For schools ?

Given that nearly all of our volunteers are still in High School, we only run our workshops in December. For 2024, all of our sessions will be run from the 9th-19th of December. All eastern suburbs sessions are full this year, but we still have places in our western suburbs program.

Our workshops cover a variety of topics integral to the debating and public speaking proccess. Our award-winning curriculum covers three broad areas:</p><ul><li>Speechwriting<ul><li> This includes persuasive writing skills and usage of literary devices</li></ul></li><li>Manner<ul><li>This includes speech analysis and usage of gestures, expressions and the voice control methods of tone, volume, and speed.</li></ul></li><li>Rebuttal<ul><li>This includes use of critical thinking skills and improvisation</li></ul></li></ul><p>Our workshops subscribe to the Constructivist learning style, and we aim to foster discussion and a sense of excitement for oratory skills.</p><p>Each of our workshops culminate with a debate between volunteer students, allowing them to demonstrate their knowledge and what they&#8217;ve learnt, reinforcing their learning and providing an opportunity for self-reflection.

All of our workshops are taught by young volunteers, ranging in age from 15-19. These young people are passionate about instilling public speaking skills and making a difference in their community, and are usually deeply embedded within public speaking competitions and debating programs. All volunteers over 18 hold a valid working with childrens check.

Whilst we invite all schools to apply for our workshops, we cannot offer our services everywhere. Most of our volunteers come from Eastern Suburbs, particularly from areas like Oakleigh, Glen Waverley, Clayton and others, as well as our Western Division, which is a more broad in its scope. However, if you do decide to sign up for a session, we will get in contact to try and make it work for you.