Debating Wallabies is a great way for mid-primary students to take their first steps into the world of debating!
Student to Teacher Ratio 9:1Give students an introduction to the essential elements of value debates, including cases, point structure, rebuttal and persuasive speaking.
Focus in on a specific concept in more depth each term in a welcoming & supportive environment.
Provide students the opportunity to participate in a range of debates on different topics across the term.
Monday
3:50PM - 5:50PM
3rd February - 7th April
10 Weeks
$630
Monday
4:00PM - 5:30PM
10th February - 7th April
9 Weeks
$450
Tuesday
3:45PM - 5:15PM
4th February - 8th April
10 Weeks
$480
Wednesday
5:00PM - 6:30PM
5th February - 9th April
10 Weeks
$480
Thursday
4:30PM - 6:30PM
13th February - 10th April
9 Weeks
$495
Thursday
5:00PM - 6:30PM
13th February - 10th April
9 Weeks
$450
Friday
3:50PM - 5:50PM
7th February - 11th April
10 Weeks
$630
Friday
4:00PM - 5:30PM
7th February - 4th April
9 Weeks
$450
Saturday
11:15AM - 12:45PM
8th February - 12th April
10 Weeks
$480
Saturday
2:00PM - 3:30PM
1st February - 29th March
9 Weeks
$495
Saturday
3:15PM - 4:45PM
8th February - 5th April
9 Weeks
$450
Saturday
2:20PM - 3:50PM
8th February - 5th April
9 Weeks
$432
Book in quick for Term 1, 2025!
Key Features
Term Focuses
Whilst Debating Wallabies always covers the essential concepts involved in value debating – cases, arguments and rebuttal – the focus of the program changes every term, with the following emphases for 2025:
While it’s recommended that students try each of these focuses, and the emphases change each year, there is no particular need to start with any of them, meaning students are welcome to join at any time!
More Information
The key to winning any debate is not any individual performance – instead, it is how well a team works together that determines their success.
Our Term #1 program focuses on Comparative Cases, and how debaters can work as a team to best persuade their adjudicator. In addition to the other essential debating skills – argumentation, rebuttal and persuasive speaking – students will take a deep dive into the world of undefined terms, criteria and comparisons, and how they can use these tools to link their points with what they need to prove as a team to win debates.
These are then tied into a range of speaking activities and debates, all with plenty of personalised feedback, to help them put these concepts into practice.
Over the course of the term, students in the Comparative Cases program will have the opportunity to:
Our Debating Wallabies program is a mixed-level class for students in Years 3 & 4, and aims to help:
We usually recommend that students continue with Debating Wallabies throughout Years 3 & 4 – there is a different focus every term, so there’s always something new for students to learn!
Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss what’s best for your child!
Fostering a Nurturing Class Environment
Each program commences with the coach creating a welcoming class environment and ensuring that all students grasp the fundamental rules and concepts of debating – ensuring everyone, regardless of experience, is on the same page.
The initial sessions also incorporate various speaking activities to aid students in honing their debating skills.
Developing Comparative Cases
For the Comparative Cases focus for our Wallabies program, students will generally cover:
Practice Debates
In addition to all the theory, students will have the opportunity to participate in multiple practice debates and speaking activities during the term. Each debate will be on a different topic, and students will have the opportunity to speak in different roles each time.
End of Term Presentation
Each term ends with a presentation, either to peers or parents (depending on the venue). This is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase what they’ve learned over the course of the term and continue their confidence-building journey.
Students generally spend the last session or two preparing and practising their debating speeches for the presentation.
Coaches will also provide an update to parents on what was covered during the term, as well as what comes next for the students’ debating journeys.
As a mixed-experience program, our Debating Wallabies program is designed to be completed multiple times – with a different focus every term, there’s always something new for students to take away from the program!
Alternatively, if your child wants to try public speaking, our Public Speaking Wombats program teaches students all the essential skills they need to become great public speakers!
However, if you’re looking for something during a school break, you may want to try one of our holiday workshops, such as Speaking Camp Kangaroos, which builds on the skills learned during the term.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or get in touch using our contact form to learn more!
The course is excellent for kids to build up confidence and skills to speak in front of public, my 8 year old kid gains a lot of benefits from this course, he'll definitely continue this course next year.
Under the circumstances with Coronavirus, I feel that the staff handled the situation very well. They kept me informed about measures put into place to safe guard and keep students at Burwood Campus safe.
The program is very well structured and delivered effectively for my twins to build on their Debating Skills. Zoom lessons were very well organized and with no drawbacks.
Thank you all for your great work with all the students!
Of the dozens of Wallabies students surveyed in 2023...
had fun!
felt more confident!
improved their speaking manner!
wanted to come back next time!
