Gather round people I’ll l tell you a story

An eight-year long story of hard work and pride

Because from little things, big things grow.

The tune to Paul Kelly’s iconic song swirls around as we fondly reflect on how Speaking Schools started and how it has evolved and grown to what it has become in 2025.

Our First Holiday Workshops

Founded in 2015 in response to a lack of public speaking and debating coaching on the lower North Shore of Sydney, Sydney Speaking School (as it was then known) was a drop in the ocean.

To give you a better idea, our very first program comprised a modest number of twenty-six students and four coaches. The summer cicadas were chirping, Sydney’s heat was sweltering, and our eager and enthusiastic team were fully fuelled with adrenaline and excitement – Summer 2015 was the first step towards a bright future!

The Early Years

Over the first few years of our existence, we slowly grew our organisation to provide more and more students with the soft skills they need in modern classrooms.

After building up our presence on the Lower North Shore across 2015, we really started to find our feet in 2016 when we:

• Ran our first in-school program in Term #1;
• Opened our first set of weekly term programs in Term #2; and
• Expanded our holiday workshops to Western Sydney during the July Holidays.

This was followed in 2017 & 2018 with a branding change – becoming ‘Australian Speaking Schools’ in July 2017, and adopting our animal icons for the first time in late 2018. These two years also had a number of firsts for us, including:

• our first foray into another city;
• running our first interschool programs; and
• our first-ever international programs over in China.

Across 2019, we continued to expand, opening multiple new holiday and term program venues, working with a range of new schools and running a record number of overseas programs.

This last point is of particular note – over the two years we worked in China, we took six trips across to Hangzhou and Chengdu, helping hundreds of school and university students improve their English, critical thinking and communication skills through various intensive public speaking and debating workshops. This was in addition to over a thousand students participating in our online programs and competitions over this period.

It also marked the year that we settled on our forever name – Speaking Schools Australasia – and began expanding the management team into what it is today.

The Lockdowns

Like everyone worldwide, early 2020 brought some substantial changes to SSA. Having heard about this new flu going around China and Italy, like most, we didn’t overthink it at first – at least not until we were forced to cancel all of our in-person programs in March 2020 (ironically, across the two weeks straddling our Managing Director’s wedding, which was substantially smaller than first planned).

Thankfully, our experience with China meant that we were already experts in online program offerings, and we were able to adapt our programs online very quickly – one of the few organisations that were able to do so.

Over 2020 (and then again in the second lockdown in 2021), we were able to offer our unique brand of public speaking and debating classes online, catering for an even wider audience than we had ever hoped – reduced running costs meant that we were able to offer programs at a lower price point, and the digital nature of the classes meant that students could join from anywhere (we even had students join from all over the world, from Iran to Ireland).

This period also allowed us to work on some of our other major projects, the two biggest being the Speaking Syllabus (which is now the largest set of public speaking and debating resources in Australia) and our first set of YouTube videos, our Conquering Debating and Speak to Inspire series (which are both still very popular on YouTube today, racking up just under a thousand views a day on average).

The Present Day

As we moved away from lockdowns, SSA has continued to thrive – since January 2022, we have:

• helped thousands of students build their self-confidence and speaking skills;
• opened nine new venues for term programs in Sydney;
• worked with dozens of schools to help their students feel more confident;
• maintained our online public speaking and debating coaching;
• run multiple interschool competitions;
• been listed as a finalist in the Australian Small Business Champions Awards two years running; and
• begun expansions into both Melbourne and Brisbane!

We are living proof that from little things, big things grow.

Speaking Schools Australasia could not have done it alone. The reason we are standing here lies in the hard work and sacrifices of not only its founders, Dan and Mark, but every single family member, friend and member of staff who has given their time, invested their passion and devoted their energy to its journey of transformation.  The parent and student community who believed in us and returned for more programs, for those who helped spread the word, for those who gave us a chance – we thank you. Nothing in life is done entirely alone – it takes others, often a community, to make the impossible possible!

Our goal has been (and will continue to be) to provide as many students as possible – whether shy or outgoing – with the tools they need to flourish as confident, articulate, and engaging speakers.

We are confident our future will continue to be bright as we hold onto our values, our integrity, and choose quality – every single time.

We look forward to you sharing many more years to come!

