Debating Overview

The School takes part in three debating competitions:

The ISDA (Independent Schools Debating Association) and Eastside (schools located in the eastern suburbs) competitions in Terms I and II, and GPS (Great Public Schools) competition in Term III. Debating is available to boys in all Forms and training sessions take place after school.

An internal debating competition is run on Friday after school for interested boys in Forms I and II.

On debating nights parking is available at the nearby Riley Street Parking Station. Supper is held in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre Foyer after the debates.

Debating Coordinator Ms Smith
MIC ISDA Mr Saidi
MIC Eastside Ms Pols
MIC GPS Ms Naghten
Form I Ms Rothbart and Dr Allen
Form II Mr Reisner
Internal debating (Forms I and II) Ms Angeloni
Form III Ms Cleave
Form IV Mr Budnik
Seniors Mr Bowes
 

Eastside Debating Competition

The Eastside Debating Competition involves schools from Sydney’s Eastern suburbs.

Year 7–9 teams prepare at 5:25pm and debate at 6:15pm. Year 10 teams and Senior teams prepare at 6:25pm and debate at 7:15pm.

HOME DEBATES

All debates will take place on level two of the Palladium Building and topics will be given out in the foyer on that level.

EASTSIDE DEBATING FIXTURES

 

GPS Debating Competition

Please note carefully the start times for debates in this competition, which may not agree with previous social debates or with ISDA or Eastside in Terms I and II. There have also been changes to start times in the GPS Competition in recent years.

Years 7, 8, 9 teams receive topics at 5:20pm and debate at 6:30pm following 45 minutes prep (5:45pm–6:30pm). Years 10, Thirds, Seconds and Firsts teams receive topics at 6:10pm and debate at 7:30pm following 1 hour preparation (6:30pm–7:30pm).

Year 7 3–4 minutes Year 10 5–7 minutes
Year 8 3–4 minutes 1st-3rd 5–7 minutes
Year 9 4–5 minutes

TRANSPORT

There will be buses arranged for all away debates. There will be NO return buses. Note that the buses depart to arrive in time for the Year 8-9 topic distribution at 5:20pm, so boys need to come prepared to keep busy in the interim time. As usual, there will be a bus-booking sheet at Masters' Reception.

SIDES (IN ALL YEARS)

Allocation of Affirmative and Negative sides for debates will be decided by a coin toss on the night. One coin toss will be made at 5:30pm for the junior debates and a second coin toss at 6:20pm for the senior debates.

HOME DEBATES

Topics are given out in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre Foyer (AMTF) and debates will be held in the Palladium building levels 1–3. The Firsts debate will be held in the Palladium Theatre in the bottom level of the Palladium building.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the competition may be found on the GPS debating website.

GPS DEBATING FIXTURES

 

Independent Schools Debating Association (ISDA) Competition

The Independent Schools Debating Association (ISDA) competition involves thirty-two schools divided into four zones.

A set of seven preliminary rounds is followed by an octos-final, a quarter-final and a semi-final round. The competition concludes with a grand final round.

Years 7, 8 and 9 prepare at 6:15pm and debate at 7:00pm. Year 10 and Seniors A and B prepare at 7:15pm and debate at 8:00pm. These times may not apply to social debates and boys should check starting times with their coach.

Division Speaking Times
Years 7 and 8 3-5 minutes
Years 9 and 10 4-6 minutes
Seniors A and B 5-7 minutes

The ISDA Debating fixtures for 2020 are given below. Venues for semi-final rounds and the grand final round will be communicated when available.

TRANSPORT

There will be buses arranged for all away debates. There will be NO return buses. As usual, there will be a bus-booking sheet at Masters' Reception.

SIDES (IN ALL YEARS)

The Host School will affirm and the Away School will negate. For the Finals part of the season, a coin toss on the night will determine the allocation of Affirmative or Negative.

HOME DEBATES

Topics are given out in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre Foyer (AMTF) and debates will be held in the classrooms around H Block.

The addresses and maps of each school involved in the ISDA Competition, not found in the School Diary, are located on the ISDA website.

ISDA DEBATING FIXTURES

 

Debating Colours

Colours and other awards are given to participants in Debating according to the criteria set out below.

The Headmaster makes the final determination and reserves the right to grant or withhold awards on exceptional grounds as he sees fit regardless of the published criteria which may also be altered at any time without notice.

Recommendations for awards are made by a Colours Committee of three experienced masters, chaired by the Deputy Headmaster (Co-curricular). Nominations are made to the Committee by the Staff in charge of Debating.

Colours are awarded in Term III.

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