Debating Parrots is the ideal course for students who are looking to lock in the fundamental skills of debating.
Student to Teacher Ratio 9:1Give students an introduction to the basic concepts of policy debating, including cases, point structure and rebuttal.
Provide students with a range of opportunities to participate in practice debates.
Allow students to build their confidence and practice their skills over the course of the term.
Wednesday
5:30PM - 7:30PM
12th February - 9th April
9 Weeks
$495
Thursday
4:30PM - 6:30PM
13th February - 10th April
9 Weeks
$495
Monday
4:30PM - 6:30PM
10th February - 7th April
9 Weeks
$585
Monday
5:00PM - 6:30PM
3rd February - 7th April
10 Weeks
$480
Tuesday
3:50PM - 5:50PM
4th February - 8th April
10 Weeks
$630
Tuesday
5:20PM - 6:50PM
4th February - 8th April
10 Weeks
$480
Wednesday
5:00PM - 6:30PM
5th February - 9th April
10 Weeks
$480
Thursday
5:00PM - 6:30PM
13th February - 10th April
9 Weeks
$432
Friday
4:00PM - 5:30PM
7th February - 4th April
9 Weeks
$450
Saturday
1:00PM - 3:00PM
8th February - 5th April
9 Weeks
$585
Saturday
2:20PM - 3:50PM
8th February - 5th April
9 Weeks
$432
Saturday
2:40PM - 4:40PM
8th February - 12th April
10 Weeks
$630
Saturday
2:40PM - 4:10PM
8th February - 5th April
9 Weeks
$432
Saturday
3:30PM - 5:30PM
1st February - 29th March
9 Weeks
$675
Book in quick for Term 1, 2025!
Key Features
Term Focuses
Whilst Debating Parrots always covers the fundamental concepts involved in policy debating, 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
It is very normal for debating to come across as intimidating at first – how do these other kids know so much when they don’t have time to research??
But the more involved you get, the more you realise that there aren’t limitless numbers of topics – instead, there are a range of compelling concepts that fall within a limited number of familiar topic areas.
Across Term #1, students in the Debating Parrots program will run through a number of topic areas and how to approach them. Starting with the most common topic areas for this age group – such as education debates – students will be given the opportunity to think about common stakeholders and considerations that come up in those motions, before being able to apply what they learn in debates.
This program connects theoretical concepts to the real world through engaging activities and debates, ensuring learners can apply what they’ve learned. They’ll also receive personalised feedback every step of the way, helping them realise their full potential.
Over the course of the term, students will have the opportunity to:
Our Debating Parrots program is a mixed-level class for students in Years 5 – 7 designed for students starting out in the world of public speaking as well as those with some speaking experience.
Debating Parrots caters for:
We usually recommend that students do at least four terms of Debating Parrots, especially those in Year 5 & 6, before moving up to Debating Pandas to ensure that they cover all the essential concepts inherent to debating and feel comfortable with older students!
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.
Understanding Common Topic Areas
For the Common Concepts focus for our Parrots 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 Parrots 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 Penguins program teaches students all the essential skills they need to become great public speakers!
Once they feel comfortable with debating, coaches may recommend students in Years 6 or 7 (but not students in Year 5) move up to the Intermediate Debating Pandas program, which will help more advanced students engage with more complex concepts alongside older and more experienced debaters.
However, if you’re looking for something during a school break, you may want to try one of our holiday workshops, such as Debating Hawks or Public Speaking Polar Bears (for Year 6 & 7 students), 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!
My son joined the Debating Parrots program last term and it was an enlightening experience. He gained good knowledge on how to structure his debate and understand the rebuttal types. There was lots of practice and good constructive feedback provided to him by his Coach Alex. It was time well spent and Gurkiret always looked forward to the weekly sessions. He learnt and had fun along the way. Looking forward to the next term.
My son enrolled for the first time and we are very happy with his progress even if it is was online session.
The review provided post first term is very helpful for improving his skills.
Of the dozens of Parrots students surveyed in 2023...
had fun!
felt more confident!
improved their speaking manner!
wanted to come back next time!
