The 2024 Australian Schools Open debating competition is the country ’ s first in-person national schools debating championship. The 2024 ASO is open to students across Australia and New Zealand, from year 7-year 12 (NSW definition). It will utilise the Australian 3 v 3 style, and take place in-person in Sydney, though interstate and New Zealand teams may join remotely.
Students can form their own teams of 3, and do not need to be from the same school. Schools can enter unlimited teams, and national and state / provincial teams and squads may participate.
Join us on Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd of September for a chance to be crowned Australia ’ s first national schools debating champion!
Details
When: Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September
Where: TBD Sydney Location (Most likely Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview)
Cost: $220 AUD per person ($660 AUD per team), including GST.
Style: Australian 3 v 3 Convenor and Chief
Adjudicator: TBD
Rules and Prizes
Prep time: 30 minutes from release of topic.
Speaking times: warning bell at 6 minutes, 2 bells at 8, continuous at 8.15.
Team numbers: 3 teams (debates comprise of 2 teams of 3 students). No fourth speakers except by request from school coordinators.
There are no points of information or reply speeches.
The winning team will be the inaugural ASO Champions, and the first ever national schools debating champion in Australia.
The top 10 individual speakers will be announced and awarded.
Grand-finalists and top 10 speakers will also be eligible for one term of free lessons from Speakers ’ Corner.
The registration link: https://forms.gle/5AaAnhH1s5951UJb6
Payment link for teams: https://buy.stripe.com/28obMbfhZ8Nb9Lq6qq
Payment link for individuals: https://buy.stripe.com/7sIcQfgm3aVjcXC6qp
Timing And Structure (All times are Sydney times)
Saturday
9.00am: Check-in
9.30: Briefing
10.00: Round 1 topic release
10.30: Round 1
12.00pm: lunch
12.45: Round 2 topic release
1.15: Round 2
2.45: Round 3 topic release
3.15: Round 3
4.30: Day 1 concludes
Sunday
9.00am: Check-in
9.30: Round 4 topic release
10.00: Round 4
11.30: QF topic release, Lunch
12.00pm: Quarter-finals
1.30: SF topic release
2.00: Semi-finals
3.30: GF topic release
4.00: Grand-final
5.30: Closing Ceremony
Adjudication
The ASO will feature world-class adjudicators from Sydney, Australia, and beyond, including finalists of the World and Australasian championships, and adjudicators of elite local and international high school competitions.
Break Size
We are expecting between 40 and 80 teams to join. With 8 teams making finals, teams will will need to go undefeated to guarantee a place in the finals, or else will need 3 wins and favourable speaker points.
Extra Training
Optional training sessions can be purchased using the payment link. They will run on Zoom from 6-8pm in the weeks prior to the competition and cost $30 AUD per session per person.
Payment link for individual training session (per person per session): https://buy.stripe.com/cN26rR8TBd3r0aQ4ij
Frequently Asked Questions
Staffing
Schools staff are not required to attend, and Speakers ’ Corner will provide all required supervision. In fact, students can enter independently, without the assistance of schools. Of course, coordinators and coaches are most welcome, and we encourage parents and carers to attend.
Age Eligibility
The competition is open to any student from year 7 to year 12.
Deadlines
Deadline for registration is the 14th of September.
For More Information
Speakers ’ Corner is a debating and public speaking academy based created and run by experienced, successful debaters. We provide high-level coaching to students of all ages and skills through schools programs and our independent group and private classes. These coaching programs marry our world-class curriculum with an unparalleled network of national and international champions.
We also host and enter teams into elite competitions, including not only the ASO, but also competitions in partnership with Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge.
So whether you ’ re a student looking to take your debating to the next level or a teacher looking for assistance with a school debating program reach out to Speakers ’ Corner at info@speakerscornerau.com and check out our website https://www.speakerscornerau.com/
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