Debating Trials for Years 8-10 (2027 Teams)

Debating Trials for Years 8-10 (2027 Teams)

With growing interest in debating at SCEGGS, we are bringing the Year 8-10 debating trials forward to Term 4 to support team selection ahead of the 2027 season. Trials for Year 6 and Year 7 students will continue to take place in early Term 1, 2027.

These trials are for students wishing to represent SCEGGS in debating competitions during 2027, including ISDA, Eastside and Archdale.

This means:

  • Current Year 7 students will be trialling for Year 8 teams in 2027
  • Current Year 8 students will be trialling for Year 9 teams in 2027
  • Current Year 9 students will be trialling for Year 10 teams in 2027

We warmly encourage all interested students to trial, whether they are completely new to debating or already have experience. Debating is a wonderful opportunity to develop confidence, critical thinking, public speaking and teamwork skills, and we welcome students of all abilities to get involved.

Trial Dates

Current Year 7 students (Year 8 in 2027)
– Monday 9 November, 3.15pm-5.00pm (W34)

Current Year 8 and Year 9 students (Years 9 and 10 in 2027)
– Monday 16 November, 3.15pm-5.00pm (W34)

Students should attend the trial date for their year group. If your child is unable to attend, please contact the Debating Coordinator.

Registrations

Registrations are completed by parents and carers through Clipboard and close at 5.30pm on Monday 2 November.

The registration can be found in the Activity Selection tab on Clipboard.

Competition Preferences

As part of the registration process, parents and carers will be asked to nominate their preferred debating competition(s) for 2027. While every effort will be made to accommodate preferences, placement in a particular competition cannot be guaranteed. Information about each competition is included below:

ISDA (Independent Schools Debating Association)

ISDA is a  highly competitive competition involving independent schools from across Sydney. The competition begins in February 2027 and offers students the opportunity to debate against a wide range of schools and opponents.

Eastside Debating

Eastside is a local inter-school competition involving schools from Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Commencing in late February 2027, Eastside provides a competitive debating environment within a smaller and more localised competition structure.

Archdale Debating

This is a girls-only competition held on Tuesday evenings, involving independent girls’ schools from across Sydney. Archdale offers students the opportunity to compete against a broad range of schools within a female debating environment.

Transport and Logistics

For all competitions, buses are provided for students to depart SCEGGS after school and travel to the host school.

  • Return buses are generally provided for competitions involving schools outside the Eastern Suburbs.
  • Eastside fixtures typically provide a one-way bus only, with parents and carers responsible for collection from the host school.
  • Students travelling on return buses generally arrive back at SCEGGS between 8.30pm and 9.00pm, depending on traffic and venue location.
  • Parents and carers are welcome to collect students directly from venues.
  • Fixture information, venue maps and travel details are published on Clipboard throughout the season.

What to Expect

Students will be placed into teams on the day and will receive their debate topic at the beginning of the preparation period, so no prior preparation is required.

The afternoon will include:

  • A preparation period with teammates
  • A formal debate adjudicated by experienced debating coaches
  • Opportunities for students to demonstrate their reasoning, communication and teamwork skills

The Selection Process

To ensure a fair and consistent process, each debate will be adjudicated by a panel of coaches using standard debating criteria. Following the trials, results will be reviewed carefully before teams are selected for the 2027 season.

Students who participate in the trials may also request individual feedback after teams have been announced.

Important Information

Students should bring:

  • A pen and paper
  • A water bottle

Please note that this is a no-devices event, and mobile phones and laptops should not be used during the trials.

We look forward to welcoming students to the trials and wish all participants the very best.

Questions?

Please contact the Debating Coordinator, Suvini Kottegoda.

 

Suvini Kottegoda
Social Sciences Teacher and Debating Coordinator