During the upcoming holidays, we will be offering many of our workshops both in-person and online.

For the most part, there is very little that separates our online and physical programs – both are interactive, cover the same theoretical concepts, and give students a range of opportunities to practice and develop their skills. Whilst some activities are different between the two, as some activities lend themselves better to physical or online classes, the actual learning outcomes remain the same for both classes.

Importantly, the timing of each workshop does differ:

• Our in-person workshop runs between 9:00am and 3:00pm over three days;
• Our online program runs between 9:30am and 1:00pm over four days.

Notably, the difference in price between each isn’t an indication of the quality of the program, or how much students will get out of the experience – both get the same amount of attention and care, and we’ve found some students develop better in an online environment.  The deviation instead is simply a result of the higher costs (such as venue hire, administrative staff and sanitation) associated with running classes face-to-face.

Whilst children appear to not be at particularly high risk from COVID-19, SSA places their safety (and the safety of our coaches) as our highest priority.  This emphasis on safety is the first tier of our teaching policy.

We generally consider the risk of transmission at our programs to be very unlikely.  This is for three reasons:

1. From a general perspective, whilst children are not immune, they do show substantially milder symptoms than adults, and appear to catch and transmit the virus at lower rates.
2. Local transmission rates are currently low, and the Government is acting very cautiously in removing restrictions – most people who catch the virus are quarantined, as are any known close contacts, which has significantly limited the spread of the virus.
3. We have put in place a range of extra protections that are reviewed continuously for best practice, and seek to keep students as safe as possible.

We have prepared our COVID-19 Action Plan, which outlines the three methods we are using to keep students safe.

Whilst you are very welcome to read the Action Plan in full, the three elements are:

1. Symptom Testing – whilst we instruct all parents not to send students displaying symptoms (or awaiting test results), we will be using temperature checks and coach training to ensure that any students who show symptoms are isolated and removed from programs;
2. Limited Exposure – there are a range of steps in place to help ensure that students (and parents) socially distance, and limit the chance of spreading the virus; and
3. Enhanced Sanitation – we have adopted hand and surface cleaning regimens to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Additionally, we will also be continuing to offer online programs for the foreseeable future. This will help ensure that parents and students who are uncomfortable with physical classes have an alternative that allows them to feel safe, whilst still receiving a quality education in public speaking and debating.

Please check out our COVID-19 Action Plan here, or get in touch if you have any questions!

Our Speaking Camp Koalas workshop is a beginner level program.

In short, anyone who is in Years 3 & 4 who hasn’t received formal public speaking or debating coaching would benefit from undertaking this course.  The program is designed to cater to a wide range of ability and confidence levels.  Whether shy or outgoing, naturally talented or in need of some direction, students almost always come out of the program having learned something new, and feeling more confident in their speaking ability.

We would also recommend this program for students who have completed our Year 1 & 2 programs (including our Tabby Cats and Tigers holiday programs, and Leopards and Lions weekly term programs) – our Speaking Camp Koalas program looks at public speaking in a different light to our early primary programs, and introduces students to the world of debating, so still has plenty to offer students in these circumstances.

That said, if your child has formal coaching in both public speaking and debating from another provider, or has already completed one of our Year 3 & 4 programs (like our Public Speaking Wallabies or Debating Wallabies weekly programs), they may be better suited in our more experienced Speaking Camp Kangaroos program – please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your personal circumstances in more depth!

Over the course of the Speaking Camp Koalas workshop, students will have the opportunity to:

• learn the essential building blocks which form persuasive speeches;
• be introduced to the fundamentals of debating, with a particular focus on ‘comparative’ debates;
• participate in a wide range of speaking-based activities, both as individuals and as part of small groups, which seek to make them more comfortable presenting to a class; and
• enjoy a positive, fun and welcoming environment where they can develop their newfound skills with confidence.

Connecting with Audiences

The first part of the workshop focuses on relationships.

The program starts by creating strong relationships between the students, as well as the students and their coach, in order to create a welcoming class atmosphere.  Students are then taken through the importance of connecting with their audiences, and how speeches essentially represent a relationship between the speaker and those listening to the presentation.

Developing Persuasive Speeches

As students progress, they will look at how their own opinions and experiences can supply the bedrock of a good speech.  Students will have various opportunities to share and justify their opinions as presentations to their peers, as well as receive plenty of individual feedback from their coaches to help them develop.

Dipping into Debating

Students will, on their second day, be given the opportunity to delve further into the world of debating – whilst not covered in too much depth, students are exposed to the rules and fundamental concepts involved in debating, with the hope that it will pique their interest and form the basis of a lifelong passion.

Final Presentations

On the final day, students will finalise and give their final presentations to the class, and parents are invited to sit in and watch. This is a great opportunity for students to present to a fuller audience, which not only helps them develop their confidence, but also represents an opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned over the program!

Whilst COVID-19 restrictions are in place, and parents aren’t allowed on campus for in-person programs, we will be filming student presentations, and distributing them to parents shortly after the programs wraps up.

Our classes vary in size every holiday depending on how many bookings we receive – however, the maximum size of our Speaking Camp Koalas class is 8 students per coach, with a maximum of 16 students per class.

If there aren’t any spots left, it’s usually because we’ve hit capacity – please get in touch with us and we’ll see what we can do about either opening an extra class, fitting your child into the existing class, or putting you on a waitlist in case any students pull out!

After each program, students will get to keep:

• a personal feedback sheet prepared by their coach, which goes through what they’ve improved on, and what still needs some work;
• a certificate recognising their achievements at the workshop;
• a booklet that they’ve completed, which contains the essential concepts covered during the workshop; and
• hopefully a more positive perspective on both public speaking and debating!