Over the past two months, students at SSA have been hard at work preparing, practising and presenting their speeches for the our third public speaking competition, the Rising Voices Public Speaking Championship.

Last weekend saw the culmination of the Championship, with 24 participants vying for a trophy across four age divisions.

This year, the theme of the competition was ‘Empowerment’, where all speakers were asked to devise and deliver a speech on a topic that relates to this theme. Each age group had five topics they could choose from, ranging from ‘How can I be a leader’ for Stage #1 students to ‘Equal opportunity = equal respect’ for Stage #4 students.

Our three judges – Luisa, Cassidy and Rani – had a huge task determining only four champions across the four divisions. Despite having an incredibly tough time deciding between all the exceptional presentations – which took twice as long as we had scheduled, given the difficulty of the decision – they eventually emerged with four champions:

• Stage #1 – Ashlyn
• Stage #2 – Samouel
• Stage #3 – Mar
• Stage #4 – Rohan

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who joined us in showing support for these remarkable young speakers.

Finally, a big congratulations to all the winners and finalists – we feel empowered by the remarkable skill, effort and charisma you showed throughout the competition!

What is the Rising Voices Championship?

The Rising Voices Public Speaking Championship is an exciting competition that encourages students to hone their speaking skills and share their ideas with others.

Building off previous iterations of the SSA Cup in 2022 and the Sydney Speaking Competition in 2021, this year’s theme was “Empowerment,” providing contestants with a chance to discover how their voices can make a positive impact on themselves and those around them.

The competition was divided into four divisions: Stage #1 (Years 1 & 2), Stage #2 (Years 3 & 4), Stage #3 (Years 5 & 6) and Stage #4 (Years 7 – 9), each with a different set of topics that they could choose from.

All participants were judged on three primary criteria: manner (body language, eye contact, vocal variety and overall delivery), matter (the content of their speech) and method (speech structure).

Stage #3 and Stage #4 students were also judged in an Impromptu Category, in which they were given 5 minutes to prepare a speech on the topics “Courage” and “Kindness” respectively.

While there can only be three champions in each division, every participant delivered remarkable speeches that truly stood out. Keep reading to discover the complete lists of finalists and winners from this year’s competition!

The Empowering Qualities of Public Speaking

Public speaking is an important skill that empowers students in a variety of ways.

Firstly, it helps students develop confidence and self-esteem. By speaking in front of an audience, students are forced to confront their fears and overcome them. This makes them more confident and self-assured in their day-to-day lives, empowering them to seek out positive changes they can make in the world.

Secondly, public speaking is a great way to improve critical and creative thinking skills. When students are given a topic to speak about, they are forced to research and think critically in order to develop a compelling argument. This not only improves their critical thinking abilities, but also their creativity. By presenting new and innovative ideas to an audience, students are empowered to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems.

Finally, public speaking is an important tool for leadership development. Effective leaders are able to communicate their vision and inspire their teams. Public speaking provides an opportunity for students to develop these leadership skills by presenting their ideas to a group of people. By learning how to engage and persuade an audience, students are empowered to become future leaders in their communities and careers.

Finalists & Winners at Rising Voices 2023

Division #1 (Years 1 & 2)

Congratulations to the six finalists selected for the Stage #1 Division of the Rising Voices Championship 2023!

Ashlyn – First Place

William – Second Place

Ridhi – Third Place

Jasper – Special Award

Chloe – Finalist

Pia – Finalist

Division #2 (Years 3 & 4)

Our heartfelt congratulations to the six finalists chosen for the Stage #2 Division of the Rising Voices Championship 2023!

Samouel – First Place

William – Second Place

Hugo – Third Place

Brian – Special Award

Joanna – Finalist

Rocky – Finalist

A particular congratulations to Samouel, who was also the first-placed participant in the Stage #2 division of the SSA Cup in 2022!

Division #3 (Years 5 & 6)

We extend our warmest congratulations to the six extraordinary finalists selected for the Stage #3 Division of the Rising Voices Championship 2023!

Mar – First Place

Kiara – Second Place

Brian – Third Place

Lachlan – Special Award

Ishaq – Finalist

Sumin – Finalist

Special congratulations to Mar, who also achieved the first-place position in the Stage #3 division of the SSA Cup in 2022!

