Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 11 and 12
The competition is open to senior students in NSW government schools. Teams compete in a series of knockout debates to decide the winner of the prestigious Hume Barbour Trophy.
Latest news
Entries have closed and debating is well and truly underway in the Years 11 and 12 challenge! All the teams have their match-ups for the first round of debating if not later rounds, and you can view those match-ups and all the results as the come in here. You can read a little more about the comp below, and teams involved also need to download the 2025 Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 11 and 12 Information Guide (PDF 2.04 MB) so that they're familiar with the rules and structure of the competiton. Best of luck for what's sure to be another cracking season of senior debating!
About the competition
This competition began in 1930 with the generous donation of a trophy by Miss Hume-Barbour, a descendant of Hume the explorer, after whom the Hume Highway is named. The trophy, depicting the Ancient Greek orator Demosthenes, was the work of the noted sculptor Rayner Hoff who was also responsible for the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park.
Teams take part in a series of one hour preparation debates with both sides having a choice of 3 topics. This age division of the challenge is supported by our Venue Partner University of Sydney.
Format of the competition
The Years 11 and 12 competition runs differently to the other age divisions with a more flexible draw to allow busy senior students to compete. Teams will compete in a knockout competition where they will be matched up against another team for their first debate as soon as they are entered, and they’ll debate online over Zoom with The Arts Unit providing the adjudicator. If they win that first debate, they’ll move on to round 2 and be paired up against another winner. If they lose, each team will have 1 life, so they won’t be eliminated but won’t progress to round 2 either – they’ll just be paired up against another team who needs a round 1 debate. Teams can use their life at any time during the first 4 rounds. If they lose a second debate they’ll be eliminated, but we’ll continue to match up teams for as many friendly debates as they’d like.
If 2 teams can’t agree quickly on date and time, the organisers will find them different opponents, and if things get too busy or the team starts to feel overloaded, teams can drop out without having to forfeit and cost someone else a chance to debate. The competition will begin in February with the state final to be held in early August.
Watch past Years 11 and 12 state finals
Enquiries
Attachments
Gallery
Select image to expand.
The 2025 Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 11 and 12 State Final is proudly supported by ACCO Brands Australia and University of Sydney.
All Arts Unit programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in the Premier's Debating Challenge for Years 11 and 12, please email Justine.clarke@det.nsw.edu.au so that we can assist.
