Debating SA Incorporated

About Us

Website: http://www.debatingsa.com.au

Debating SA is a not-for-profit association that conducts debating activities for schools and the wider community within South Australia.

The Association holds an annual interschool debating competition for Primary and Secondary Schools from May to September.

Debating SA also runs a range of extensive training programmes for schools and can supply adjudicators and coaches for community events.

Debating is an education-based activity that promotes the development of communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.The Association encourages positive interaction between all its members so that each participant, from every background, feels supported and comfortable in the environment in which s/he participates.

Debating SA has clear goals and aims which are:

• To actively promote debating and debating-related activities.
• To provide training to young people to enable participation and excellence in all aspects of debating.
• To provide a diverse programme of substance whereby young people can practise and improve their skills with participants from other schools or groups.
• To encourage schools from across all sectors to fully participate.

Debating SA seeks to encourage and develop in young people the following:

Thinking and research skills

• Analytical thinking skills.
• The ability to think clearly under pressure.
• A strong sense of curiosity and a love of learning about issues and the world around them.
• An ability to gather and evaluate information from a range of sources.
• Informed exchange of ideas.
• Initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively.

Communication skills

• Coherent and confident expression of ideas in collaboration with teammates.
• The ability to coherently and convincingly argue a point of view for their team, which they may not personally support.
• Public speaking skills.
• Word power and strength of language.

Social skills

• Self-esteem and self-confidence.
• A sense of understanding, tolerance and acceptance of different views on issues.
• Respect of the right of others to hold differing and alternative ideas.

Sportsmanship

• Generosity of spirit between participants, across all school sectors.
• Teamwork and sportsmanship.
• Valuing participation more than the outcome.
• A sense of responsibility to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
• The ability to respond appropriately to constructive feedback.

Members

Group Administrator

James Tran

Info

Debating SA is a not-for-profit association that conducts debating activities for schools and the wider community within South Australia.

The Association holds an annual interschool debating competition for Primary and Secondary Schools from May to September.