Debating finals with commentary

A record 999 teams entered the 2023 Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 5 and 6, and after 2,500-odd debates the 10 regional champions gathered at a 4-day tournament to decide the state champs. After 4 tight rounds of debating and 2 smashing semi-finals the evening before, Balgowlah Heights Public School and Timbumburi Public School met in the state final on Wednesday 15 November 2023. The topic was ‘That we should pay primary school teachers a bonus when their students’ results improve across the year.’ Massive thanks to all the teachers and parents who made it possible for the teams to get together for the championships, as well as to all the schools and students who did their part to make this the biggest debating competition ever!

The Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 5 and 6 is a massive competition, with 923 teams completing more than 2,000 debates in 2019. Ordinarily the last ten teams standing would meet for a 3-night tournament north of Wollongong, but with schools unable to travel due to the bushfires across the state those teams had to debate during a festival week, travelling where they could to mini-debating days and completing online debates where needed. Fifteen round-robin debates and two semi-finals later, this state final was held at The Arts Unit in Lewisham on Wednesday 27 November, showcasing the two best teams in the tournament from Bowral Public School (on the affirmative) and Hastings Public School (the reigning champions on the negative).The topic was “That we should require students in Years 3 to 6 to do 30 minutes of homework every weeknight” and the speaking time was four minutes. Congratulations to both these teams, to the eight other finalists who bounced back from the disappointment of the bushfire cancellation with such spirit, and to everyone who entered and contributed in 2019.

Each year the different regions across NSW select a squad of their best primary school debaters to represent them at the Primary Schools State Debating Championship, which in 2023 were held at the Collaroy Centre from Sunday 5 to Wednesday 8 November. Each of the 10 regional representative teams debated 5 times on a series of unseen topics with just one hour of unassisted preparation time, and after those rounds and a couple of semi-finals it was the teams from Northern Sydney and Illawarra and South East who reached this final.

The speaking time is 4 minutes (with a warning bell at 3 minutes and a continuous bell if they reach 5 minutes) and the topic of the debate is ‘That kids in Year 5 and above should have to have a paid job for one afternoon a week.’ Congratulations to these two teams and to all of the speakers who were selected as one of the top primary debaters in their region for 2023.

Every year ten different regions across NSW select their very best primary school debaters to represent them at these championships which are held over four days in November at Collaroy. Each team debates five times on a series of unseen topics for which they have only one-hour of unassisted preparation time. Following those rounds and two semi-final debates, Northern Sydney and the Illawarra and South East made it through to this final debate.

The speaking time is 4 minutes (with a warning bell at 3 minutes and a continuous bell if they reach 5 minutes) and the topic of the debate is “That we should ban students from bringing unhealthy food to school.” On behalf of the NSW Department of Education, a massive congratulations to these two teams and to all of the speakers who were selected as one of the very best speakers in their regions for 2019.

1st Affirmative - 0:01:39
1st Negative - 0:06:35
2nd Affirmative - 0:11:46
2nd Negative - 0:16:56
3rd Affirmative - 0:21:54
3rd Negative - 0:26:59
Adjudication - 0:32:11

Each year ten different regions across NSW select their very best primary school debaters to represent them at these championships which are held over four days in November at Collaroy. Each team debates five times on a series of unseen topics for which they have only one-hour of unassisted preparation time. Following those rounds and two semi-final debates, Northern Sydney and New England made it through to this grand final.

The speaking time is 4 minutes (with a warning bell at 3 minutes and a continuous bell if they reach 5 minutes) and the topic of the debate is “That we should ban parents and teachers from making primary school kids do homework or study outside of school hours.” On behalf of the NSW Department of Education, a massive congratulations to these two teams and to all of the speakers who made the 2018 tournament both an amazing success and an absolute pleasure to be a part of.