NSW Premier's Debating Challenge finals – primary

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 was 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. 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 2 teams and to all of the speakers who were selected as one of the top primary debaters in their region for 2023.

First affirmative, Hornsby South Public School – 0:01:38
First negative, Moss Vale Public School – 0:06:40
Second affirmative, St Ives North Public School – 0:11:51
Second negative, Goulburn South Public School – 0:17:01
Third affirmative, Beecroft Public School – 0:22:12
Third negative, Wollongong Public School – 0:27:22
Adjudication – 0:32:30

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!
First affirmative – 0:01:37
First negative – 0:06:10
Second affirmative – 0:10:02
Second negative – 0:14:32
Third affirmative – 0:19:08
Third negative – 0:24:21
Adjudication – 0:29:31

For the first time since 2019 the 10 different regions across NSW selected their very best primary school debaters to represent them at these championships which were held over 4 days in November. Each of regional representative teams debated 5 times on a series of unseen topics with just one hour of unassisted preparation time. Following those rounds and 2 semi-final debates, the Riverina and the Hunter/Central Coast 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 student leaders should be picked at random once a term.’ Congratulations to these 2 teams and to all of the speakers who were selected as one of the top primary debaters in their region for 2022.

1st affirmative – 0:00:48
1st negative – 0:06:05
2nd affirmative – 0:11:18
2nd negative – 0:15:50
3rd affirmative – 0:21:00
3rd negative – 0:26:11
Adjudication – 0:31:06

For the first time since 2018 the Years 5 and 6 division of the Premier's Debating Challenge was decided at a state championships tournament. Ten regional champions who beat out 875 other teams gathered at Stanwell Tops for a series of debates over 3 days, culminating in this state final between Alstonville Public School and Randwick Public School on Wednesday 16 November. The topic was ‘That kids should be given a second chance to complete their assignments if they get a bad mark.’ Cheers to all the students and teachers who made the championships tournament, and indeed the entire 2022comp, such a rollicking success!

1st Affirmative – 0:01:08
1st Negative – 0:06:18
2nd Affirmative – 0:10:52
2nd Negative – 0:16:00
3rd Affirmative – 0:20:32
3rd Negative – 0:25:40
Adjudication – 0:30:36

From 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM on Tuesday 9 November 2021, 50 speakers from all across NSW debated one after the other about whether or not to ban homework, with each speaker Zooming in, listening to the speaker before them, and then delivering their rebuttal and speech while the next speaker listened and so on.

The 8 best speakers were chosen to go into a traditional quarterfinals series, through which Alexandria Park Community School and Randwick Public School qualified for this grand final. The topic is 'That students should be picked for selective high schools based on their primary school record instead of a test.'

Congratulations to these 2 schools and everyone who participated in that amazingly long day of debating!

The Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 5 and 6 is a huge competition, with 659 teams completing more than 1,500 debates in 2020 despite being delayed and forced online by COVID-19. This state final was held over Zoom on Monday 14 December and features Terrigal Public School (on the affirmative) and North Sydney Public School (on the negative).

The topic was 'That primary school classes should swap their teachers around every week instead of having the same teacher all year.' and the speaking time was four minutes.

Congratulations to both these teams and to all the students and teachers who contributed to the competition thriving in 2020!

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.