Division #4 (Years 7 – 9)

We extend our warmest congratulations to the six extraordinary finalists selected for the Stage #3 Division of the Rising Voices Championship 2023!

Rohan – First Place

Anna – Second Place

Layla – Third Place

Giorgia – Special Award

Dawsen – Finalist

Gurkiret – Finalist

Public speaking has the remarkable ability to empower students, fostering real change within ourselves and our communities.

While it demands hard work and dedication, the potential rewards, on a personal and professional level, are immense.

At Speaking Schools Australasia, we believe that every child should have access to public speaking education as part of their schooling so that they can be empowered to be confident communicators who can advocate for meaningful contributions within their communities.

Congratulations once again to our esteemed winners Ashlyn, Samouel, Mar, and Rohan. May this experience leave a lasting impression on all our finalists, instilling them with invaluable lessons and cherished memories!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported us throughout this event and look forward to more competitions to come – thank you for being a part of our journey!

We are thrilled to announce that Speaking Schools Australasia (SSA) has been named a winner at the North Shore Local Business Awards.

We were recognised for our Outstanding Education Service and are incredibly proud to have been chosen amongst a group of excellent local businesses.

What are the Local Business Awards?

The Local Business Awards are one of the most well-recognised awards in Australia, and recognise & celebrate the contributions and achievements of small businesses across the country.

The aim is to help boost local businesses by fostering a sense of community, promoting local trade, and recognising successful businesses.

These awards cover various categories, from food and drink to education and health, and are a great way for small businesses to showcase their achievements.

What was SSA chosen for?

SSA was a finalist for excellence in our business outline, features and achievements. We were recognised for our strong promotion, top-quality products and customer service, as well as our success over the past two years. We were applauded for managing and monitoring customer satisfaction extremely well. As educators, this is a fundamental part of our business and we are proud to be recognised for this.

It was a great opportunity to celebrate the successes of small businesses from across Australia, and we were so proud to be recognised as winners in the “Outstanding Education Service” category. The night was also a beautiful moment to meet other people with like-minded goals. It showed us how enthusiastic people can be when it comes to having an impact on the future of our students. Our aim has always been to help guide the next generations to be more confident and to help them achieve success. Winning this award has reaffirmed that we are on the right track and that our hard work is paying off.

This instilled confidence in our team that despite the challenges of the last few years, not only are we doing the right thing, but also that we are part of a larger community working together to help students develop holistically. Our core aim at SSA is to ensure that every student has access to quality education that helps them become confident and successful individuals. Winning this award is a significant milestone for us, and it encourages us to continue striving towards excellence.

Our Co-Founder’s Words

On the night, our Co-Founder and Managing Director – Mark Slaven – was given the opportunity to say a few words:

I’d firstly like to thank my wonderful team who I have up here with me today – Tennyson, Mayela, Marianne, Anna, Zara, Rani, Belinda and Rob. I’d also like to thank my wonderful wife Steph, who cannot be here this evening…

And then I’d finally like to thank all of the wonderful parents, but most of all I’d like to thank all of the phenomenal students who come in day-in, day-out. We do public speaking and debating coaching, it’s not something easy for kids to learn and it can be quite daunting for them. The fact that our kids give it their all is absolutely amazing, so a big thank you to them. 

In conclusion, winning the North Shore Local Business Awards for Outstanding Education Service has been a momentous occasion for us at SSA.

We are proud to have our efforts acknowledged and celebrated, and we remain committed to providing quality education and supporting the holistic development of our students.

We thank the Local Business Awards for providing us with a platform to showcase our achievements and the opportunity to connect with other businesses.

We are also grateful to our staff, students, and parents for their support, which has contributed significantly to our success.

Sharing some insight into the gifts 2022 has delivered.

What a year it has been!

As the tinsel begins to weave around banisters, Christmas trees and Christmas lights begin to flash reminding us that the festive season is nigh. The colour and vibrancy are also accompanied by the endless demands of our energy and time; tying loose ends, and doing our best to appease others. The festive season can sadly transform from a time of joviality to one that is all-consuming, which may leave us feeling far more taxed – in every way – hence the urgency to carve out some time to take stock of what is important and what this season truly represents.

