Ten Feet Tall June Debate Competition Boosts Confidence and Communication Skills

Over Matariki weekend, Ten Feet Tall proudly hosted its highly anticipated June Debate Competition. The event brought together four vibrant teams, two junior and two senior, for a full day of high-energy debating, teamwork, and confidence-building.

From the moment students arrived, the atmosphere was lively and encouraging. Competing in teams of three, students launched into three rounds of head-to-head debates. Throughout the day, families cheered from the sidelines, proudly watching their children tackle complex topics, build persuasive arguments, and speak with clarity and confidence.

As the competition unfolded, the growth in each student became clear. With every round, they grew more familiar with the format. Gradually, they become more strategic in their approach, and more connected as teams. By the final round, many students had found their rhythm - thinking fast, speaking with conviction, and supporting each other’s ideas with ease.

Our expert judges provided thoughtful and constructive feedback after each round. As a result, students were able to reflect, adjust and improve in real-time. At Ten Feet Tall, we believe true success comes from growth, and learning from experience, adapting to feedback, and celebrating every step of the journey.

To wrap up the day, we awarded medals to the top-performing teams. We also awarded prizes for the Best Speaker and Most Improved Debater, recognising students who showed exceptional progress in communication, critical thinking, and teamwork - skills that will serve them well for years to come.

We’re incredibly proud of every participant. This event highlighted the true impact of speech and drama education - not just in building debating skills, but in empowering young people to grow in confidence, resilience, and self-expression.

THANK YOU

A heartfelt thank you to all our amazing students, the parents who supported them in the lead up, and on the day and our dedicated coaches who prepared and encouraged every student. Your combined effort made this event a true success.

We look forward to hosting our next Ten Feet Tall Debate Competition, and to seeing our young speakers shine even brighter!