Debating and Public Speaking

The NSW Premier’s Challenge Debating Competition

Canterbury Girls enters two teams in each of the Year 7 and 8, Years 9 and 10 and Year 11 and 12 Premier’s Challenge competitions. Teams compete against other schools in the region and the competitions are run during school time. In 2016 Canterbury Girls High School Year 10 team continued into the regional finals.

The Sydney Morning Herald Plain English Speaking Award

This event is for students 15 years and older. They are required to present an original speech of 8 minutes based on any item from the Sydney Morning Herald. This competition also has an impromptu speech section.

UN Youth Australia Public Speaking Competition

This event is for students in Years 7 and 8 and Years 9 and 10. Students prepare a pitch, solving a global problem, speaking for 4 or 5 minutes, depending on their age group. They grapple with topics such as exploring animal rights in the Australian farming industry, accessibility to higher education, the ethical production and consumption of clothing and how the international community can combat the influence and potential spread of nuclear weapons. The competition also has an impromptu section where they are asked questions about their solutions. Winners of the regional heats go through to compete in a series of finals run by the University of Western Sydney UN Youth Australia Organisation. In 2018 one of our students made it through to the semi-final.

Mental Health Public Speaking Challenge

The Mental Health Public Speaking Challenge (MHPSC) is a way for students to gain greater understanding and awareness about mental health, to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and to make a positive difference to their school community. Each year, Sydney Local Health District runs the challenge with students in Yrs 9/10 from schools within the District. School teams research a mental health and well-being topic at a training day - topics randomly selected from a hat, then present their talk in front of a supportive audience of Local health staff, students and teachers at the MHPSC final.

Theatresports

Since 2006 Canterbury Girls have entered teams in the Impro Australia Theatresports Competititon (NSW Division - Senior and Intermediate). This competition pits teams of 5 drama students against each other in four rounds of improvisional drama games.

Last updated August 2019