2022 has been a whirlwind of a year, and if there is something we can take away from it is that we could all learn to slow down, to turn inward, and to take better care of ourselves. However,  as the end of the year approaches, it is almost inevitable that we will begin to do the opposite. With endless invitations, gifts to buy, packages to send, cards to write, a long list of to-dos to tick off, and last-minute projects to complete, we are often left feeling depleted, drained and lose sight of the important lesson we were gifted with this year.

As caregivers, community leaders, neighbours, and teachers it is important that we instil the true value and meaning of Christmas and model it accordingly. This time of year is about reconnecting with those we have potentially lost touch with, or have forcefully been separated from due to the pandemic and its subsequent restrictions. Perhaps this Christmas, especially in Australia, should be really appreciated more than ever, especially given international travel has resumed – allowing loved ones to reunite and the opportunity to make more memories – allowing us to make up for the time we lost apart!

Perhaps Christmas 2022 will reinforce one particular inalienable truth: experiences are what we etch into our heart and minds as we grow older – they are what we truly learn to hold close and provide a map of our past, present and future. They bridge the gap between generations and can often lead to stronger bonds. So this Christmas, instead of putting more pressure to consume, perhaps we should pause again, ration out our time wisely, and focus more on connecting with those that matter the most. Sharing laughter, good food, banter, and experiences – all which are gifts that will keep on giving and hold the true essence of Christmas.

Whether we believe in the magic of Christmas or not, we can take action to create magic in our own lives, the lives of our loved ones and take a huge dose of gratitude and simplicity into 2022.

We wish you all a joyous, safe, and memorable Christmas, hope to see you in the best of health and spirits in 2023!

Last weekend was an exciting one for Speaking Schools Australasia, as we held our very first internal public speaking competition. With 22 finalists being selected from 75 registered competitors across three age divisions, the competition was fierce. The theme of the speeches was ‘making a difference’ and the finalists were asked to deliver their speech on a topic related to this theme.

Our two judges, Adrian and Nida, had a big job selecting only three winners from each age division. The judges had a tough time deciding between all the exceptional speeches, but in the end, we found our three winners from each division— Josiah (Stage 1), Samouel (Stage 2), and Mar (Stage 3). We would like to thank everyone who came along to support these amazing young speakers. Congratulations to all finalists—you made us so proud with your passionate speeches on making a difference!

What Is The Speaking Schools Cup?

The Speaking Schools Cup is a public speaking competition that encourages students to practice their speaking skills and express their ideas in front of an audience. This year’s theme was “Making A Difference”, which gave contenders the opportunity to explore how they can use their voices to bring positive change in their schools or communities.

The competition was divided into three divisions: Stage #1 (Years 1 & 2), Stage #2 (Years 3 & 4) and Stage #3 (Years 5 & 6). All participants were judged on criteria such as manner (body language, eye contact, vocal variety and overall delivery), matter (the content of their speech) and method (speech structure). Stage #3 students were also judged in an Impromptu Category, in which they were given 5 minutes to prepare a speech on the topic ‘The Power of a Smile’. And while there can only be three winners per division, everyone who competed shone brightly with their remarkable speeches. Make sure to keep reading to see the full lists of finalists and winners from this year’s competition!

Making A Difference Through Public Speaking

Public speaking is an invaluable skill that can help you make a lasting impact in your community. Not only does it give you confidence and self-assurance, but it also teaches you how to effectively communicate your own unique point of view. By learning how to articulate your message in an effective way and reach out to others through your words, you can truly make a difference and inspire change in your community.

Public speaking is a critical skill that helps children build confidence as they grow up. It teaches them to take risks, think critically about complex topics and share their thoughts in front of an audience—all important skills that will serve them well for years to come. Even if your child isn’t competing in talking competitions like this one, you can still help them hone their public speaking abilities by encouraging them to talk about something they’re passionate about or ask questions during class discussions at school.

At Speaking Schools Australasia, we believe that every child should have access to public speaking education as part of their schooling curriculum. We strive to provide children with the tools they need for success by teaching them how to speak confidently in front of an audience, how to organize their thoughts into logical arguments or stories, and how to use language effectively when delivering their speech. Our aim is for every student enrolled at our schools to become not just proficient speakers, but confident communicators too!

