year 7 to Year 11)

Archdale Debating Competition Teams are selected by invitation.

The IGSA Archdale Debating Competition runs from May to September and involves 24 girls' schools competing in seven preliminary rounds on Tuesday evenings, followed by a finals series.

Program Details

Coordinator: Dr Andrea Rowe
Places Available: 40-60 places, depending on team number
Day and Time – Training: Year 7 to Year 8: Wednesday 3.30pm–4.30pm
Year 9 to Year 11: Wednesday 4.30pm–6.30pm
Day and Time – Debates: Tuesday 3.30pm–8.30pm, Term 2 and Term 3
Location: Training: Senior Centre Ground Floor
Debates: MLC School and various other competing girls' schools
Cost: $350 per term
Enrolment: Contact the coordinator

 

FED and ISDA Debating (Year 6 to Year 12)

FED and ISDA Competition Debating Teams are selected by invitation.

The Independent Schools' Debating Association (ISDA) is Sydney’s premier student debating competition, featuring 32 boys' and girls' schools competing over seven Friday evening preliminary rounds, followed by a finals series.

The Friday Evening Debating (FED) competition involves 16 boys' and girls' schools and also has seven Friday evening preliminary rounds, followed by a finals series.

Program Details

Coordinator: Dr Andrea Rowe
Places Available: ISDA: 40 places
FED: 40 places
Day and Time – Training: Junior Teams: Wednesday 3.30pm–4.30pm and Friday evening before the debate, Term 1 and Term 2
Senior Teams: Wednesday 4.30pm–6.30pm and Friday evening before the debate, Term 1 and Term 2
Day and Time – Debates: Friday 3.30pm–10pm
Location: Training: Senior Centre Ground Floor
Debates: MLC School and other schools in the Sydney region
Cost: $350 per term
Enrolment: Contact the coordinator

  

IPSHA Debating Competition (Year 5 and Year 6)

The IPSHA debating competition introduces younger students to competitive debating. It follows a home and away structure, with two teams competing each week, one taking the affirmative and the other the negative, against teams from other schools in Sydney. 

The competition is conducted in a prepared format. Students attend weekly training sessions every Wednesday during Term 2 and Term 3, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, where they work with their coach to prepare speeches for upcoming debates. Debate rounds occur on Fridays during school hours. Two squads, each consisting of ten Year 5 and ten Year 6 debaters, are formed, and each squad has its own coach. Selection for these squads is through participation in a trial debate.

At the end of the year, selected debaters participate in an IPSHA Debating Gala Day, which focuses on debating activities and opportunities for learning.

Program Details

Coordinators: Dr Andrea Rowe and Jan Falls
Places Available: Year 5: 10 places
Year 6: 10 places
Day and Time: Training: Wednesday 3.30pm–4.30pm, Term 2 and Term 3
Debates: Term 2 and Term 3 fortnightly Friday debates
Location: Senior Centre Ground Floor
Cost: $250 per term
Enrolment: Contact the coordinator

 

Model UN (Year 7 to Year 12)

Model UN enables students to refine their public speaking, negotiation, and diplomatic skills, all key competencies for succeeding at MUN conferences. These well-structured sessions are suitable for participants of all experience levels, equipping students with the knowledge and confidence required to represent MLC School on the international stage. Upon completion of training, students will have the opportunity to participate in official conferences, engage in stimulating debates, and network with students from across Sydney.

Program Details

Coordinator: Dr Andrea Rowe
Places Available: Open to all interested students
Day and Time: Junior (Year 7 to Year 8): Thursday 3.30pm–4.30pm
Senior (Year 9 to Year 12): Thursday 4.30pm–6pm
Location: Senior Centre Ground Floor
Cost: $250 per term
Enrolment: A link to the MLC School Payments page will be shared when registration opens

 

Oratory Classes (Year 5 to Year 12)

Oratory classes are part of the Public Speaking program available to all students. These classes are designed for students in Year 5 to Year 12 who wish to enhance their public speaking and/or debating skills, including those not selected for competition debating teams. Participants will be organised into small groups, and instruction will be provided by experienced public speakers and debaters. Separate classes for Year 5, Year 6, and Year 7 will be arranged based on enrolment numbers. A Senior class for students in Year 8 to Year 12 will also run subject to enrolment numbers. The primary focus of the program is comprehensive training in various forms of public speaking.

Students from these classes may be selected to represent MLC School in public speaking competitions throughout the year, such as Rostrum, Plain English, Junior Public Speaking Competition, UN Voice NSW, and the IGSA Festival of Speech.

The program offers all participants the opportunity to practise speech writing and delivery in a supportive environment that accommodates all skill levels. Whether aiming to build confidence in classroom presentations, preparing for larger audiences, or aspiring to join a competitive debating team, students will receive tailored support to help achieve their goals.

Classes are conducted from Term 1 to Term 3, with the expectation that enrolled students will continue participation each term unless the coordinator is notified of withdrawal by email prior to Week 8 of each term.

Program Details

Coordinator: Dr Andrea Rowe
Places Available: Open to all interested students
Day and Time: Junior (Year 5 to Year 7): Thursday 3.30pm–4.30pm
Senior (Year 8 to Year 12): Thursday 4.30pm–6pm
Location: Senior Centre Ground Floor
Cost: $250 per term
Enrolment: A link to the MLC School Payments page will be shared when registration opens

 

Schools Debating Competition (SDC) (Year 6 to Year 10)

MLC School offers students opportunities to develop public speaking skills that may be useful in various contexts. Debating can help participants build confidence, respect for differing viewpoints, organisational skills, persuasive communication, and awareness of current affairs.

Students can participate in an eight-week online Debating tournament called the Schools Debating Competition (SDC) from Term 1 to Term 3. Professional coaches and adjudicators with experience in debating and public speaking will oversee the sessions. Students will debate against other schools from the Sydney area each week.

The tournament is scheduled for Friday afternoons, with preparation starting at 4.45pm and debates beginning at 5.30pm. Training takes place in small teams with a coach every Friday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. The activity is open to all students interested in debating, regardless of prior experience.

Program Details

Coordinator: Dr Andrea Rowe
Places Available: Open to all interested students
Day and Time: Friday 3.30pm–6.30pm
Location: Senior Centre Ground Floor
Cost: $200 per term
Enrolment: A link to the MLC School Payments page will be shared when registration opens