Public Speaking & Debate | YEARS 5–10
GREAT IDEAS DESERVE TO BE HEARD.
Speak up. Make your case. Challenge an argument. Think on your feet.
Our Public Speaking & Debate Holiday Programme gets students speaking from the start through fast-paced challenges, persuasive games, impromptu speaking and live debates.
They'll learn to organise their ideas, give strong reasons, respond when someone disagrees and communicate with confidence — without spending the day writing or memorising speeches.
✓ Practical public speaking AND debating skills
✓ Builds confidence and quick thinking
✓ Great preparation for school speeches, presentations & debate teams
✓ No public speaking or debating experience needed
✓ Perfect for confident speakers AND students who need encouragement
✓ 2 Days | 9am–3pm
Takapuna | Limited places per programme
First make them listen
DAY 1 — SURVIVE & DEBATE
THINK FAST. MAKE YOUR CASE. DEFEND YOUR IDEAS.
You're stranded on a deserted island and can take only five things. What will you choose — and can you convince everyone else you're right?
Students jump into fast-paced speaking games, the Island Survival Challenge, impromptu Hot Seat speaking and debate challenges. They'll learn how to turn an opinion into a strong argument using Assertion, Reasoning and Case Example (ARC), before discovering how to listen, challenge an idea and fire back with rebuttal. Public Speaking and Debate
Then it's time to put it all together.
Working in teams, students prepare their arguments, take a side and finish the day with a live debate showcase.
SPEAK • PERSUADE • REBUT • DEBATE
THE CHALLENGE: Can you make your case convincing enough to win?
THEN — MAKE YOUR CASE
DAY 2 — DESIGN & DEBATE
BIG IDEAS. STRONG ARGUMENTS. YOUR PERFECT SCHOOL.
You've been given the chance to redesign school from scratch.
What would you change? What would you keep? And can you convince everyone that your school is the best?
Students take on the Perfect School Re-Design Challenge, working in teams to create five changes and explain what they would change, why it matters and who it would help. Then we turn up the pressure with Would You Rather, Four Corners: Convince Me, speaking challenges and debate. Public Speaking and Debate
They'll learn to look at both sides of an issue, strengthen weak reasons, structure convincing arguments using ARC and respond when somebody challenges their thinking. Public Speaking and Debate
Then it's debate time — a chance to put their speaking, persuasion and quick-thinking skills into action.
CREATE • CONVINCE • CHALLENGE • DEBATE
THE CHALLENGE: Can you turn a great idea into an argument other people believe?
Nervous Speaker?
Perfectly welcome.
Students don't need to arrive confident. We start with games, partners and team activities and increase the challenge as they become more comfortable.
We won't throw a nervous student on stage and expect confidence to magically appear.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE IS PART OF THE PROGRAMME.
ALREADY LOVES SPEAKING OR DEBATING?
Bring it.
Confident students are challenged to make stronger arguments, sharpen their rebuttal, improve their delivery and think faster under pressure.
Because being willing to talk is one thing.
BEING ABLE TO MAKE PEOPLE LISTEN IS ANOTHER.
Our Parent Promise
Every Student Speaks
No sitting at the back watching others. Every student gets plenty of opportunities to speak, share ideas and have a go.
Nervous Speakers Are Welcome
They don't need to arrive confident. We start with small, achievable challenges and build their confidence as they go.
Confident Speakers Are Challenged
Already loves speaking or debating? We'll challenge them to think deeper, build stronger arguments and respond under pressure.
They Learn By Doing
Speaking games, team challenges, impromptus and live debates — not hours of worksheets, theory or memorising speeches.
Real Coaching & Feedback
Our coaches don't just run activities. They help students strengthen their ideas, improve their speaking and try again.
Safe To Have A Go
Ideas are listened to and respected. Students learn to disagree, challenge and debate without putting each other down.
Skills they will take back to school
SCHOOL SPEECHES — Structure ideas and engage an audience.
PRESENTATIONS — Speak clearly and confidently.
DEBATE TEAMS — Build arguments, rebut and work strategically.
CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS — Explain an idea and back it up.
IMPROMPTU SPEAKING — Think clearly when put on the spot.
And beyond school?
They'll be better equipped to express an opinion, explain their thinking, listen to another perspective and speak when it matters.
Everything parents need to know
WHO: Year 5-10
WHEN: Two-day programme
TIME: 9am–3pm
EARLY DROP-OFF: Free from 8.30am
EXPERIENCE: None needed
BRING: Morning tea, lunch, snacks and a water bottle
FAQ
Ready to speak up?
Two days of challenges.
Two days of big ideas.
Two days of speaking, persuading, debating and thinking on your feet.
SPEAK • PERSUADE • DEBATE
Years 5-10 • 9am–3pm • No experience needed
Places are limited so every student gets plenty of opportunities to participate.