Public Speaking & Debating
PLC Sydney has one of the largest public speaking programs of any independent girls' schools in NSW. Our students consistently perform well in public speaking competitions and the College has a strong reputation in this field.
Whether you’re outgoing or softly spoken, our Public Speaking program will give you the tools to boost your confidence, to voice your opinions and influence others. It’s a skill that will serve you well for your whole life, no matter what you choose to do. At PLC Sydney every girl is a public speaker.
PLC Sydney students have an outstanding history of success from internal competitions right through to an International level:
- PLC Sydney has participated at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships every year from 2014–2019. In 2018, one of our students was crowned World Champion. In 2017, our students were 4th in Debating and 5th Overall. In 2016, one of our students was placed 1st in Interpretative Reading and 4th in Persuasive Speaking. In 2019, we had a student placed 3rd in Persuasive Speaking.
- At the Australian Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship titles held in Melbourne in 2019, PLC Sydney students finished 10th. In April 2020, a PLC Sydney student will travel to Shanghai to fly the Australian flag.
- PLC Sydney holds an excellent performance record in the AHIGS Festival of Speech. We are the current Senior and Junior division runners up, bringing home the overall winner's shield 14 times in the 22 years history and have been runner up six times.
- The annual PLC Sydney Public Speaking Challenge is a competition that is an integral part of Public Speaking at the College and has been running for over 40 years. The competition gives every student in the school an opportunity to participate, hone their speaking skills and share their views.
Students can become involved in the following co-curricular Public Speaking and Debating activities:
Public Speaking and Debating
PLC Sydney has one of the largest Public Speaking programs of any independent girls' schools in NSW. Students consistently perform well in public speaking competitions and the College has a strong reputation in this field.
There are two teams on offer with other opportunities also available:
- SpeakSeason - students selected in this division will be able to participate in Rostrum, Junior and Senior, (February– March), Plain English Speaking (May), Legacy (July), UNYA Voice (September), Rotary Public Speaking, Lions Youth of the Year (entries close November in the year prior). Separate tuition is provided without charge in preparation for these external competitions. Students must be able to deliver compelling prepared and issue based impromptu speeches and be committed to the process, which will involve sessions during school time. Spots are limited. Open to Years 7–11
- SpeakSquad (development) - students selected will be offered opportunities to compete in Prepared Speaking competitions at Eisteddfods (City of Sydney/Inner West) with no charge. Training and guidance will also be provided. Open to Years 7–11
Entry into the PLC Sydney representative team for Australian Public Speaking and Debating (AIDPSC and Speakfest) will occur in June, prior to the Term 2 holidays and is open to students in Year 9 and above. Separate auditions will occur for this event. Success at AIDPSC leads to selection in the Australian team which participates at World level.
Through debating, students from Years 7–12 are able to improve their public speaking skills, gain more confidence, meet new people, be part of a team and develop their analytical skills. All PLC Sydney debaters have the opportunity to represent the College in two external competitions. Major competitions include Archdale Debating Competition, ISDA Debating Competition, Macquarie Cup Debating Competition and University of Sydney Debating Tournament. The Year 7 Archdale and ISDA teams are selected very early in the year.
Mock Trial involves students from Years 10 and 11 participating in a mock legal case as either the defence or prosecution. During the 'trial' each team will have barristers, a solicitor, court officers and witnesses. Each side puts their case to a Magistrate (a Lawyer or Barrister) who awards marks throughout the trial. This program is a fantastic opportunity for you to increase your listening, speaking, writing, reading and analysing skills, whilst being introduced to the legal system.
Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) provides the opportunity for students from years 9-11 to engage with other students across Sydney in debate and discussion of global issues in the spirit of the United Nations. Students will foster research, teamwork, communication, debating and problem-solving skills and will learn to work with new people who are not students at PLC Sydney. This is the ideal group for those who are passionate about international diplomacy and finding solutions to global issues. Years 10 and 11 students may wish to attend THIMUN Singapore in November or CISSMUN in Shanghai in January.
This informal club is run by the Public Speaking Captain for students from Years 7-12. The objective is to build confidence and have fun with impromptu speaking.
The College offers Speech Tuition to PLC Sydney and external students from Kindergarten to Year 12. The program builds confidence and competence in oral communication. Our professional speech tutors help students to develop communication and presentation skills that will provide a lifetime of confidence in public speaking and performance activities.
Lesson topics include:
- voice production, articulation and modulation
- public speaking: prepared and impromptu, formal and informal
- presentation techniques and non-verbal communication skills
- external examinations and eisteddfod preparation
- performance through dramatic text and improvisation
Yearly assessment by the Australian Speech Communication Association (ASCA) and/or the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). Eisteddfod work may be undertaken. Individual reports at the end of each semester.
PLC Sydney students, please visit the co-curricular site in PLACES for more information.
Non-PLC Sydney students can register by completing this form.
Visit PLACES to find out more about Public Speaking & Debating opportunities for senior school students via the co-curricular microsite.