Debating and Public Speaking

The CGGS Debating and Public Speaking (DPS) program has a longstanding and successful history. Each year, upwards of 10% of students participate in inter-school debating and public speaking competitions.

Students participate in a range of events, including:

• Canberra based competitions such as the ACTDU Junior, Senior and Advanced Premier
• Public speaking competitions run and/or sponsored by The Legislative Assembly
• The Plain English Speaking Award
• The Australian Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships
• Sydney based competitions such as the IGSA Speech Festival
• Mock Trials and Mock Mediation.

Training for Debating and Public Speaking is held after school. These sessions are supervised by a teacher, with the assistance of the DPS Captain and Vice-Captain and DPS coaches. A teacher also attends debates and administers each of the competition levels.

Information concerning competition dates can be found on the ACTDU website.

Each Year 7-10 team is assigned an experienced peer mentor debater as a coach. Students are encouraged to attend at least one training session per week, as well as their specific team training and debates.