The Speaking Schools Cup

The Speaking Schools Cup was created with these values in mind. We wanted this competition not only to be fun and rewarding for participants but also to be a chance for students who are passionate about public speaking to hone their skills even further. Through this competition we wanted students to learn about different topics related to ‘making a difference’ whilst also having fun discussing them with others who share similar interests. There were some fantastic entries from each division which made judging especially difficult! Congratulations again to our winners Josiah, Samouel and Mar—we hope you continue pursuing public speaking opportunities in future!

Finalists and Winners of the SSA Cup 2022 (Full List):

Stage #1 (Year 1 & 2)

Congratulations to the 8 Finalists Selected for the Stage #1 Division of the SSA Cup 2022!

Josiah – First Place

Chloe – Second Place

Avyan – Third Place

Hugo – Special Award

Gemma – Finalist

Jeevan – Finalist

Tara – Finalist

Joanna – Finalist

Stage #2 (Year 3 & 4)

Congratulations to the 8 Finalists Selected for the Stage #2 Division of the SSA Cup 2022!

Samouel – First Place

Sarvesh – Second Place

Lydia – Third Place

Jessica – Special Award

Leon – Special Award

Timothy – Finalist

Anna – Finalist

Catherine – Finalist

Stage #3 (Year 5 & 6)

Congratulations to the 6 Finalists Selected for the Stage #3 Division of the SSA Cup 2022!

Mar – First Place

Chrissa – Second Place

Ian – Third Place

Aditya – Special Award

Hazel – Finalist

Namie – Finalist

Making A Difference Through Public Speaking is an incredibly powerful way of creating real change within communities. It requires hard work and dedication but provides huge rewards both personally and professionally. At Speaking Schools Australasia we believe that every child should have access to public speaking education as part of their schooling curriculum so that they can develop into confident communicators who can make meaningful contributions within their community. Congratulations again to our winners Josiah, Samouel and Mar—we hope all our finalists take away something valuable from this experience! Thank you again for supporting us during this event – here’s looking forward to many more successful competitions yet to come!

Public speaking and debating are skills that can take a long time to nurture. In fact, the most valuable knowledge about these activities is usually passed down from generation to generation, the experiences collected through years of participation being transferred on through coaching and judging.

We like to think of this pool of intergenerational knowledge as an ecosystem, with many important participants passing information to and from each other. For example, the kids who excel at their first public speaking task in school often have parents or an older sibling who was able to help them out with some useful advice before the task!

At Speaking Schools, we try to expand this ecosystem of knowledge to as many students as possible by connecting knowledgeable coaches with kids from all across Australasia. An amazing aspect of our role in this ecosystem is our strong connection to the thriving university debating scene that exists in Australia.

What is University Debating?

University debating is a voluntary activity that university students participate in through their university debating societies. University debating has over a century of rich history in Australia and is participated in by more than a dozen universities in the country at both the national and international levels. Australia is the world’s most successful country at the World Debating Championships, producing more world champions than any other country.

How Does Speaking Schools Australasia Support University Debating?

A big part of Australia’s success is a thriving calendar of debating tournaments, which often centre around the annual national championships. Affectionately known as “Easters” due to the time of year the event is held, the Australian Intervarsity Debating Championships brings together university debaters from all across the country. We have been proudly sponsoring this and many other events since 2017, including:

Greater Sydney Universities Invitational Round Robin 2022
Australian University Debating Championships from 2017 to 2024
Australasian Women & Gender Minorities Debating Championships from 2017 to 2023
National Schools Debating Championships from 2022 to 2023

You can read about the details of these tournaments on our about page!

Coach Success Stories

Through supporting these university debating competitions, we have also supported the development of some amazing coaches who now work for us at Speaking Schools Australasia. At our most recent sponsored event, Monash Easters 2022, our coaches Leah Mercier, Brendan Winters, and Michael Xu were respectively awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall best speaker in Australia! Our coaches also made major achievements as adjudicators at the tournament, with Jerry Edagbami (chair) and Natasha Lloyd being honoured judges of the Grand Final.

We are so passionate about connecting coaches who have achieved these learning experiences with our students at SSA. Their years of hard work at university create huge amounts of intergenerational knowledge that can be passed down through programs at Speaking Schools Australasia where they can let their experience shine through in their teaching.

You can find out about all our coaches and their achievements at similar competitions by exploring our coach bios on our website!