Latest Competition News

Some activity in the Premier's Debating Challenge is postponed to support efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 and maintain the safety and well-being of students and staff. Teams from an area where the current advice is to keep students at home if possible will need to wait before continuing in the competition, and we'll be in touch with teachers as soon as the health advice changes. Teams outside of those areas can continue to debate but must do so online as an added protection against COVID-19. If you have any queries about the competition please contact the Speaking Competitions Officer at (02) 8512 1172 or email debating@det.nsw.edu.au

The 2020 champions from James Ruse Agricultural nervously watching the adjudication of the state final

Last year was a bit different, with the Premier’s Debating Challenge for Years 9&10 working as an online modified knock-out competition that included a second chance repechage draw. Congratulations to James Ruse Agricultural High School who took advantage of that repechage opportunity and won their way right through to the state final and eventually to a state championship, which you can see them claim at the bottom of this page. Congratulations also to their opponents in the final, Cammeraygal High School and to all the quarter finalists - Normanhurst Boys High School, Merewether High School, Sydney Girls High School, St George Girls High School, Caringbah High School and Port Hacking High School.

Years 9&10 Information

The Year 9&10 Debating Challenge, organised by The Arts Unit of the NSW Department of Education, dates back to 1950 when the Teasdale brothers donated a trophy for a debating competition between North Sydney Region Boys Schools. By 1979 the Teasdale Cup had expanded to include schools from Picton in the south to Wyong in the north. In 1982 it became a state-wide competition.

You can check out the list of past state champions by clicking here, and you can watch the 2020 final below or go to Vimeo to watch the debate. There you'll have more options like being able to download the video or jump between speakers by clicking on their times. Congratulations again to these debaters and everyone who made the competition such a success.